Perhaps you run your own business. Maybe you are still in the planning stages. You know how important web copy, social media, email funnels and SEO are, but…but...
Exactly. Creating consistently quality copy and content across all platforms takes time. It takes patience. It takes passion. And it requires some key knowledge, but to let's make a start with 4 important steps.
1. Research, research, research.
Even the most simple writing tasks actually require extensive research. We’ve all heard about SEOs and keywords. But do you actually understand them?
Do you know how to optimise your website, blog and social posts to rank higher on Google and Bing? David Ogilvy, the Advertising Guru, advised writers to “stuff your conscious mind with information”. If you are writing your own copy, do you have productive time to research every week? What about every month?
2. Create your headline
Headlines grab your reader’s attention, but should also lead them purposefully into the body copy. However, did you know that 5x as many people read the headline than the body copy?
According to Robert W Bly, your headline can also select the audience and deliver a complete message. Going back to those statistics, if the majority of your readers are only going to read your headline, it had better be good!
3. Less is more
Sometimes, the temptation is to write reams and reams of body copy, under the misguided perception that it will get you noticed. See #2 (above), people today have short attention spans. Your readers may only read the headline, and possibly a subhead or two. Make your point quickly, with the minimum number of words and don’t forget #4.
4. Call to Action (CTA)
This is the one we forget, and it may be the most important part of your copy. If you don’t explicitly tell your readers what to do, and how to do it, how will you measure the success of your writing? By including a strong CTA, your copy will not only prompt action from your readers, it will also be measurable and trackable. Pretty cool, eh?
Yes, I get it. It’s a headache if writing just isn’t your thing.
And that, my friends, is where your talented copywriter comes in. Your freelance copywriter will take any writing job off your plate and hand you well-researched, succinct copy, with attention-grabbing headlines, and an irresistible call to action.
Want more tips on copywriting? Leave me a message in the comments!
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