Mobile has taken over the world—Ok, maybe that’s a stretch, but it has significantly surpassed desktops and even television in terms of most-used media. At times, it can feel like our lives revolve around our smartphones.
So how do you provide great content in a mobile world? Here are 5 ideas to get you started.
1. Eye-catching, easily digestible content
Your audience isn’t looking for content they need to spend much time on. Content must be snappy, eye-catching and bite-sized. Think in terms of brevity and conciseness—how can you relay your message using the least amount of words? Think short and sweet for headlines. Use images that are sized to the right medium and avoid ones that are complex—minimal detail and good use of white space work best.
2. Overhaul your e-newsletter
Forty-three percent of e-mails are opened on mobile devices, so your e-mail content also needs to be mobile-friendly. If your e-newsletters are long-winded, it’s time for an overhaul. Shorten your descriptions, create clear calls-to-action and use subject lines that are no more than 40 characters (think less is more!)
3. Make it responsive
If you haven’t heard the news, Google currently ranks mobile responsive websites higher than websites that are not responsive. And if more than half of us are all using the Internet via mobile devices, the content we’re reading (on your website or otherwise) needs to fit our screens. If you haven’t moved to responsive website design, the time is now. Responsive websites will also help lower bounce rates, increase positive user experience and provide the potential for better SEO.
4. Visuals are a must
As live video streaming increases in popularity with sites like Periscope, Meerkat and Ustream, an expectation is being set for organizations to create even more visual content. Think short video clips, memes, customized images and behind-the-scenes footage or pictures. Images can also help break up your content, differentiate calls-to-action and entice emotional connections to your message or cause.
5. Touch-friendly design
Remember that when you are viewing a website on your phone, you don’t have the option to use a small cursor to select those hard-to-reach links. Add touch-friendly elements to your website such as carousels, drawers or panels. Use larger font to help make text and links easier to click. When creating your call-to-action links, use large, colorful buttons.
Don’t let the new ways of creating and posting content overwhelm you. In fact, there is no good reason to create new content just for the sake of it being “new.” For nonprofits with limited resources and budgets, the easiest way to start is to do more with what you have and what you know is already working. Leverage your current content by making small tweaks along the way that will make it successful on mobile as well.
