Online Marketing for Local Business
Posts tagged web writing
Freelancer Writers Are The Wave Of The Future
14 years
by admin
in Uncategorized
The concept of freelancing has been around for a long time, but has really caught on over the last few years. As unemployment has risen, more people are now working for themselves. Freelancers are professionals in their own fields (writing & editing, graphic design, social media communicators, web & IT, etc.) and offer their specialized services to other companies and organizations.
Why do companies need freelance writing services?
The tough economy has caused many companies to downsize their staff, including cuts in the marketing department. This may prove especially problematic in the future, as few analysts are predicting a booming recovery anytime soon, yet business must still carry on as usual. Other companies don’t need a full-time in-house writer, regardless of the economy.
Hiring someone who isn’t on the regular payroll or who requires regular benefits, but works on a project or “contract” basis, can add very beneficial flexibility to your organization. And hiring a freelance writer frees up your employees to do their jobs – without worrying about researching, writing, editing and proofreading.
You shouldn’t forget that your online content is critical to your success. Don’t underestimate its importance! As mentioned on our homepage, not only does it persuade those who visit your website today, but actually generates your future traffic through its SEO value.
If you already have content on your site, analyze it to make sure it is serving its true purpose. If you are thinking of building a new website, decide what it is you want the content to do for you. We can create content that effectively communicates with your visitors, educates them, guides them through the website and pushes them to make a purchase.
By developing a good working relationship with a freelance writer, you can rely on them to get to know you, and your needs…and become a vital resource for your business.
Every Web Page Should Be A Marketing Page
14 years
by admin
in Uncategorized
Your website’s content will get noticed (read) if you use your headline and first paragraph to let readers know precisely “what’s in it” for them. Here are some techniques to make that happen.
First, you can’t know which page web visitors will see first, since there are many different ways to enter a site. Some will land on the homepage for sure, but blog posts and other content will show up in search engines (that’s the hope, at least!)…so don’t assume that any one page is more important than the rest, although the homepage does deserve the most attention.
Second, only a tiny percentatge of visitors will be responding to even the highest quality ads. You’ll have to work a bit harder for the rest of your readers. To get conversions, you’ll have to use the content on all your web pages.
Who Is Your Site For, What Do They Want?
When you’re busy creating content, it’s easy to focus on SEO and forget that your website exists to sell your products and services! Even if you don’t forget such a thing, can the same be said of everybody who writes for you? It’s sometimes hard for experts in a field to put themselves in the shoes of a visitor, who will spare just a few seconds to find a reason to read the content.
When constructing an argument or presenting a product, it seems logical to first present the building blocks of your case before giving the end result. The end results should be something that will make your readers’ lives better.
People Purchase Benefits Not Features
You should always spell out the benefits before describing features. A feature is a description of what you’re selling or offering. Benefits are more important, they are the things that those features do for your customers.
For instance, people don’t purchase light bulbs for features like being long lasting, bright, and cheap! People purchase light bulbs because they don’t want to live in the dark, and for benefits like “saving money” or maybe “saving the planet”.
Your Headline Is The Most Important Part Of Your Content
If your headline does not promise something of interest, then your article won’t get read and you’ll struggle to sell. This is because most visitors arrive at a page, read a headline and then make a decision to stay or go.
*Also, please note that these guidelines are just as appropriate for blog posts, e-newsletters and other online communications!
A few good guidelines for headlines:
Promise benefits – tell readers exactly what your content will do for them
Don’t make readers think too much, don’t be overly clever, obscure or ironic
Don’t make visitors read the story to then understand the headline
Do ask a question about a problem and then entice with a solution
Do provide things Top 10 lists or 3 Best Ways To…
Do make sure your first paragraph is as clear as possible, elaborating on the most important idea you’re trying to get across
Are You Killing Your Productivity? 6 Things to Watch Out For
14 years
by admin
in Uncategorized
It doesn’t matter if you have 100 hundred clients, or just a few, if you are a freelancer, entrepreneur or small business owner, you’ve been faced with the task of squeezing every last of productivity out of your typical workweek.
But there are ways that even the most experienced freelance veterans can sabotage their time management, and the amount of time spent each week on constructive, productive work. Some of the worst offenders include:
1. Weak or Absent Goal Setting
2. Sacrificing Your Health
3. Freelance Style Faux Pas
4. Playing the Victim
5. Time Bombs
6. Senseless Acts of Procrastination
Read about these top productivity killers to learn ways to avoid these time traps!