I do site reviews. Needless to say, I see a lot of Web copy. One thing that always befuddles me is the lack of focus many site pages have. It's as if the writer assumes the site visitor will read the copy and automatically know what to do next. The fact is you have to know what action you want visitors to take before you get them to take that action. That means knowing what the preferred action you want visitors to take is, before you write the copy.
Think About It
Before you pen one word (for the Web or any other marketing medium), stop and think. "After reading this copy, what - specifically - do I want my site visitors to do?" Maybe you want them to click deeper into the site. Perhaps you want them to buy right then and there. It could be that you'd like them to call to discuss your product or service. Make a donation. Subscribe. Download. There are thousands of possible actions. Give some consideration to the question above and choose the action you most want your visitors to take.
Signposts Point the Way
The next step is to include signposts along the way so your visitors understand what they're supposed to do once they've read your copy. Leaving verbal clues helps prepare your visitors to take action once the time comes.
For instance, if you run a software site that offers a free trial download, you can prepare your visitors to get the trial version all throughout your copy by mentioning "free download" or "free trial." Your copy might read:
Email Lock software allows you to send emails and attachments securely through encrypted channels. With the free download, you'll discover just how easy it is to protect your messages and attachments from spying eyes. It's ultra-easy to use. You'll send emails just as you always have, and your recipients won't know anything has changed, either. The free trial version is fully functional and allows you to experience all the flexibility and simplicity of sending safe and encrypted emails and attachments.
What's happening as your site visitors read? They see phrases like, "With the free download, you'll discover?" OK, where's the download button? Then they read, "The free trial version is fully functional?" Wonderful! I want it! How do I download the free trial?
They begin looking for ways to take the action you want them to take. So tell them how!
Ready? And? Action!
Your job is just like a movie director's job. The director has to motivate and encourage his actors. He tells them why their characters are so important to the film. The director helps the actors understand the emotions involved with the parts they are playing. Then, once he has them all primed, he calls for action.
That's what you should do in your copy. Guide your visitors. Lead and nudge them in the right direction. Show them signposts that point to the action you want them to take. Then call for them to take that action.
Once you give your copy focus, once you define a goal for the copy and an action for your visitors, you'll find it easier to write copy that converts.
? 2005
http://www.copywritingcourse.com
Karon Thackston is a veteran copywriting pro who specializes in SEO copy. If your copy isn't getting results, let Karon teach you how to write SEO copy that impresses the engines and your visitors at http://www.copywritingcourse.com. Be sure to check out Karon's latest ebook "How To Increase Keyword Saturation (Without Destroying the Flow of Your Copy)" at http://www.copywritingcourse.com.
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..There are lots of websites out there that do little... Read More
Have you seen Jesse James on the... Read More
Geometric designs come in all shapes and sizes? and lines.... Read More
This is my second article on maximising web site viewability.... Read More
If you need a web designer, but have no clue... Read More
Part one of this article is available at ... Read More
The Basics You have a flourishing business ? everything is... Read More
Public domain gives you a head start creating ebooks, ecourses,... Read More
Whenever singer John Mayer sings his romantic song, "Your Body... Read More
Colors are powerful, and create strong feelings. They can also... Read More
In the early years of the internet the actual design... Read More
Now that you have decided that it is time to... Read More
ASP.NET is a new programming framework from Microsoft for developing... Read More
Every now and then, I receive a link exchange request... Read More
An application is not ready for use unless you have... Read More
Does your website make a good first impression? Is the... Read More
Reading on the web is different than reading in all... Read More
If your Web site doesn't project a professional and polished... Read More
The object of search engines is to give their visitors... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
Persons engaged in website design, here's a scoop for you!... Read More
Contrary to the beliefs of some, advertising for web and... Read More
Do you know why the majority of people use the... Read More
Sooner or later every small or medium business owner realizes... Read More
So you're on the computer, as usual. Your eyes are... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Many people today are tired of the Microsoft software that... Read More
You can create a website that attracts customers, not repels... Read More
An attractive and user-friendly Web site is crucial to attracting... Read More
Every now and then, I receive a link exchange request... Read More
Are you going to design or redesign new website or... Read More
Creating a web site takes thought, planning and execution. Unfortunately,... Read More
Your website design may be affecting your sales in ways... Read More
7. Create high quality content - make clear points with... Read More
Let's face it. Buying products and services from the Internet... Read More
There are two important reasons to build your website from... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More
The Basics You have a flourishing business ? everything is... Read More
On the internet we don't deal with face to face... Read More
One of the challenges of moving a web site up... Read More
Designing your website can be a difficult task especially if... Read More
Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer... Read More
A client asked me, at what point do you change... Read More
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More
Ever wonder how HTML color codes are put together? For... Read More
There are many companies who build websites, all of which... Read More
My site is working fine. The links work. Content is... Read More
The most popular method to build webpages today is to... Read More
If there's one thing that most web site developers can... Read More
I often wonder how serious people are when it comes... Read More
Web Design |