Use Time to Help the Reader and Yourself
Why?
If the visitor to your web page sees how much time they’ll have to spend – even if it’s not short – it’ll might make them more willing to read on.
How?
Show an estimated time that it will take them to read the web page, based on an average reader’s speed. Then as they read and scroll down the page, update the estimation of time remaining until they finish, by taking into account both the remaining unread parts and also their actual speed of reading.
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Write Your Blog Post With Your Readers
Why?
A fun way to get your readers involved. They will spread the word.
How?
Write the outline and an intro, and ask your readers to fill in the blanks in the outline. Then edit the whole thing to create a coherent (in style and content) complete article.
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Get Your Readers to Spread Your Newsletter
Why?
If they seem to be part of the production, they’ll show off to their friends.
How?
Include the following in your newsletter, something like this: “With a few clicks and in one minute, you can have your very own version of this newsletter. You can pick and choose what to include in it from a variety of articles, videos, quotes, etc. Then you can share your very own version with anyone you think might like it. Click here to get your own version where YOU are the acknowledged editor.” When they click they see a web page that shows the same newsletter with options to change a few parts of it, add other content that you already have for them to include, and even let them write a paragraph or two of their own. Then they can either type in email addresses of who they want to send it to (or use their contact list), or send it to themselves to be later forwarded to others. The newsletter is showing (and is sent with) their name prominently shown as the editor, just like the original newsletter they received had someone’s name showing as the editor.
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A Little Technique to Avoid Reader Fatigue
Why?
You published an article, and now you promote it on multiple platforms (email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) It might take many touches with your reader to get them to read it, but you might be overdoing it at the same time.
How?
Make sure you use a different image with each communication/ touch point. If you don’t, you run the risk of the reader thinking they already read your article, just because they saw the same image so many times. This is especially true if you publish frequently.
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A PDF Reader App for Marketers
Why?
You as a marketer would like to know more about the consumption of your product.
How?
A PDF reader app that the client gets for free with the PDF file you send them or they download. They can, of course, open the PDF file in any other app, but you incentive them to use your app by promising them real time up to date data, surprises, etc. The app has two primary functions:
1. Report to you their consumption of the PDF file (how often, how far they read etc.)
2. A real time communication device that adapts to how they interact with the PDF document (where they currently are, what have they already read, etc.)
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