A stroll down Vocal's memory lane, helpful tips for new creators.

It is vast, this corridor, and one may easily get lost, as can be said for the many communities on Vocal. I get lost in the sea of information, ideas and articles. I have to swim calmly and try my best to navigate the currents of stories begging to be read. And so I decided to divert my attention to the Vocal Resources ocean for a dip, hoping to find common ground.

Here are some of the interesting articles which I found helpful, and a taste or teaser of what they entail, with the hope that if anyone opts to read this they will click to investigate them in their entirety.

Do you choose the image first, then write, or vice versa.

Picture this: visuals can make or break your content. We all know that we live in an image rich, ultra visual society. Choosing the right visuals for your work isn't as easy as typing a keyword into the Google bar and hitting the search bar; it's an art that should require just as much abstention as your written text. The stakes are high, but the rewards of using the perfect visuals for your work are even higher.

What Can Visuals Do for Me?

Have you considered what a visual can DO for your work? Stop thinking of visuals as simple "add-ons" and begin thinking of visuals as a working part of your content that can enhance your writing in ways that words never could. Visuals can be used to do a few things. First, visuals can be used to further explain your content. Worried your sarcasm will go undetected by readers? A biting GIF will surely explain your intent, leaving no room for confusion.

Secondly, visuals can clarify your message. A short how-to video is a great way to clarify instructions or steps for readers. Thirdly, a visual can create a lasting image or memory in the reader's mind that will stick for a whole lot longer than words alone. Say you are writing about an amazing weight loss story; a before and after image will serve as a much longer lasting, impactful image than words on a page will. Visuals shouldn't be something that you slap onto a project at the end; make sure each visual serves a specific purpose. A good test is to ask: Does this visual explain, clarify, or create an image and memory in the reader’s mind? If the answers are all “no,” keep looking until you find a visual that will work for you.

Picture this: you spend hours creating a story that has the potential to inspire the internet masses. You've researched the keywords, you're absolutely certain it's unique, and your content structure is seriously on point.

Once your story’s published, you wait for the readers to arrive...and there’s nothing more than a trickle.

What went wrong?

Even if you craft content with expert precision, it'll enter the depths of the Internet and fall onto deaf ears if you don’t create a headline that'll catch a reader’s attention.

Story structure is one of the most important aspects of crafting the perfect piece of content. Successful stories are not just about vocabulary, correct grammar, interesting thoughts, or creativity. A well structured story with a focus keyword, informative H3 and section breaks, visuals, and a never-ending source of information is the secret-sauce in capturing the modern-day audience.

Well-performing stories connect the information you present seamlessly, logically, and in an “easily-digestible” manner for your reader. Get your laptops ready, because it’s time to make your next viral hit!

Write What You Know

People write about what they know about. So what you do you know about? Think about the experiences you've had, the places you've been, the people you know, the books you've read, the movies you've seen, and the issues that you care about. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is an expert on something, and many people are experts on more than one thing. For example, if you have been dumped more than twice, you can go ahead and consider yourself an expert on the effects of being broken up with. BAM. There's your article idea. Or, if you have seen every 90's rom-com on Netflix, you are an expert in that particular movie genre––another great idea! Are you a foodie? How about an article on the latest menu trends; you already know what they are! (So does your wallet!)

I also realize that people do not like to read long articles, so I will pause here and go explore some more on my own.

I hope that someone finds this of interest. There is a plethora of helpful information back there in Resources. Start from the end and read unto the now.

Ta ta for now.