Long-form content may feel outdated and boring, but it does have some merit. Meaty publications, if done well, can position you as an authority, boost your brand reputation and improves your organic SEO.

What is long-form content? 

Long-form content is any piece of content, such as blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, or e-books, that is longer and more detailed than typical short-form content you find on social media. What sets it apart is its comprehensive nature, giving a detailed and complete view and usually contains more than 1,000 words. (Source)

So, how can you create long-form content that garners a return on investment of your valuable time?

1. Make Long-Form Content Easy to Digest

Long-form content shines when it’s easy for readers to navigate and quickly find the information they need.

To achieve this, focus on:

  • breaking up your text into short, digestible paragraphs
  • using a conversational tone and avoiding technical jargon
  • incorporating visuals like images, infographics or videos
  • adding Case Studies, testimonials or quotes
  • adding a Table of Contents
  • utilize tools and linking that allow a “read more” option for those seeking more information

Pro Tip: The easier your content is to skim and digest, the more likely readers will stick around and absorb your insights.

2. Turn short pieces or social media into a longer guide

Writing long articles and guides can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re low on time or inspiration. But here’s a workaround: take several shorter posts on related topics and turn them into one comprehensive guide.

Not only does this save you time, but it also lets you repurpose content while delivering tons of value to your readers. You end up with a resource-rich guide that offers a deep dive into a topic, making it a one-stop shop for anyone seeking detailed information.

Pro Tip: You can do the same with your social media campaigns! Compile multiple posts into a longer article, or break down a long guide into bite-sized social media content. It’s a smart way to maximize your efforts and keep your content fresh and engaging across different platforms.

3. Improve the Organic SEO of your posts

Publishing long-form content is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to boosting your brand’s visibility.

Ways to ensure it is working for you long after publication:

  • use descriptive anchor text ie keywords and phrases
  • interlink your content. By connecting related posts through internal links, you create a web of relevant content that not only helps readers navigate your site but also signals to search engines that your content is legitimate.
  • add descriptive (matching) alt text for your images

add descriptive alt text for your images

Pro Tip: Install SEO tracking tools that can give you an SEO score, for blog articles (like this!) we love AIOSEO.

4. Maximize ROI 

At the end of the day, Content Creation is not for everyone — that’s why digital marketers and content creators exist.

Here’s what you can expect if you work with a professional:

• Establish and underscore brand voice. This adds intrinsic value for your brand and helps to elevate its status of it over time. We approach everything from a “brand first” perspective which lends all long-form to a natural shift and repurpose that is easily scheduled out to drive the content loop.
• Pay attention to the metadata. This detail will make your efforts pay off in droves if you meticulously add the details each time, every time.
• Enhance the user experience. We work to earn the trust of your audience which translates to loyalty and engagement. Engaged users are develop a connection with your brand which leads to higher conversion rates. By delving into your expertise we etch out your competitive advantage and educate your customers along the way. Informed customers make informed purchasing decisions which leads to improved customer satisfaction.
• Approach it as a business asset. Essentially we are building a content library and driving long-term traffic. Unlike short-form content, which often generates immediate but short-lived traffic, long-form content can attract visitors over a longer period, thanks to its enduring relevance and depth.
Pro Tip: Don’t work in a silo! Collaboration is paramount to maximizing the work that goes into producing content.

We help with creating solutions that are simple and effective, you can learn more about our simplified approach to digital marketing here.

Amy Perzan Merrill Creative Director at Meringue314
meringue314

Amy Perzan Merrill is a small business brand designer and content creator. Owning and operating her own small business since 2003, Amy's experience has helped her expand her service offering to include mini-marketing plans and systems design. Specializing in sales funnels, social posting plans, WordPress, eCommerce and email marketing to bring your brand to life on a small business budget. She lives near Calgary, Alberta.