Today I’m going to share some tips for creating compelling content. If you’re serious about your online presence and reputation and ultimately making money, then it’s important to know how to create content that is compelling, engages your readers and encourages them to take action. It’s not just a case of creating content and flinging it online and hoping for the best results.
Content Goals
It’s absolutely imperative to think about what goals you’re trying to achieve with your website.
- Driving traffic is a given because without traffic your products or services will never been seen or purchased.
- Make your website easy to navigate, visually appealing, interesting and helpful. Always deliver quality information.
- Grabbing your visitor’s attention is vital. You can do this by constructing irresistible benefit-driven headlines and subject lines within your website.
- Give people a reason to return to your website. For example, tell them about upcoming offers or events or discounts.
- You want your visitors to make purchases so lead them by the hand and make it as easy as possible for them to do this.
Interacting with your prospects when they visit your website through compelling copy and effective marketing is undoubtedly more beneficial than just hoping they browse and find something to buy.
How to Apply These Principles to Your Advantage
The more interactive and user friendly you can make your website pages the more engagement they will receive from your visitors. If people have enjoyed the experience that your website offers they’ll definitely share it with their friends and connections. In the long-term this will result in more traffic and ultimately more sales for your business.
You can build interaction on your website in a variety of ways. For example, implement one or more of the following:
- Blog
- Reviews
- Testimonials
- Social Media
- Forums
- Polls
- Contests
- Surveys
- Quizzes
- Tutorials
- Videos
- Articles with embedded links
Of course, this is all great, but you do need to have an understanding of basic copywriting techniques in order to maximise your results.
Headlines
Crucially you should use attention-grabbing, benefit-driven headlines. Think about the main thing your prospect wants from your product or service. What problem is it going to solve? Make sure to highlight that in a BIG, BOLD headline.
Sub Headlines
Divide up your copy by creating bolded sub headlines. This makes the copy easier to read and follow. In addition, laying out your copy like this can catch the attention of a reader who is just quickly scanning your page and may be about to leave.
Bullet Points
Bullet points are key to focusing people’s attention fast and are easy to digest. You can quickly use them to tap into the pain points your prospects may be facing and highlight the benefits of your products or services. Also, you can demonstrate the results your prospects will achieve when they use your products or services.
Write Directly to Your Audience
When you write copy for your website or send out emails to your list think about who you’re writing the message for. For example, you could imagine you’re writing to your brother or sister.
Always write as if you’re writing to an individual. Conjure up your ideal customer and imagine that they’re sitting opposite you. Make sure to focus on them more than yourself and use “you” throughout your copy. A reader’s attention span is limited and if you drone on about yourself, they will zone out. However, if you’re talking to them and about them, you’re more likely to hold their interest.
Establish Your Target Market
Once you establish who your target market is don’t think all your work is done. It’s essential that your copy appeals to your target market. It’s so important to understand, research and keep up-to-date with what your target market’s needs and wants are in order to create products or services which will be attractive and beneficial to them.
Be Transparent
Always be clear and concise with the information you provide. Writing confusing, wordy content that baffles your reader isn’t going to inspire them with confidence to invest in your products or services. Answer any questions that prospects might have openly and honestly and at the same time illustrate the benefits of your products or services.
Craft a Casual Approach
There may be occasions where your copy should be more formal but typically, you’ll connect with your audience more effectively if you write how you’d speak to them. Use your own voice to get your message across and avoid including jargon which can turn some readers off.
Keep it Short
Short and simple sentences and well-spaced paragraphs make reading and scanning your copy so much easier for your prospects. The last thing you want to do is complicate the message you’re giving your visitors. Because without a second thought they’ll head off to someone else’s website and you’ll have lost a potential sale.
Transitions
Transition words and phrases help the flow of your copy and make it easier for your reader to progress from one point onto the next. Smart Words is a very useful website which explains, in an easy-to-understand way, the various commonly used English transition words. It’s a great resource and worth bookmarking.
Here are a few examples of transition words and phrases:
- In the first place
- Not only… but also
- As a matter of fact
- Of course
- In reality
- On the other hand
- With this in mind
- Given that
- For instance
- Surprisingly
- As a result
- All things considered
- Ultimately
- To demonstrate
- More compelling evidence
Power Words
Power words are part of an emotionally charged language that is used to influence your reader. These words arouse an emotion and a response and generate a desire or need in people to react to whatever you’re offering them. Power words are indeed powerful and can be used effectively to boost your conversions and sales. Power words are used to persuade people to respond instantly to a call to action. They are often action words and create a mental picture for your reader.
Here are a few examples of power words:
- Secret
- Harness
- Discover
- Exclusive
- Quickly
- Easily
- Ultimate
- Simple
- Reduce
- Proven
- Free
- Lucrative
- Sale
- Revealed
- Hidden
Don’t underestimate the power of these words and the impact they can make on your readers.
The content you create for any copy medium, be it web pages, sales pages, info products, and so on should be succinct, compelling, focused, easy to read and speak directly to your reader. Wherever possible you should be asking your reader to take action. For example, ask them to fill out a form, provide feedback, ask questions, or make a purchase.
I really hope you found my Tips for Creating Compelling Content post helpful and that you can apply some of these tips to your own projects and achieve successful results.
To Your Success!
