3 Quick Copy Tips to Boost Website Sales

July 17, 2008

 

When was the last time you reviewed your website? If it has been a few weeks, take a few minutes to read it over.

 

What are first-time visitors seeing when they click on your site?

 

If you want to boost sales, here are three, quick online copywriting tips to keep in mind:

 

1. Do you provide benefits right away?

Does your home page talk all about what you do, how long you’ve been in business and your credentials? That’s great, but your customers want to know what you can do for them – in seconds.

You may want to move your “company” information to the “about” or “bio” section of your website.

 

Then, you can use the home page to let visitors know they are in the right place and that your products and services can help solve their particular problems.

 

2. Are your verbs active?

Is your online copy written in the present tense or are you talking about things that happened in the past?

 

You can instantly add energy to your site by replacing all of your passive verbs (we worked with this client, we helped XYZ when they needed to raise funds, etc.) with verbs that describe a current action (get help now, take advantage of our 25% discount today, raise funds fast, etc.).

 

3. Do visitors know what to do?

When potential customers take the time to read your website copy, do they know what to do in order to contact you?

 

Each page should have a specific and easy call-to-action. Whether it’s registering for your newsletter, calling your sales department or actually purchasing a product online, be sure that website visitors know what they need to do to take action.

 

These are just three quick copy changes you can make to easily boost sales and conversion rates.

 

For your free copy of my new e-tipsheet, “20 Quick Online Copywriting Tips to Help Boost Website Sales in Minutes,” sign up for my free, monthly newsletter at www.rembrandtwrites.com. You’ll get valuable tips and information you can use to help boost sales and awareness fast!

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The Simple Secret to Boost Return Customers

July 10, 2008

If you want to increase return customers and upsell to current clients, there is one major thing that you need to take care of at the very beginning of every relationship – Expectations.

This may sound simple, but if you don’t spell out what you are going to provide for the money, you can run into major confusion and complications in the future. And it goes both ways. Your customers need to tell you what they expect too.

With this in mind, here are three key tips to think about when you begin to work on any new projects or customer sales:

1. Communicate goals.

Before you exchange funds, products and/or services, talk about final outcomes and what you both expect out of the relationship.

You should understand potential issues, tactics, budget constraints, potential results, and any other important details prior to working together.

2. Get it in writing.

Whether it’s a stream of e-mails or an official contract, write down exactly what you will provide and what the customer or client can expect from you.

Even if you have a casual relationship, this will help clarify actions, fees, deadlines, and potential results.

3. Stick to your plan.

Once your relationship is under way, be sure you provide what you promised. Stay in touch with your customers, and be sure they are aware of any changes or problems.

And to build a solid customer base and good word-of-mouth, go above and beyond customer expectations. Provide personal attention and extra services whenever possible.

By being honest and upfront with customers, you will reduce stress, meet deadlines and avoid unnecessary surprises.

And if you make the extra effort to provide customers with additional, unexpected services that exceed their expectations, you’ll be well on your way to surpassing the competition and boosting sales.

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Why Do You Need A Copywriter?

June 17, 2008

If you are tempted to save money and write your own marketing materials and website copy, please stop and think about it.

Although copywriters may be expensive, they can help you:

- Optimize conversion rates;

- Build credibility;

- Reach targeted audiences;

- Increase search engine placements;

- Assist you with your overall, Web architecture; and

- Grow sales fast!

And even if you are an excellent writer, it takes several hours of research and editing to create ”copy that sells.” This is time that you can spend on core business activities instead.

With this in mind, try to stop yourself from creating your marketing copy and materials. It is well worth it to outsource your copywriting needs.

You can focus on your area of expertise while your copywriter creates the words that will  produce results…Results that bring in new sales worth much more than his or her fees.

Thanks for reading. And next time, I’ll share some tips for finding the right copywriter for your specific needs.

Melanie

 

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Save Money and Grow Sales with the Right Publicist

June 10, 2008

If you are worried about your business budget with current economic conditions, you may want to review your public-relations efforts.

By hiring the right PR consultant who acts as an extension of your team (and actually cares about your overall success), you can save time, money and effort for many reasons:

1.  Stop wasting time on PR and writing efforts and focus on core business-strategies to bring in new customers, partners and sponsors.

2.  Enjoy the benefits of media placements and third-party credibility that are impossible to purchase via advertising.

3.  Experience a snowball effect once your story hits a major press venue. This builds more awareness and media attention at no additional cost.

4.  Receive individual attention, know what is going on with publicity efforts at all times and work quickly and cost-effectively.

5.  Use all of your new media clippings in your marketing efforts to build sales. 

These are just a few examples of how the right publicist can help you save time, money and effort…so if you haven’t already done so, you may want to start researching potential candidates and move your PR activities up on your business priority checklist.

Check back on Thursday for tips on choosing the right publicist!

In the meantime, please post your comments below, or visit my website at www.rembrandtwrites.com. Thanks!

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Thank You Tips-Part Two

June 5, 2008

On Monday, I discussed the importance of thanking reporters, customers, employees, and various business associates.

As you probably know, a simple thank you is a valuable tool for creating valuable relationships and customer loyalty.

How are you showing your appreciation?

After asking for some ideas for my Nielsen Small Business Resource Blog, I received many suggestions from small business owners nationwide. Here are some of their tips:

“Try to give thank you gifts that remind customers of the service or product you provide. Every holiday we give customers cookies and chocolate in the shape of construction tools. It’s more creative than just a gift basket and about the same price. We always receive favorable responses … and more business!” Todd Andrew, CEO of Andrew General Contractors, Inc.

“We like to send some of our latest product – CDs, DVDs, clothing. It’s cost effective and helps educate our clients on our latest and greatest products.” Beth Shaw, founder of YogaFit Training Systems.

“Have your picture taken with a client doing something interesting. Then have the picture professionally framed along with a momento of the event. I have done this repeatedly and smile whenever I visit a client’s office to find this hanging on the wall. Can you just imagine what my competition thinks when they walk in and see it?” Mary Cantando, WomanBusinessOwner.com.

Hopefully, you will take a few minutes to thank all of the people who have helped you and your business now and on a regular basis in the months ahead.

And with this in mind, I’d like to thank all of you for reading my blog and sharing your tips and insights with me. If you need PR or copywriting help, or have comments, please feel free to contact me. I wish you all the best and will share more tips soon!

Melanie

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Just Say Thanks-Tips to Improve Sales

June 2, 2008

As a small business owner, it is important to develop ongoing relationships with media members. And an important part of that process is thanking them for their assistance year-round.

The next time you see a quote or article in the media that includes information about your business, be sure to thank the reporter who wrote the story.

After dealing with stressful deadlines, pitches from hundreds of publicists and interview-scheduling, media members appreciate a note of thanks and a few comments about their hard work.

With this in mind, have you thanked your customers, partners, employees, and other business associates lately?

By taking a few minutes to send a simple thank you, you can help build valuable relationships, increase word-of-mouth and grow sales.

For Nielen’s Small Business Resource Center, I asked several small business owners how they say “thank you” was overwhelmed with responses. Here are some of their tips:

“To thank an executive for something I send a small gift to their children or their dog. Also, whatever they helped me with (say advice on a business problem) I follow-up and give them the resolution with a “your advice helped in blankety-blank.” They are usually curious of the outcome when they’ve “helped.” Debra Benton, President, Benton Management Resources, Inc.

“Special ways we can thank customers not only include thank you e-mails or letters, but also answering questions promptly and thoroughly, offering discounts for products or services, phone call follow-ups, and free tip sheets or reports that are applicable to the customer’s needs.” Jill Exler, Founder, jexbo™.

“One of the best ways we’ve found to say thanks to our customers is to give back to the community. Peavy’s Garage hosted a food drive for a local, Katy, Texas food pantry. In the past, we’ve been a part of blood drives and other events. We believe that by bringing the community together to make Katy a better place Peavy’s Garage is making life a little better for our customers.” Ken Peavy, Owner, Peavy’s Garage.

In my next blog entry, I’ll share more of these great thank-you tips. Perhaps you’ll be able to use some of these ideas or be inspired to create your own appreciation efforts specifically for your customers and business associates!

And if you have some thoughts on this, please let me know here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’d love to hear them!

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Duct Tape Marketing Interview with John Jantsch

May 28, 2008

Photo_of_john_jantsch_2John Jantsch, author of “Duct Tape Marketing” and well-known marketing speaker, took a few minutes to share his thoughts on small business PR with me.

Here are his comments:

In your book, “Duct Tape Marketing,” you mention that PR is a “primary plank of your overall lead generation foundation.” Why do you think PR is so important to small business owners?

The fact is that some prospects find an article about your firm in a magazine much more compelling than an ad in the same publication. The third-party endorsement is big. In addition, it really helps resell your existing customers.

How do marketing efforts work with publicity campaigns to build business sales?

A good publicity strategy takes two tactics. Find and develop stories that support the firm’s core marketing messages and support specific initiatives like a sales promotion that partners with a non-profit organization.

How can small business owners develop good stories for the media to help increase positive awareness and credibility?

Understand that journalists don’t care about your business. They care about what their readers care about. Pitch stories that can help their readers get more of what they want. Usually, short of true, earth-shattering news, stories exist not in what you do, but how you do it. Your college reimbursement policy might be an interesting story. Your new product launch may not.

How can new entrepreneurs become good story-sources for reporters?

Read, contribute and be a resource. You probably get more specific information about your industry than a reporter cares to read. Send good content, comment on stories and point out data. Think in terms of giving before you ever try to pitch the big story. Use RSS tools to get a quick view of everything that your targeted journalists are writing about.

What RSS and PR tools do you recommend small business owners use in their publicity efforts?

Google News using the RSS subscribe, Bloglines to subscribe to and read RSS feeds, MySyndicaat to mash together lots of feeds into one custom feed, and FeedBurnerto enhance and easily republish feeds on your web site.

What tips can you provide small business owners who are new to talking to reporters?

Think of them as a target market. They must come to know, like and trust you before you will make much headway. They are often underpaid and overworked. How can you make their job easier? Prove you are a resource – not a pain in the butt.

What marketing tools do you think work best with PR efforts to increase sales cost-effectively?

Make sure you are using all the online PR tools in conjunction with your more traditional outreach. Links back from PR distribution sites can add valuable Google juice.

What action steps can people take now to start their public relations efforts?

Build a media list that makes sense. Don’t forget to include outreach to organizations, associations and school alumni newsletters. These publications are desperate for content and starting small is often the best way to get some PR momentum

What other tips and inspiration can you offer small business owners regarding their marketing and PR activities?

Write a one-page press release at least once a month and send it to your media list AND your customer and key prospects. You’ll be surprised what these extra touches will do for you.

You can read more about John and his book at Duct Tape Marketing. And if you need publicity help, have questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact me at info@rembrandtwrites.com. I’d love to hear from you! Thanks!

(original interview posted at my Nielsen Small Business Resource Center Blog)

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