Did you know interactive content convert 2X better than passive content? (Source)
Blogging isn’t just about producing text-based content anymore.
Because with a shortening attention span, your readers won’t really be hooked even when you’re saying something incredibly mind-boggling.
In fact, according to research done by Nielsen Norman Group, the average webpage visits last only for 59 seconds. And it’s only declining.
You only have 8 seconds to hook your readers.
So how do you really grab the visitors’ attention in just a span of 8 seconds?
Well, theoretically, for bloggers and content marketers, it’s simple!
You start the article with a killer introduction. And then follow it up with interactive content. Once the readers are hooked, you provide them with a definite Call To Action and convert them.
Types of Interactive Content
Talking about the types of interactive content, there are plenty. However, not necessarily all of them are applicable to every kind of blogger or marketer.
1. Infographics
It is a very common type of interactive content that makes content more interesting, concise, and easier to consume.
No wonder, Infographics are liked and shared on social media 3X more than any other form of content.
They are also easy to create.
Tools like Canva are free to use with many ready-to-use templates.
2. Videos
Another very popular choice; the consumption of videos is ever-on-increase.
More than 500 million hours of videos are watched on YouTube every day.
In fact, using video on landing pages can increase conversion by 80 percent.
Plug it into your regular web pages/posts and it can instantly boost your engagement rate.
3. Quizzes
There’s a reason why Buzzfeed shells so much quiz-based content. The questions are challenging, entertaining, and engaging that can glue visitors for a very long
According to LeadQuizzes, the average quiz has a 33.6 percent lead capture rate.
Need more reasons to create quizzes?!
4. Assessment
Go to Tony Robbins’ website; he has a “Life Assessment” which is quite engaging, informative, and a great source for him to generate leads.
Assessments include a questionnaire that promises an immediate and high return to individuals.
A great evaluation tool can engross your readers and easily add them to your email list.
5. Games
Of course, creating games requires more investment. It certainly isn’t an ideal fit for everyone.
But if done well, it can be a total game-changer.
The Quint, a top news website in India, created a very interactive ‘The Kaala Dhan Game’ including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi catching black money. Very innovative for news and media platforms. And yes, very interesting and gluing.
6. Contests
If it is packed with some kind of gift or prize, contests are great at engaging your audience, building brands, and generating leads.
And their benefits, directly and indirectly, can seamlessly boost not just your on-page factors but also sales.
7. Calculator
Usually, calculators are effective primarily when it matters to finance. Like, a calc to determine price, create a budget, measure calorie intake, and more.
But there can be plenty of essential and fun calculators for other purposes that can suit various niches easily.
From productivity and numerology to sleep and diet calculator — if you’re creative, you could get plenty of ideas here.
Recommended Read: What is Schema in SEO (Everything You Want to Know)
There are a few other types of interactive content.
Indeed, not each one of them would fit the distinct need of bloggers and marketers.
But given passive content might be losing the charm in optimum engagement and conversion, it’s important that you incorporate interactive content in not just your, at large, content marketing strategy but also in immediate SEO efforts.
Interactive content engages the audience better. According to CMI Survey 2016…
81 percent of participants agree that interactive content grabs attention more effectively than static content.
And when engaged, the visitors will spend more time on your website.
This will positively affect your dwell time and session duration, as well as reduce bounce rate – all of these are key search ranking factors in this Google RankBrain and BERT era. Meaning, you could see a big boost in your organic metrics.
Aside from the SEO aspect, when visitors are spending more time on your website, direct opportunities are seamless. You can collect their emails, sell products, sign them up for the webinar, and whatnot.
So, keep on producing great, text-based articles. But in between, add interactive elements wherever it seems fit.
Still not sure? Check out this quick video from Koozai that explains the benefits of interactive content:
