Header image credit: @fsyfe via Twenty20
There’s no denying the mass appeal of Disney films (particularly since they’ve acquired Pixar and the Star Wars franchise!). Movies like Aladdin and The Lion King are still enjoyable for children and adults alike, even after multiple viewings.
You should strive for your blog posts and other content to have the same effect! In this post, we’ll break down some of the secrets of the success of Disney’s formula and how you can apply it to create more engaging and appealing content.
Know Your Audience
Disney’s success can largely be attributed to their understanding of their target audience.
Your content should address your audience’s needs directly and, importantly, the content should change as your readers’ needs change.
This means lots of market research and flexibility. If you make the effort to get to know your audience, they’ll be more open to getting to know you!
Tell a Compelling Story
Even if you’re making a straightforward infographic with statistical data, there are always ways to tell a story. In fact, sometimes it’s best to show, rather than tell. You can use images to guide your readers through your content and use your statistics to make a statement and get your readers asking questions (which will drive them to continue reading for the answers to those questions!).
If your story (i.e. how all of the information is tied together into a cohesive, readable whole) works, readers will devour your content and want even more!
Make It Personal (and Accessible)
This goes beyond just knowing your audience. Have you noticed that Disney movies connect with children and adults alike? That’s because the films appeal to our empathetic human nature.
We connect with the characters and empathize with them; when they succeed, we feel good!
Your content should resonate with your readers and be accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the topic. In fact, your content should compel the reader to want to learn more!
Happily Ever After (or Something Like That)
Okay, so maybe this is a stretch, but one great takeaway from any Disney movie is that there’s an identifiable beginning, middle, and end.
The conclusion of your piece of content can often be the most important part. It’s the part where you wrap up and reiterate your ideas and where any loose ends get resolved. Can you imagine if Aladdin defeated Jafar and then there was no resolution?
Like Disney, you can create your content to give the reader a feeling of satisfaction from the resolution of your piece. You can also design your content to compel your audience to want more (like Disney does by alluding to a possible sequel at the end of some of their movies) through linking to additional content or using a relevant CTA.
Conclusion
Speaking of conclusions, here’s our wrap-up! Disney makes some of the most memorable films that appeal to adults and children alike. What makes Disney movies so successful is their relatable storytelling and characters. Each Disney story engages the audience and develops characters that we grow to care about.
All of these elements can be applied to your content creation process. Create blog posts and infographics that tell a story and always leave the reader wanting more. With these Disney-inspired tips, you’ll be well on your way to more universally appealing and lasting content in no time!