Ever wonder how some people marketing online get all those readers and subscribers to their blogs, e-zines, white papers or articles? Feel like you have to fight to get just a couple of people to read your posts?
It’s tempting to think it’s just luck but playing the victim never got anyone anywhere. They’re either doing something you’re not, or something you are but much better.
Read on for some ideas on how to change that (it’s interesting how this Copyblogger post compares this to dating and life)
Listen before opening your mouth
It’s a well-known online marketing axiom that SEO writing content needs to provide as much information as possible to potential customers. Especially in today’s environment, consumers need reassurance your product or service can be a solution to their problem.
People aren’t going to line up to just learn about you and your product.
Think about this – two guys walk in a bar and spot an attractive woman having a drink.
The first guy walks up to the woman and begins telling her about his successful job, padded bank accounts, nice car and house. He assumes because of this she’ll just be anxious to go out with him.
Guy number 2 sits down at the bar and overhears a conversation between the woman and a bartender about her difficulty in finding a good Italian place. When the conversation breaks, the guy eases on in and says “Excuse me, but I couldn’t help overhearing about your bad experience with some of the local Italian restaurants. Have you tried Nero’s? It’s really excellent.”
Who do you think got a date with the lady?
Rather than blabbing about himself, guy number 2 started a conversation around a shared interest. He was able to easily capture the woman’s interest and go from there.
Look to other website copywriting pros for ideas but don’t copy them
You have to develop your own style…simply copying the style of some veteran website copywriter isn’t going to work. Generic copywriting techniques can be useful if they’re malleable to your market so it’s better to harness these skills into your own style, not copy them.
We’ve all heard those cheesy pickup lines: “If I could rearrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together” or “Are you an angel? I think I just died and went to heaven.” Now these may have worked for some guy somewhere but probably isn’t going to be too effective in getting a date.
The same idea is applicable to your website copywriting. Just peppering your copy with flattering talk may sound funny and cute to someone, but it doesn’t mean they’re going to jump on the bandwagon.
Stop talking to yourself
If your blog gets a few visitors a day, you can’t expect posting the same kind of content will draw anymore readers. You need to get out and meet some new people and get them interested in your blog.
Let’s say you move to a new town and want to throw a party at your place. Simply sitting at your apartment or condo and shouting that you’re having a party isn’t going to get people to drop by. Instead, going to the next condo or neighborhood association meeting and mingling with your new neighbors is a much better way. You can get to know them a little bit and then invite them over Friday evening for drinks.
The same concept is in play with your blog – join LinkedIn and get active in social networking. Provide thoughtful comments and develop relationships with other bloggers. Write a guest post for a similar blog.
These are just a few tips you can employ to enhance your SEO copywriting and content marketing to get a more loyal, and numerous, following.