Get Testimonials You Can Really Use
Testimonials are a great way to expand the reach of your positive word-of-mouth. And studies show that they have a significant impact on web site conversion rates. But not all testimonials are created equal.
8 Easy Fixes for Clear, Compelling Writing
8 Easy Fixes
Loosen Up – Casual is the new cool. Use contractions (I’ll, you’ll, we’ll), maintain a relaxed tone, and choose simple, everyday words.
Break it down – Long sentences are exhausting for your reader. Break sentences and paragraphs into small chunks.
Tune Your Voice – Keep a consistent voice. Don’t be cute on one page and stuffy on another.
Maintain order – Make bullets grammatically consistent and don’t mix categories (like what to do and what not to do) in one list.
Be Positive – Use positive words like “affordable” instead of negative ones like “not expensive.”
Simplify – Keep jargon, acronyms and technical terms out of your writing unless you’re certain they’ll be well-understood.
Don’t Repeat – Find the simplest, clearest, shortest way to express your idea, and do it once. No need for “advance preview,” for example – a preview is always advance.
Cut extras – Some words add nothing. You can almost always cut “that,” remove “very” or “really” and replace “in order to” with “to.”
3 Signs Your Web Copy Sucks
Web Writing Mistakes That Drive Visitors Away
Your web site is the most powerful and far-reaching communications vehicle you have. Are you driving visitors away with poorly-written web copy? Here are 3 surefire signs your web copy sucks:
How to Write Traffic-Stopping Headlines
Compelling Headlines Turn Visitors into Readers
Written a great blog post? Crafted a fantastically informative web page? Fabulous! Now how will you persuade anybody to actually read it?
In the age of information overload, you have just seconds to get visitors to stop scanning frantically and focus, for a moment, on what you’ve got to say.
Headlines, headings, and titles are the best tools you’ve got. Use them well – to literally stop traffic – and you can greatly improve the reach of your message and the impact of your work. [Read more…]
Defining Your Purpose
Writing, Like Life, Needs a Purpose
I’m all for a little existential angst every once in a while. You know, the “what’s the point of it all?” kind of stuff that ultimately keeps us on track.
But when it comes to the writing you do for your business, there’s really no room for that sort of thing. You’ve got to be crystal clear about what the point of it all is. [Read more…]
Communicating Your Value
Talking About Your Business
One of the key pillars of small business success is communication. Every business benefits from knowing what and how to communicate about itself.
To do that well, you need to be clear about what value you offer and who you best serve. It sounds simple, but it’s something that many business owners – especially at the outset – really struggle with. [Read more…]