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Tag: Content
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7 Ways A Blog Helps Your Business Succeed
In today’s business environment, a “Web Log,” more commonly known as a “Blog,” is an integral part of connecting you to those you serve or hope to serve. Here are 7 ways a blog helps your business succeed.1) Tell your story in real time
Websites, brochures, and traditional media are great tools for giving your clients and prospects a snapshot of who you are. But it it’s impossible to update their content continuously, and so they are essentially a static form of communication. On the other hand, blogs, when properly maintained, are living, breathing entities. They continuously tell your story in real time.
2) Your least expensive marketing method
For the minimal cost of a great copywriter and a blogging tool like WordPress, you can start sharing how your offering solves the challenges of the world.
3) Keeps you coordinated
In addition to going viral on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and all of your other social media outlets, the constantly created content from your blogs can be re-purposed for other projects. Your blog themes can, and should, be tied into web page copy, print media, and even internal documents that get your whole team on board with your current message.
4) Lets you talk with your followers, not just to them
The comment section after each of your blog posts gives you the opportunity for you to engage respondents directly. These conversations can also draw others in and grant you valuable one-on-one time with new and old friends.
5) Blogs are Search Engine Optimization rocket fuel
In the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) world, change is good. Top search sites are always on the hunt for websites that offer fresh and valuable content. As you build a constant stream of new blog copy, search engines will perk up and take notice, and that means more people will discover you.
6) Makes you an authority
People utilize the Internet as their main source of realizing solutions to their needs. Your blog posts will establish you as an authority and the go-to source for answers in your field.
7) Keeps you on your game
Coming up with the content for regular blog posts forces you to stay on the leading edge practices within your industry. This knowledge will support you in propelling your business forward.
User warning
Do not start a blog if you don’t intend to keep it current. There is nothing that will drive people away from your offering faster than an outdated blog page. Fortunately, professional copywriters, like Ocean Crest Creative, are fully capable of taking your raw content and converting it into magnetizing blog posts that will translate into the bountiful benefits that we’ve discussed.
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5 Things Fishing Teaches About Good Content Writing
You are in business to satisfy your clients’ needs, right? What could be more fundamental to human survival than the pursuit of food? So, let’s toast this harvest season with 5 things fishing teaches about good content writing.1) Use the right lure: The title
The fish you’re trying to catch may live in a big sea and move fast, or dwell in a small pond and need a great reason to swim out of their hiding place. Either way, to get those finny creatures motivated to notice you, you’re going to need to start your endeavor using a lure with lots of flash.
In writing, your content’s title is the flash that is going to catch your readers’ interest. A bad or lackluster title is like using old bait. Consumers are bombarded with plenty of opportunities. Your goal is to get them to focus in on you above all the others.
2) Draw them in: Sub-headers
Just because you’ve got a fish’s attention, don’t assume you’ll keep it. If you are fly fishing, tie a fly that sports all the right colors and looks like a first-rate meal.
Sub-headers should be just as attractive and creative as your title. They are what will maintain your reader’s interest in your content all the way to the end of the copy.
3) Work the line: Mix bullets and paragraphs
Don’t just drag your line through the water. Jig it, skip it, and bring your enticement to life!
Since people tend to skim and not read copy, try to mix bullet points into your story instead of relying solely on bulky paragraphs.
4) Bite-sized bait: Keep paragraphs and sentences short
A bigger piece of bait is not going to catch more fish. No matter what you are after, their mouth is only so big.
The old rule of thumb is that a paragraph is made up of two or more sentences. Yet that doesn’t mean you can’t break the rules and run with one sentence once in a while.
Likewise, who says a sentence has to prattle on forever. The shortest sentence in the world’s number one selling book is made up of only two words, “Jesus wept.” (The Bible, John 11:35).
5) Set the hook: Links to your offering
When a fish bites, every angler knows it’s time to set the hook. Pull too hard and you’ll yank the hook out of their mouth. On the other hand, too light-a-touch and your potential meal slips away.
Writing successful copy is no different. There should always be a call-to-action, but not one that is too blatant. Instead, the best practice is to liberally seed your writing with links that lead to solutions within your offering.
So, grab your fishing rod (or pen), find some water, and don’t forget, if you need some help selecting the best tackle, our shop is always open!
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Adding Your Voice To Your Content
Your business has its own distinctive character and story. This matchless style should carry throughout your copy. So, let’s look at adding your voice to your content.Your story
Identify your business’s narrative. Your story is not the content on your website’s About Us page, although that may be part of it. Your story tells of what makes your product or service exceptional. Think of it this way: while all pine trees share similarities, no two are the same. Even if two pine trees look the same, they do not occupy the same location on this globe. Therefore, they each have their own character.
As you create copy related to your offering, keep coming back to your story; either directly or indirectly. It will tie your reader to the big picture of who you are and endear them to you.
Be honest and clear
“Politically Correct” is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “Agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.” Therefore, does this rule mean you should never call a “shovel a shovel,” but rather a “delving instrument?”
When writing, the best rule to follow is, to be honest. Go ahead and enhance your copy with linguistic flowers, and don’t feel bullied by the P.C. police. However, key-in on words that clearly explain what you have to offer and who it is meant for.
Consider your audience
Would you speak to a class full of 14-year old’s the same way you would a technical conference of 50-year old’s? Of course not.
In Content Marketing, experts create client “Personas” for each type of customer they expect to be marketing to. Think of a persona as a description of an imaginary person. A travel persona may include answers to questions such as: Who are they and what is their profession? How old are they? What type of company do they work for? How often do they travel for pleasure? For how long? To where? What are their travel planning research patterns? As you create personas, you will be better able to tailor your copywriting voice.
Regional language distinctions
George Bernard Shaw said, “England and America are two countries separated by the same language.” As you create content, make sure you consider your reader’s local language nuances. For example, in the United States, people “take a vacation” while on the other side of the pond people “go on holiday.” When I write for my client who is a Canadian-based Tahiti tour agency, I am mindful of mentioning distances in kilometers and avoiding miles.
Just remember, “whilst/while” some parts of the world like their copy “coloured/colored” one way, in the end, it is important to be sensitive to regional language differences.
May your words be simple
For better or worse, most of your readers will only be reading your copy at about a fifth-grade level. Now, this isn’t always because they are coming to you with the mental agility of a small soap dish. It often has more to do with the time they have to dedicate to what you have to say. Thus I saithe, keep thy script elementary.
The reader is egocentric
I’m sorry, but they don’t care about you and what you have to offer unless it addresses a direct need of theirs. To this extent, always try your best to write with your customers’ need in mind. If you are not aware of their need, go back to the Persona stage and work on that.
Icons of your offering are called your Brand
We have established that all companies are unique and have their own distinct story. Branding is nothing more than slicing off and sharing samples of your offering’s appeal with your clients and prospects. So, sprinkle your copy generously with flavorful brand words. Doing so will aid in tying your whole presentation together.
Hire a professional copywriter
A professional copywriter not only can help you identify your voice but act as an impartial party in setting it free. They are specialists in crafting words that stimulate your clients and prospects into action.
Ocean Crest Creative is a copywriting firm dedicated to serving those involved in travel and tourism, as well as others who demand personal and professional attention paid to their word-related needs. We’re here if you need us!
