Using “Did-You-Knows” to Suggest “Don’t-You-Wants?”

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Did you know that a) Asia is bigger than the moon? b) Alaska is the westernmost, easternmost, and northernmost state in the U.S.? c) Maine is the closest state to Africa? These are just three of the “facts that will change how you look at the world“.

As a blog content writer, I find seemingly “useless” tidbits of information extraordinarily useful for capturing readers’ interest, adding variety and fun. But much more than that, I teach at Say It For You, tidbits can be used to: 1. describe your way of doing business 2. clarify the way one of your products works 3.explain why a service you provide is particularly effective in solving a problem 4. Debunk myths about your business or profession.

For all these reasons, in corporate blogging training sessions, I often recommend including interesting tidbits on topics related to your business (or, if you’re a freelance blog content writer, related to the client’s business). If you can provide information most readers wouldn’t be likely to know, so much the better, because that information helps engage online readers’ interest.

The big caveat, however, when using tidbits and unusual facts is that the information has to be tied to the readers’ problem or need. Why does the business owner or practitioner care about the information? Why will the info potentially make a difference to readers? The secret is creating a clear thought path from the fascinating facts to the benefits online readers stand to gain.

For example, a travel agency blog might use the fact that Maine is the state closest to Africa to promote a tour of Quoddy Head Light, a quaint Maine lighthouse located at the easternmost point of the United States.

A travel agency might also spark interest in travel to Asia using that tidbit about the continent being bigger than the moon. But there could be marketing power in that fact for other enterprises as well. Because the brain perceives the moon as being farther away when it is high in the sky and closer when it is near the horizon, appearing larger when viewed through trees or buildings, Krisztian Komandi blogs in medium.com about the influence of optical illusions on business decisions. A fashion blog can explain how certain fabric cuts make the waist appear more chiseled.

A little-known fact can become the jumping-off point for blog marketing content.

 

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Blogging About Other Ways to Reach the Goal

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“The MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) is just one of many ways to develop voice and skill as a writer,” Emma Komos-Hrobsky explains in Poets and Writers Magazine. In fact, the author goes on to name no fewer than 21 educational opportunities in the form of writing classes and seminars offered by organizations around the country.

“There’s one common mistake we often make when it comes to setting goals,” James Clear writes in blog.idonethis.com: We set a timeline, but not a schedule. “We need to focus on the practice, not the performance,” he adds.

How do these lessons about reaching a goal apply to content writing? “If you’ve ever googled instructions for how to perform a specific task, then you know the importance of high-quality how-to content,’ Julia McCory writes in seachengineland.com. By giving them content that’s actually helpful, you prove your expertise and building trust and affinity with your readers, McCory explains.

However, she cautions, it’s important to realize that a teaching mindset is entirely different from an information-sharing, entertaining, or analytical mindset. To be successful, you need to:

  • use detailed explanations
  • give step-by-step instructions
  • offer lots of examples
  • put yourself in the readers’ shoes

    At Say It For You, we’re always conscious that readers of our business or practice owners’ blog posts have many alternatives from which to choose. For a health coach focusing on weight loss, for example, potential clients might choose diet meal delivery, cosmetic “fat freezing” procedures, or personal trainers. One of the main challenges of content marketing is differentiating the product or service from alternative choices open to the prospect.

While the Poets and Writers Magazine article is valuable is that it reassures readers that a number of viable educational avenues exist, one point I often stress in blogging training sessions is that you need to do more than present a list of alternatives; it’s important that you voice an opinion, a slant, on the information you’re serving up for readers.

By all means, blog about alternative ways to reach a goal, but, by suggesting questions readers can ask themselves when choosing among many options, you can help them arrive, on their own, at the conclusion that the solution you’re marketing is the optimal choice.

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Staying Afloat – Key Web Changes for Business Resilience

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In the fast-changing world of business, your website could be your secret weapon for survival and prosperity. By focusing on a few critical web-based tweaks, your business can remain agile and robust even when the economic climate gets tough. The key lies in ensuring that your digital face to the world stays both functional and appealing. In this article, we delve into seven essential changes to make on your website that can help your business navigate rough waters.

Ensure Your Site is User-Friendly

Nobody likes a complicated website. Making your website’s menu and categories as clear and straightforward as possible ensures that users can easily find what they’re looking for. It’s equally important to ensure that your website functions well on mobile devices, as a significant amount of traffic comes from smartphones and tablets.

Quicken the Loading Speed

A slow-loading website can be a business killer. To enhance the speed of your site, consider compressing your images and eliminating redundant plugins that slow things down. Investing in a reputable hosting service can also go a long way in reducing downtime and increasing loading speed, which in turn keeps potential customers engaged.

Master the Art of SEO

Improving your website’s SEO is crucial for attracting more visitors. To get started, identify keywords that are pertinent to your business and are often searched for by potential customers. Once you’ve selected your keywords, integrate them seamlessly into your website’s metadata, headers, and throughout the content. This will improve your chances of being visible on search engines, thus drawing more traffic to your site.

Utilize AI and Automation

Automation can be a real lifesaver in hectic times. Consider setting up automated responses for common customer inquiries to lighten your team’s workload. Moreover, generative AI can help create personalized content that captures the user’s interest. AI-driven tools can even assist in auto-generating articles or personalized marketing messages, saving you time and money. Check this out to learn more about AI and automation.

Create Captivating Content

While SEO can draw people to your website, the content keeps them there. Aim for content that is not just engaging but also provides value to the reader. Keep your blog and product listings fresh by updating them regularly. Fresh content not only improves SEO but also establishes your business as a thought leader in your field, encouraging repeat visits and customer loyalty. When you’re ready to take your content marketing to the next level, Say It For You offers top-quality, professional content creation services tailored to your business needs.

Affordably Revamp Your Logo

Marketing doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. Online platforms offer various advertising options that are affordable and effective. If you’re looking for a quick facelift, consider designing a new text logo to stand out. Free templates are available to help you create logos and other branding materials without breaking the bank.

Improve Checkout

If your business sells products, integrating an online store into your website is almost a necessity. However, you must make the shopping experience as effortless as possible. This involves not just an intuitive interface but also a secure and easy-to-use checkout process. Making it convenient for customers to complete their purchases is likely to boost sales and encourage repeat business.

 

Incorporating these seven web enhancements can give your business the flexibility and resilience it needs to succeed in a fluctuating market. A well-tuned website is more than just a virtual storefront; it’s a customer magnet and a stabilizing force for your business. By staying ahead of the curve and continually refining your online strategy by taking steps like introducing automation and AI and revamping your logo, your website will prove to be a priceless asset during hard times.

This guest post  was contributed by Seth Murphy.

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Mastering the Art of Blogging: Pro Tips and Strategies

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Guest post contributed by Arjun Raaj in India

In today’s digital age, blogging has become an essential tool for individuals and businesses alike to connect with a global audience, share valuable insights, and establish authority in various niches. However, with millions of blogs on the internet, standing out and mastering the art of blogging is no easy task.

Why Blogging Matters
Before diving into the tips and strategies, let’s understand why blogging matters. Blogs are versatile platforms that can serve various purposes, including:

  • Building Authority: Consistently publishing high-quality content in your niche helps establish yourself as an expert in your field.
  • Driving Traffic: Blogs can be a significant source of organic traffic to your website, boosting your online presence.
  • Engaging Your Audience: Blogs allow you to engage with your audience, foster relationships, and receive feedback.
  • Monetization: Successful blogs can generate income through various monetization methods, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling products or services.

Now, let’s delve into pro tips and strategies for mastering the art of blogging:

1. Define Your Niche and Audience
Successful blogging begins with a clear understanding of your niche and target audience. Your niche should be something you’re passionate about and have expertise in. By defining your niche, you can tailor your content to cater to a specific audience, making it more relevant and valuable.

2. Create High-Quality Content
Content is king in the blogging world. Focus on creating informative, engaging, and well-researched content that adds value to your readers. Use a mix of text, images, and multimedia elements to make your posts visually appealing and easy to digest.

3. Consistency Is Key
Consistency is crucial in blogging. Develop a posting schedule that you can realistically adhere to. Whether it’s once a week or once a month, consistency helps build trust with your audience and improves your blog’s search engine ranking.

4. Optimize for SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for increasing your blog’s visibility. Research keywords relevant to your niche and incorporate them naturally into your content. Use meta descriptions, alt tags for images, and optimize your blog’s structure for SEO.

5. Engage with Your Audience
Engaging with your readers fosters a sense of community and encourages them to return. Respond to comments, answer questions, and seek feedback. Consider creating a mailing list to stay in touch with your audience through newsletters.

6. Network and Collaborate
Building relationships with other bloggers in your niche can be mutually beneficial. Networking can lead to guest post opportunities, backlinks, and a broader reach. Collaboration with influencers or complementary businesses can also expand your audience.

7. Promote Your Content
Creating great content is only half the battle; promoting it is the other half. Share your blog posts on social media, use email marketing, and consider paid advertising to reach a wider audience.

8. Monitor Analytics
Use tools like Google Analytics to track your blog’s performance. Analyze metrics such as traffic, bounce rate, and conversion rates to gain insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.

9. Stay Updated
Blogging is an ever-evolving field. Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and changes in search engine algorithms. Adapt your strategies accordingly to remain competitive.

10. Be Patient and Persistent
Blogging success takes time. Don’t be discouraged by slow growth initially. Stay persistent, learn from your mistakes, and keep refining your approach.

Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering the art of blogging requires dedication, continuous learning, and a passion for creating valuable content. By defining your niche, consistently producing high-quality content, and engaging with your audience and you can increase organic traffic, you can also build a successful blog that stands the test of time.

Remember, blogging is not just about the destination; it’s also about the journey of self-expression, learning, and growth. Happy blogging!

 

 

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Why a This When You Can Have a That?

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“Just as you need to understand customers’ needs, values and wants, you also need to have pride in your business and the quality of your products or services,” Richard Forest writes in a LinkedIn post. “When a customer agrees to a sales conversation with you, they’re probably seeking advice, and it’s your responsibility to provide this advice, based on your specialist knowledge.” Skilled sales people, Forest posits, begin by concentrating on a vision of what the customer ultimately wants as an ideal outcome.

But, what if the best means of achieving that outcome is one the customer isn’t aware exists as an alternative? As a content writer, I was taken by an ad in the AARP Magazine, titled “Why have a stairlift when you can have a Homelift?” The article* begins by summarizing the limitations of a stairlift (it won’t carry a walker or wheelchair; it’s slow; it can fit in only one spot in your home, has noisy vacuum system, requires a machine room), going on to suggest an alternative solution the buyer probably hadn’t considered – an elevator.
*There are a number of vendors of home elevator vendors – I’m merely using this particular ad to make a point about marketing techniques.

“Now, more than ever, clients are looking for firms with a distinct and differentiated point of view (POV) on how to solve the pressing business problems they face,” rattleback.com explains. “Buyers don’t want to waste time on solutions that aren’t a good fit,” forcemanagement.com points out.  When a product or service is new to the marketplace, simple claims are typically accepted by buyers, marketing maven Eugene Schwartz posits.  “As the market matures, and the same promise is made over and over by different providers, the market progresses to a new level of sophistication. Marketers need to enlarge their claims. As the market reaches a third, even more advanced, level of sophistication, it becomes necessary to market through unique value propositions.”

Blogging has “come into its own” as an important marketing tactic precisely because it is so prospect-centered, we realize at Say It For You .Through pull marketing, blogs connect those in need of solutions with precisely those who can provide those solutions. But with so many alternative solutions available, the key to content marketing success may lie in posing the question: “Why buy a this when you can have a that?”

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