Can improving your writing and messaging really engage more customers? The answer is YES.
That’s what a business blog is all about! Not to mention, a business blog is helpful for SEO, aka your Google and other search engine rankings.
Just think about what your business could achieve with more consistent website traffic. Not only do visitors to your website represent potential customers, but a well-crafted blog also helps to cement your brand in the minds of readers and encourages them to come back for more! Over time, this will help to turn your readers into customers.
Writing a blog can be a time-consuming task, so many business owners opt to hire a ghost blogger to do it for them. (We can help with this so if you need help, get in touch.)
But if you’re up for the challenge, learning to self-edit your posts is a great way to show off your brand.
Be clear about your writing goals
Having an expert blog can definitely help differentiate you from the crowd, but the most important purpose of your blog should be to let your prospects recognize and relate to your writing.
When you can do that, your readers will feel like you truly understand them.
We all want to feel understood, and good content gives readers the assurance that you can provide them with the answers they need to improve their lives.
Writing that resonates with readers builds trust, and when they trust you they’ll be more likely to remember you when it’s time to make a purchasing decision.
Now let’s get to work!
6 tips to self-edit your content for a stronger copy that attracts more customers:
1. Write directly to your reader
You can start to create content that speaks to your readers’ needs by addressing them directly. Use “you” and “your” to show your readers that you’re speaking to them and that you understand their needs. When you write in the second person, you’ll create content that resonates with your readers and helps you to differentiate yourself as an expert.
2. Ask agreeable questions
Imagine how much more connected your readers will be when you start off by asking a question that they can easily answer with a resounding “yes!” This makes them feel like you really get them and that your content is exactly what they need to find the answers they’re looking for. Plus, if they keep saying “yes” to you, they’ll start to think that your product or service is perfect for them.
3. Speak with an active voice
Do you know how to recognize an active voice vs. a passive voice?
Active Voice: The teacher asked the student a question.
Passive Voice: The student was asked a question by the teacher.
Storytelling that is confident and direct is more engaging, don’t you think? An active voice is a great way to give your writing a sense of decisiveness.
Try to recognize when you’re using the passive voice and make an effort to switch to an active voice. You’ll find your writing will be far more engaging and interesting.
4. Engage Readers with Trigger Words
As you write, keep in mind that you want to draw your readers in. Incorporate words that will stimulate their minds and make them pause to reflect. By using this strategy, you will have a much more engaged audience!
Words like “remember,” “imagine,” “consider,” “picture this,” and “what if?” can be powerful triggers for your readers. They get your audience thinking and make for great storytelling.
Adding “because” to your copy is also a great way to engage your readers and provide them with the answers they need to justify the worth of your content. People read your copy because they want something out of it, so make sure you give them the answers they’re looking for.
5. Use fewer adverbs
It may seem like using adverbs will emphasize your point, but they actually weaken it. Words like “very” and “really” don’t make your statement any more powerful. To make your point stronger, try using more descriptive verbs. Compare the difference between saying:
“I really want to go”
vs.
“I yearn to go.”
Swapping out “really” for “yearn” gives your story more oomph and avoids overusing weak, overused adverbs. There are plenty of other ways to express strong sentiments without relying on the same words.
6. Use Formatting to Stand Out
If you want people to stick around when they visit your website, you need to make sure your content is inviting and easy to understand.
Online readers have a lot of information coming at them, so you need to grab their attention right away. If you can do that, they’ll stay on your page longer and your website’s analytics will show a lower bounce rate.
Consider using bulleted and numbered lists to organize your thoughts:
- Break up ideas with shorter paragraphs
- Use more white space
- Create bulleted and numbered lists to break up your content makes it easier to read
- Include more H1, H2, and H3 headers to make your content easier to scan
- Bold, underline, italicize, and capitalize important words to draw attention to them
- Long paragraphs don’t read well on the web. It’s best to break them up with shorter paragraphs and more white space.
Your headings are an important way to show readers the value of your content. Formatting them with H1, H2, and H3 will make them stand out, plus it’s great for SEO.
For extra emphasis, try using bold, underlined, italicized, and capitalized words to draw attention to your key ideas and make the page more interesting.
How effective are these writing tips?
I’ve applied these 6 writing tips to this blog post and I’m eager to hear your opinion. Are they effective?
Research, trends, and analytics show that these methods are extremely effective. Professional writers swear by them, so why not give them a try? You’ll be surprised at how successful they can be!
Working with a professional ghost blogger can be a great way to get quality content that really speaks to your customers. It can also save you time and money. Get in touch if you’d like help. But if you’re up for the challenge, you can write successful blog posts yourself too!
Bookmark this writing checklist and refer back to it when you’re editing your own content. Practicing these techniques will soon become second nature and help you to reach your writing’s full potential.
