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Tag: Web Call to Action

Why Does Your Blog Need A Call-to-Action?

Written by Peter Beare on .

Every blog post and, in fact, every business related communication should have a call-to-action.  It can determine your success and here is why.  At a basic level, you are selling.  Through your business blog, you offer information, advise, and direction based on your knowledge and expertise.

In sharing your expertise, it is natural to anticipate that your readers will do something for you in return.  To increase your odds of success, you need to be clear on the following four points. 

What is a call-to-action?

A  call-to-action is a short sentence that is written as a command and the good ones almost always begin with a verb.  Its purpose is to get the reader to perform a particular action.  You see  calls-to-action everywhere.  Some good examples are

  • Join now to…
  • Register now to …
  • Learn more…
  • Sign up for free
  • Buy now and…
  • Request a quote
 
Ultimately, what are they asking for?  Think about that and we’ll get back to it later.
 
 

When should you use a  call-to-action?

Whenever you can!  Place a call-to-action in your blog description and in each blog post or article.  Make sure that action that will connect your readers back to you.  And this practice should go beyond your blog.  As mentioned, it should be used in all communication.  Think of all of the opportunities that you have to communcate with your customers.

  • eMail
  • Social Media (Facebook and Twitter)
  • Voicemail greetings
  • Letters
  • Business cards
  • Invoices and Billing Statements

 

Remeber, your blog audience has chosen to spend their time with you.  So don’t let them just wander away.  Encourage them to return.

Why use a  call-to-action ?

On the surface, the answer is obvious.   You want support from your audience.   You want them to follow your direction to “Sign Up” or “Order Now” or “Download” your information.  However, there is more to it than that.  A  call-to-action is the courteous thing to do, because you are inviting your readers into conversation and giving them a way to stay connected and informed. 

Where do you use a  call-to-action?­­­­­­

call to action buttons

Place your call to action at the end of your commuication.  It is the most obvious place and is expected unconsciously by your audience.  The anticipation actually increases the probability that your readers will act.  Many bloggers rely on buttons.  Call to action buttons work and they are even more effective when you reinforce them with direction.  If you want your reaers to “SUBSCRIBE” to your blog, “LIKE” you or “FOLLOW” you, then guide your readers to those buttons and tell them to “CLICK.”  

When you sit down to write your next blog, remember this: You don’t get anything that you don’t ask for.  Don’t forget to ask!  Remember that question “Ultimately, what are they asking for?”  The answer is permission marketing and we will cover that in our next blog.

So here is my call to action:  Scroll to top of this blog.  Click on the SUCSCRIBE button.  Fill in your name and email address.  You will be entered to will a FREE registration to our Easy Blog Coach class in September and two 30 minute coaching sessions.

Want An Easier Way to Write A Blog? Use These 5 Steps

Written by Peter Beare on .

I had lunch with a friend today, David Wright, who told me that his current burning desire was to find an easier way to write his blog.  Of course that was right down my alley and very lively discussion followed.  By the end of lunch we had a list of 5 ideas that would make his life a little easier.  So I am sharing our conversation with you in hopes that you may find a useful tip or two.

Part of my job as a coach is to discover the roadblocks for my customers.  In our discussion, I found that David was having difficulty meeting his goal of 400 words in his articles.  And even more crucial, he was not comfortable with the appearance of the narrative in his posts.  David is a photographer.  So it’s natural that  composition is important to him.  Being unhappy with the structure of his blog was a critical stumbling block.  It took us about ten minutes to determine his barriers.  We spent the rest of our lunch working on a formula for him to follow.  Here it is.

  • The Point – Ensures that David’s blog post supports his call to action.
  • The Plan – Beyond a general or overall plan, a specific plan for his blog is a must
  • The List – Makes his blog post easy to scan and improves readability
  • The Links – Direct readers to key points and related material
  • The Look – Invites the readers to stay and enjoy David’s work

The Point:  Every post should have a point which results in a call to action for the reader.  The adage, “begin with the end in mind” works perfectly in this case.  What action do you want your reader to take?  Now begin jotting down your thoughts and lining up resources that help to demonstrate your point and lead your reader to action.

The Plan:  In our May 15th post, “Writing a Great Blog – The Process”, I noted a blog plan that is generic.  It’s brief, uncomplicated and should work for just about anyone.   However, if you want an easier way  to write a blog post, you need to plan for that as well.  David and I had a great time talking about the planning that he will begin using for his posts.

A very sought after wedding photographer, David has photographed destination weddings all over the world.  Blogging about these wonderful experiences can attract a loyal group of followers.  We added just a few questions to his interview checklist and with that information, he will be writing the most fascinating blogs entries.  In the future, David will ask each couple for the story of their engagement, how thethe cakeClick on this cake there are more to see!y chose their rings, their wedding location, their cake and other experiences that stand out for them.

The List:  Now instead of a long narrative, David will list the highlights of the wedding with bullet point titles like “The Rings”; “The Cake” and “The Kiss”.  Bullet points make scanning the blog easy.  Adding a brief description to each bullet point helps the reader to choose which point they want to follow first.

The Links:  Making each bullet point a link within the blog is a great way to draw readers further into his blog.  Honestly, who isn’t going to click on The Kiss?  And links improve SEO as well.  Using images as links can create a wonderful story line throughout his blog.  They can also  promote affiliate relationships that may bring future business.  For example, David could highlight a particular cake designer by adding a caption to the cake image and then linking to several images of that designer’s cakes.  It may even help to monetize his blog.

The Look: David will let his photography lead the reader through his blog so that they naturally arrive at his call to action.  His pictures are “The Point” of his blog post.  Using great captions and fun stories with each photograph will create and experience and put the reader in the mind to act.

And that brings me to the topic of our next blog which will be how to write a great call to action.

If you would like your own formula for an easier way to write a blog, just click HELP and we’ll schedule a time to talk.

ALSO watch for our next EasyBlog Class.  We’ll keep you posted.