Archive for the ‘Marketing Tips’ Category


How to create an email signature: 5 tips to create a professional-looking email signature that supports your brand

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum


Often overlooked, the email signature is a hardworking “marketing tool” that supports your brand. 

I’m a big believer in ensuring your entire marketing toolkit is on-target and informative – and supports your brand. Of course, this includes critical marketing tools such as your website, business card, and printed collateral (e.g., brochures, sell sheets, and speaker one-sheets). This also includes a smaller “marketing tool” that is often overlooked: your email signature.

How do you create an informative, professional-looking email signature? Here are tips!

  1. Some information is critical to include – It’s important to include these components: company logo, your name, your title, your phone number, website address (with link), and social media icons (with links).
  2. Some information is optional – Is your company name clearly spelled out in your logo? If so, you may not need to include it in the text block of your nicely designed email signature. Are you a solopreneur (e.g., professional speaker, consultant, or author)? If so, I strongly encourage you to include your photo. Also consider including a limited number of icons for special awards or a link to read your company’s 5-star reviews. Another optional item is your email address. Some people insist it’s not necessary: “Your email address is elsewhere in the email – save the space!” Personally, I prefer to include my email address (with link) in my email signature. This way, recipients can quickly find ALL critical contact info in ONE place.
  3. From a branding standpoint, consistency is critical – Everyone in your company should use the IDENTICAL email signature, especially those who correspond with customers and vendors. Of course, change the personal information: name, title, phone, email. Don’t let employees get creative and come up with their own, unique email signature.
  4. Here’s a tip to create a professional-looking email signature – Outlook and other email clients/software programs don’t make it super easy to design a professional-looking email signature. MY TIP: I created my email signature in a Microsoft Word document, then copied/pasted the artwork into Outlook. My email signature is below. Since email signatures can contain a lot of information (both text and graphics), creating a professional-looking design can be a challenge. If you’re struggling, it’s time to call your favorite designer and ask for help.
  5. Look online for examples and inspiration – Search the Internet for “tips to create a professional email signature.” You’ll see a wide variety of examples. Like Goldilocks, find one that is “just right.” Use it as a template to organize your logo, photo (if appropriate), and all contact information. The goal is to create an email signature with an attractive, uncluttered design. This small “marketing tool” should be informative, professional, and support your brand!

Patrice Rhoades-Baum's example email signature

 

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SEO 101: Help Google find your website

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

When it comes to SEO, this old saying fits: “Like a well, it’s a deep subject.”

Search-engine optimization (SEO) is a website strategy to improve rankings in Internet searches. Complex and technical, SEO is a surprisingly deep subject.

The good news: You can take 4 basic steps to improve SEO.

With just a few steps, you can improve SEO to help Google and other search engines – and your prospects – find your website.

Follow these 4 steps to make your company’s website a hardworking marketing tool:

  1. Upgrade an old website – This can provide a good boost to SEO. I’m happy to recommend an exceptional, boutique website development firm that builds new websites using SEO best practices. (Call me to chat about my favorite website designer/developer!)
  2. Add meta descriptions – As a trained SEO writer/website writer, I’ll pen hardworking meta descriptions for your website. Your developer places this information “behind-the-scenes” in your website’s programming. This is a critical ingredient in your SEO strategy.
  3. Include SEO keywords – I’ll update your website content with on-target messaging that “speaks” to your target market. This keyword-rich website content also “speaks” to the search-engine robots, with no awkward keyword stuffing.
  4. Post regular blog articles – Think of SEO robots as hungry little critters. Your regular blog posts are like a welcoming buffet of yummy content, inviting them back again and again. To get your blog going, I’m happy to brainstorm topic ideas with you and/or ghostwrite articles for you (even technical subjects).

 

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6 tips to make blogging fun and easy!

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

It’s a good idea to post regular blog articles to position your company as a leader, educate prospects and customers, and enhance your website’s SEO.

But do you feel like blogging is a chore?

Here are 6 ideas to make blogging fun and easy.

  1. Start a list of topic ideas – When inspiration hits, toss a scribbled note into a file.
  2. Keep the topic tightly focused – Long, cumbersome articles are no fun to write (and no fun to read).
  3. Recycle older and “evergreen” articles – Republish articles and case studies that are still relevant.
  4. Aim for a word count of 300 words – More is fine, but 300 words is a good goal.
  5. Include lighthearted topics – Personal-interest articles and photos such as employees volunteering in your community are a fun, rewarding way to connect with like-minded people who share similar interests, including prospective customers.
  6. Improve SEO with a plugin – This useful tool gives you step-by-step guidance to improve SEO, which helps you ensure your time is well-spent creating a hardworking blog post.

 

 

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3 tips to get great customer testimonials

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

It’s critical to get great testimonials – and include them on your website – because this helps you win new customers.

But it can be challenging! Here are 3 ways to ask for (and get) great customer testimonials.

Tip #1: Jot down notes when customers rave, then write the testimonial for them.

If you’re on the phone with a customer and they comment about how much they like your product or service, grab a pen and start scribbling! You can polish their comments, email the testimonial to them, and ask permission to use it on your company website.

Tip #2: Call and ask for a testimonial, on the spot.

This tip is especially useful when you’re updating your website. Simply call your customers, explain that you’d love a testimonial, and ask if they have a minute. Just ask one or two questions, then type or write down what they say. Edit your notes into a brief testimonial.

Tip #3: Convert emailed comments into testimonials.

Customer thank-you notes make great testimonials! You may want to ask if you can publish their name on your website. Alternatively, just use their initials.

 

 

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Do you have a stalled website project? Let’s tackle it now!

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Note from Patrice: I wrote this short article as a favor for a colleague, which she shared in her email newsletter. I frequently team with Lauren Klopfenstein, owner of Lauren Graphics, Inc., on client website projects. I provide marketing insights, branding, and website/SEO copywriting. Lauren and her team provide outstanding website design and development. View their website portfolio at www.LaurenGraphicsInc.com

 

You need to update your website, but…
Does your website project keep getting pushed to the backburner?

 

Do you need to hit the “refresh” button on your company’s website? Perhaps you need a small update, just a few nips and tucks to replace outdated information, add a new product or service, or add new case studies and testimonials.

Or do you need a brand-new website with a contemporary and compelling design, keyword-rich SEO copy, and on-target messaging that resonates with your prospects?

Whether your project is small or large, we find that website projects often get pushed to the backburner.

Here are 3 common reasons why this happens:

  1. “We don’t have a clear direction” – Backed by years of website-creation experience, we always start by helping you clarify your goals and objectives.
  2. “The project feels daunting” – Website projects can be complex, but they don’t have to be! A great solution is taking a Phase 1 / Phase 2 approach.
  3. “We’re busy, and this could be a time-consuming project” – Don’t worry, we do the heavy lifting! Our team has a depth of experience including project management to oversee – and competently complete – your website project.

There’s no time like the present! Let’s tackle your website project NOW. 

 

 

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How to repurpose content: Follow 2 easy steps

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

When it’s time to write a blog post, do you search for fresh ideas — but nothing comes to mind? Here’s how to repurpose content.

If you come up empty-handed, the solution might be at your fingertips. Instead of spending time writing entirely new copy, you can breathe fresh life into EXISTING content — your articles, blog posts, webinar transcripts, book chapters, and worksheets. It’s easy to repurpose your existing content.

Repurposing and “recycling” older articles is perfectly fine — as long as the topics are evergreen (still relevant).

It surprises me when my clients express reluctance to repurpose content they wrote years ago, for example, older case studies or blog articles. If the topic is evergreen, the content may need just a bit of editing — a tweak here, a twist there — to be updated.

Perhaps it’s my South Dakota roots, but whenever I write about the topic of how to repurpose content, the word FODDER leaps to mind.

One definition of fodder is “coarse food for livestock.” Ok, that definition does not apply! But this one does: “raw material.”

When you think about repurposing your existing content, think about the "fodder" at your fingertips!

When you think about repurposing your existing content, think about the “fodder” at your fingertips!

 

Here’s why I like the word FODDER …

Early in my corporate marketing career, I figured out how to repurpose content. I had to — it was a matter of survival!

On any given day, I faced deadlines related to marketing brochures, direct mail, public relations, white papers, case studies, tradeshows, sales presentations, websites, online newsletters, and advertising.

Whew!

Since I was juggling so many projects at once, I mastered the art of leveraging and repurposing content to save time and meet deadlines.

Long ago, I began looking at the copy I wrote as much more than one-off content. Instead, I viewed everything I wrote as potential fodder for a future project. Today this skill comes naturally for me.

Are you a solopreneur (professional speaker, marketing consultant, business coach, life coach)? Or do you own a different type of business? Or do you wear the marketing hat for a larger company? If so, there’s a good chance you write a lot of unique content. This means there’s a good chance you have plenty of FODDER at your fingertips!

 

Follow 2 easy steps to “recycle” and repurpose  content.

Step 1: Use this checklist to identify ALL the places your written content exists.

  • Marketing tools: Website, speaker one-sheets, brochures, sales sheets, and compiled testimonials
  • PowerPoint or Keynote presentations and transcripts for keynotes, videos, webinars, and podcasts
  • Handouts, worksheets, tip sheets, and checklists
  • Social media posts and lists of discussion topics
  • Published articles, case studies, and white papers
  • Blog articles
  • Email newsletters
  • Opt-in box giveaway item (aka lead magnet, opt-in bribe, or freemium)
  • Your books
  • Your information products
  • Other: __________________________________

Step 2: Take a fresh look at how you can repurpose your existing content — the fodder at your fingertips!

Let’s brainstorm a bit to spur some ideas. Take a minute to think broadly about the content you have written, per the above list. How can you “recycle” and repurpose your existing content?

Here’s an example: You could repurpose a webinar transcript into:

  • Blog article or article series
  • Guest blog article
  • Email newsletter article
  • Article to be published in a trade magazine (printed or online)
  • Chapter for your next book
  • Information product
  • Opt-in box giveaway item, perhaps distilled into a worksheet or tip sheet
  • Raid tidbits and share daily tips on Facebook and other social media sites

Instead of spending time writing entirely new articles, you can repurpose content by breathing fresh life into your existing, evergreen copy. 

I’ve been transforming “fodder” — already written content — into polished, vibrant, relevant copy for decades. I’m happy to help YOU transform your transcripts, blog posts, email newsletter articles, presentations, video scripts, handouts, worksheets, and other existing copy into NEW and UP-TO-DATE content.

Do you need fresh ideas and a bit of guidance?

If you need writing or editing support to repurpose your existing content, call me at 719-685-1108 or pop an email to Patrice@PatriceRB.com. Remember, I offer a free, 30-minute consultation.

 

 

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Content marketing: Here’s your 3-step plan

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Whether you love to write or just endure it, it’s a good time to embrace a content marketing strategy.

Do you love to write, and the words flow like water in a stream? My guess is probably not! If you’re like most people, when it’s time to write, you need to shut your office door, knuckle down, and just get it done. Yet no matter your approach to writing, you’re in luck. Why? Because producing content is the absolute key to “content marketing,” an effective marketing strategy that continues to gain traction.

Content marketing is truly enjoying its day in the sun! In fact, the Content Marketing Institute says: “It’s the present – and future – of marketing.” In other words, it’s the better way, and it’s here to stay.

Content marketing is like "going fishing" for prospects. In very simple terms, you bait the hook and reel them in. Photo by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

Content marketing is like “going fishing” for prospects. In very simple terms, you bait the hook, stay attentive, and reel them in. Photo of fisherman at Fall River, Rocky Mountain National Park by Patrice Rhoades-Baum.

What is content marketing?

Here’s a definition from the Content Marketing Institute:

“Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. Instead of pitching your products or services, you are providing truly relevant and useful content to your prospects and customers to help them solve their issues.”

Put more simply: When you regularly create and distribute useful content, you can attract prospects, nurture a relationship, and drive sales. 

Even if you only do a tad bit of marketing in your business, you know that writing content is part and parcel to implementing all types of marketing, public relations, and advertising strategies.

Many of my clients – solopreneurs and mid-size businesses – are actively executing aggressive content marketing strategies. Many ask me to write content for them on a regular basis. Primarily, this includes:

  • Blog articles
  • Email newsletter articles
  • Product/service web pages
  • Case study web pages
  • Articles for trade publications
  • Content for infographics
  • Copy for marketing brochures and mailers

Working with different clients in different industries has given me insight into the many ways to pursue content marketing. Some strategies are fairly simple; some are quite robust. The end goal is the same: attract prospects, nurture a relationship, and drive sales.

Content marketing is much like fishing.

Content marketing is much like fishing. Native to Rocky Mountain National Park, this greenback cutthrout trout is federally listed as endangered. Photo by Patrice Rhoades-Baum. (I did not enhance the colors of this guy – he swam into the sunlight and flashed brilliant red!)

Get started on (or improve) your content marketing strategy: Here is my 3-step plan

Whether your business is large or small, I believe there are 3 basic steps for your content marketing plan. In a nutshell, these are: (1) Write regular blog posts to attract prospects to your website. (2) Entice them with a compelling giveaway, so you can get their email address and build your list. (3) Send regular email newsletters to your list to stay top-of-mind, nurture the relationship and, over time, convert prospects to paying clients.

Keep reading … here are details for this basic, 3-step plan. Follow these tips to begin (or improve) your content marketing strategy.

1. BLOG ARTICLES – Post regular blog articles with information that is useful, relevant, and informative for your target market. Although your blog articles clearly show your expertise, they are not sales pitches. The reason to post new content regularly is two-fold: You are inviting and attracting prospects, customers, and social media connections to visit your website. Plus, adding new content invites Google’s search-engine robots to revisit your site, which can help to improve your search-engine rankings.

Tips:

  • Include SEO keywords in every blog post, which helps to attract prospects to your blog and website. Identifying organic SEO keywords is simple. Here’s a quick case study: I just began teaming with an accomplished executive coach and his assistant. We quickly identified these organic SEO keywords: his full name (not just his first name) and his city as well as phrases such as executive coach, business coach, executive coaching, Vistage Chair, and so on.
  • In terms of word count, Google likes 300+ words.
  • Use a plugin (e.g., Yoast), which can guide you to improve your search-engine optimization, with the addition of a keyword focus, meta description, and more.
  • Use your social media sites to announce the new article to your fans, friends, and followers. This invites folks to your website/blog to read the article.
  • I like to include brief blog articles with photos on topics of personal interest. Examples include highlights of hiking adventures, archaeological field trips, and roadtrips throughout the Southwest. This has been a fun and rewarding way to truly connect with many like-minded people around the world.

2. OPT-IN BOX – Ensure your blog has an opt-in box in the margin, so you can capture visitors’ email addresses. The opt-in box must have a compelling, free giveaway item (aka lead magnet, opt-in bribe, or freemium). Here’s the reason to create a hardworking opt-in box: This simple tool helps to build your list. This enables you to stay in contact with prospects and grow your relationship.

Tips:

  • You can have one main opt-in box in the margin of your blog. Better yet, each blog article can have a brief corresponding worksheet that is downloadable via that particular blog article’s opt-in box.
  • Place an opt-in box on all pages of your website, not just on the blog and Home page. In fact, consider having opt-in boxes with different giveaway items on various web pages to entice prospects who are interested in your various products and services.
  • Ideally, when someone opts-in, they should receive several autoresponder emails that offer additional, valuable information. This helps to create a trusting relationship. Keep the focus on giving value rather than sell-sell-sell.
  • In the opt-in box, consider asking for ONLY the email address – not first name, last name, city, company, and other information. Marketing data shows that conversion rates improve when less information is required.
  • Ask your assistant or website developer to ensure the email address is automatically entered into your email newsletter database (e.g., MailChimp or Constant Contact).
  • If you’re implementing a pay-per-click (PPC) advertising strategy, the ad’s link should take prospects to a landing page with an opt-in box and compelling giveaway item. (Place the same opt-in box at both the top and bottom of the landing page.)
  • Here are 10 example giveaway items:
    – Infographic (these appeal to prospects due to instant gratification)
    – Webinar
    – Video
    – Recorded interview
    – Worksheet
    – Tipsheet
    – Checklist
    – Set of templates
    – eBook
    – White paper

3. EMAIL NEWSLETTER – Send a weekly or monthly email newsletter. The primary reason is to stay top-of-mind with your prospects and customers. Ideally, many prospects will eventually convert to paying clients. Plus, many clients will return to purchase your products and services.

Tips:

  • Primarily, the content should add value, not sell.
  • You can certainly promote new products, services, special offers, and so forth. And, of course, you can include links to your website.
  • Consider creating an editorial calendar. This step can help you develop more sophisticated email campaigns to support your product funnel and drive the sales process.

All the above steps assume that the website content is up-to-date, particularly when it comes to brand messaging, products, services, and case studies. In fact, I encourage you to keep your website content as current as possible. (If you need help, give me a holler.) Your up-to-date website is the hub of all marketing activities.

Follow this basic 3-step content marketing strategy to attract prospects, nurture the relationship, and drive sales.

 

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Best business writing tip ever: Walk away!

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

What’s the best way to improve your writing? Walk away!

Best writing tip ever--walk away!

Patrice and Jake explore the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Photo by Michael Baum.

Here’s my favorite business writing tip: Write your first draft, taking time to re-read the copy and give it a good polish.

Next, walk away for an hour – or a day!

What do you get?
Perspective and objectivity.

Walking away helps to give you distance – literally and figuratively! When you come back, you’ll take a fresh look at the content you wrote. You’ll be surprised how much perspective and objectivity you will gain.

What do you do next? Edit to ensure content is crisp, clear, and compelling.

Now, go back to your writing. Pretend someone else wrote the content. Put on your editor’s hat. It’s time to edit ruthlessly!

Follow this 10-point checklist to edit your content:

  1. Make sure there’s a clear benefit message. (Readers should quickly understand why they want to invest their limited time to read your content. What will they learn? Don’t make them guess!)
  2. Write a more enticing headline.
  3. Ensure every sentence is as clear as possible.
  4. Check to ensure the overall structure makes sense. (For example, if you’re writing a case study, have you presented before/after events in chronological order?)
  5. Add subheads to strengthen structure.
  6. Trim the word count.
  7. Add SEO keywords.
  8. Proof to fix spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
  9. Fact-check as necessary.
  10. Add a call-to-action at the end.

More on this business writing tip . . .

  • Why do I consider this to be the best business writing tip EVER? Because “walking away” can help you to objectively look at and edit your article, blog post, worksheet, brochure, and book. Do this every time, and you WILL improve your writing – and your message.
  • When editing, I like to print out the page(s). Surprisingly, reading a piece of paper – versus staring at the screen – adds even more perspective and objectivity.
  • Also, when editing, I like to use a red pen. If you find red ink daunting (perhaps you’re haunted by harsh teachers wielding red pens), then use green, purple, blue, or black. The color doesn’t matter. What matters is taking time to thoroughly – and ruthlessly – edit your content.

In a nutshell, here’s why this is my favorite business writing tip …

When you walk away – then come back later to ruthlessly edit your writing – your content will be crisp, clear, and compelling.

 

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Productivity tips for small business owners: These 7 calendaring tips add productivity (and sanity) to your week

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum 2 Comments

Is every week crazy-busy?
How can you add productivity – and sanity – to your week?

 

"Bear in the backyard" photo by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

“Bear in the backyard” photo by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

There’s an old saying that goes (roughly): “Sometimes you get the bear; sometimes the bear gets you.” When you’re crazy-busy, it can feel like you’re being chased by a bear – and it’s gonna get you! Often, feeling crazy-busy goes hand-in-hand with feeling stressed.

After a 25-year corporate marketing career and 10+ years owning a business, I’ve discovered that being organized goes a long way toward reducing stress and being productive.  Today, as a marketing/branding consultant and copywriter for websites, blog posts, speaker one-sheets and more, I have a lot of plates spinning.

Taking time for “calendaring” helps to ensure my week is sane, organized, and productive. Calendaring helps to ensure you never miss a meeting and always complete projects on time. That’s why calendaring is one of my favorite productivity tips for small business owners.

If you spend time wading through emails and stacks of paper searching for details, are late for meetings, and stress over deadlines, then I encourage you to give these calendaring tips a try. Wouldn’t it be great to get on top of details and deadlines? Wouldn’t it be great to get the bear?

 

Let’s follow the “Who/What/When/Where” approach to discuss this productivity topic.Calendar

WHO: Every busy person including solopreneurs and small business owners who could add a bit of productivity (and sanity) to their lives. In fact, calendaring is one of my favorite productivity tips for small business owners, because it make a big difference in your quality of life.

WHAT: Take time for calendering every week. To me, it means carving out time to sit down, take a breath, and create a complete to-do list for the upcoming week. This starts with organizing all events in your calendar (whether it’s paper or electronic). Mark down all appointments, note all project deadlines, list priority action items, and so forth.

WHEN: I reserve time every Monday morning to organize my week. It can take a couple of hours! Do your Mondays start with “ready, set, go”? If so, consider taking time for calendaring on Friday afternoon for the upcoming week. If necessary, do this over the weekend.

WHERE: This activity requires focus – and having information and office tools at hand. I encourage you to do your calendaring at your desk in your office. That way, you have all tools handy: your phone, computer, email, electronic or paper calendar, pens, highlighters, etc.

HOW: When it comes to calendaring, here are my favorite productivity tips for small business owners:

  1. Create ONE list for the whole week; identify daily action items and milestones – Take time to create a complete to-do list for the upcoming week (either on paper or electronically). This includes identifying tasks and projects you MUST complete as well as those you HOPE to complete. Calendaring takes this a step beyond jotting down a simple to-do list. Whether your calendar is electronic or paper, take time to identify action items to tackle on specific days. Believe me, when you create a thorough, day-by-day action list that’s integrated with your calendar, all sorts of details will pop into your brain … important details that may otherwise get overlooked. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll step up your productivity.
  2. Schedule “meetings” with yourself – Do you have a long-term project on your plate? Often, business development activities and long-term goals that are important do not have concrete or looming deadlines. Set aside time to get it done! Put this appointment in your calendar, and don’t skip it. A good example is dedicating a portion of every Monday to be “Marketing Monday” to promote and grow your business.
  3. At the end of every day, take time to wrangle loose ends – Write down all appointments, tasks, notes, reminders, and deadlines for the next day. Capture all details. Otherwise, these “gremlins” may wake you up at 2:00 in the morning.
  4. Include personal tasks on your master list – Let’s say your anniversary is next week, and you need to call in reservations at your favorite restaurant. Better make a note. Or perhaps you’re hosting a friend’s birthday party at your house. Don’t forget to order the cake. When calendaring, include important action items related to personal projects.
  5. This is a good opportunity to clear off your desk – While calendaring, take time to file papers, address sticky notes, and check unread emails for surprise action items.
  6. Send a reminder/confirmation email to meeting participants – For meetings that have been set up for the week (either in-person meetings or conference calls), send a reminder email to the participants. This helps to ensure the meeting happens as planned, and the project moves forward.
  7. Set alarms in your smartphone – You can set up alarms to alert you to certain high-priority activities such as meetings and doctor’s appointments. (Don’t go overboard.)

WHY: Carving out time to get organized actually buys you more time! Taking time for calendaring helps to clear your mind, reduce stress, and tackle priority projects. Without question, it makes you more productive. And you’ll be on top of details and deadlines!

Imagine no more searching for lost files, being late for important meetings, or missing project deadlines. Investing just a bit of calendaring time every week can truly add productivity – and sanity – to your work week.

 

This is why calendaring has become one of my favorite productivity tips for small business owners.

 

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Writing marketing content: 3 secrets to make it flow

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

Top secret round stamp
Business owners who are writing marketing content – website copy, sales landing pages, brochures, speaker one-sheets, and other marketing verbiage – tell me it’s a chore.

They procrastinate, get stressed out, get writer’s block, and suffer through the first draft. Their editing process is more “critical” than “critique.” The words do not flow, and they are NOT having a good time.

For me, thanks to 3 decades of marketing and copywriting experience, writing marketing content comes fairly easily. It’s still a hefty project, mind you. But (thankfully) there’s not a lot of pain and suffering involved.

Right now, I’m immersed in writing several sales landing pages. The copy is flowing (thankfully). I just realized the reason why it’s flowing: Over the years, I’ve internalized these 3 secrets to writing marketing content.

 

Here are my 3 secrets to writing marketing content:

Secret #1. Follow the “itch-and-scratch” approach.

This is an extremely useful tool to have in your writing toolkit. Here’s how it works:

THE ITCH: Write the first few sentences of copy to directly address your prospects’ needs, challenges, or struggles.

THE SCRATCH: Write copy that directly speaks to the results – the relief they get – with the products or services you deliver.

 

Here’s an example:

THE ITCH: Are you embarrassed by your outdated website and mismatched marketing tools?

THE SCRATCH: Team with our skilled designers to create polished, professional marketing collateral, including a strategic website. You’ll enjoy this exciting, stress-free process. And you’ll love the results!

 

Secret #2. Use the word YOU.

Writing sentences that start with the word “YOU” helps to clearly present benefit messages. This is a must when writing ALL types of marketing content including website copy. (Note that you are “speaking” to an individual person, not a group of people magically reading your content in unison.)

Here’s an example:
In this interactive workshop, your sales reps will learn a proven process to hit their sales goals, month after month. 

“YOU” is a hardworking little word. It practically guarantees that your marketing content clearly presents “what you get” – the benefits and results your prospects will receive when they team with you.

 

Secret #3. Tap into the reader’s emotions.

As I thought about one of the sales landing pages I was about to write, I realized that prospects who need this product are feeling confused, stuck, and overwhelmed. As I wrote the copy, I addressed these feelings from beginning to end. Essentially, I kept my finger on the pulse.

When writing marketing content, take a minute to think deeply about your potential buyers. How are they feeling? What are the emotions they struggle with – the emotions that might drive them to purchase the particular service or product you are selling?

Here’s a helpful list of emotions, as a start:

Frustrated, overwhelmed, confused, unclear/foggy, feeling stuck, feeling pressured to make the right choice, scared, feelings of inadequacy, flustered, floundering, fear of wasting time, fear of wasting money, fear of failure, fear of making the wrong choice

 

Follow these 3 secrets to writing marketing content for your next project. Hopefully, there will be no pain and suffering – and a lot more flow!

 

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