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	<title>Freelance Copywriter&#039;s Blog &#187; website copywriting</title>
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		<title>Copywriting &#8211; Intelligent Disobedience</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3145/copywriting-intelligent-disobedience/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3145/copywriting-intelligent-disobedience/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:46:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[brochure copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conversion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriting tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=3145</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You’ve finally done it. It was a job that remained on your to-do list for months, but finally, you’ve completed your new website copy or brochure content. Your copy is error free (well, as far you can see), reads superbly and most importantly, can now be crossed off your to-do list. Once it’s been uploaded [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You’ve finally done it.</p>
<p>It was a job that remained on your to-do list for months, but finally, you’ve completed your new <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/services.html" target="_blank">website copy</a> or brochure content.</p>
<p>Your copy is error free (well, as far you can see), reads superbly and most importantly, can now be crossed off your to-do list.</p>
<p>Once it’s been uploaded or your shiny brochures have been received back from the printers (smelling divine), you sit back and wait for your phone to start ringing and the deluge of emails to pour into your inbox.</p>
<p>Strange, nothing’s happening…</p>
<h3><strong>Dogs can teach you a lot about copywriting</strong></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dogs-small.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-3145];player=img;"><img class="right" title="Intelligent disobedience" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dogs-small-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>These lovable rogues are my dogs – Jerry and Scooby.</p>
<p>As all dog owners will understand, they love to test my patience every time we go for a walk.</p>
<p>Jerry (the Springer Spaniel) is 11 now and slightly hard of hearing. Therefore, the commands he obeys are the ones he hears – and that’s not many.</p>
<p>Scooby (the Chocolate Labrador) on the other hand is only 5. He can hear and see me perfectly well, but that doesn’t mean he’ll always do as he’s told.</p>
<p>You see, Scooby has a condition known as ‘Intelligent Disobedience’. In other words, he’ll only do what I want him to do if there’s something in it for him.</p>
<p>The fields around us are littered with rather unpleasant dead rabbits (myxomatosis seems to be rife this year). There is nothing Scooby loves more than to find these rabbits and either play or attempt to eat them (dogs will be dogs).</p>
<p>If I tell him ‘no’ in a stern tone, his thought process goes something like this:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Hmmm, she wants me to put this rabbit down. But I found it so it’s mine. She’s not going to run across this ploughed field after me so, no, I’m not going to put it down.</em></p></blockquote>
<p>A prime example of his Intelligent Disobedience – he’s thought about the command, decided there’s nothing it for him and therefore chooses to ignore me.</p>
<p>However, if I shout ‘no’ as I place my hand in my jacket pocket – the one he knows contains his favourite doggy treats – this is more likely to be his response:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>I don’t want to put my rabbit down. Hang on, her hand’s in her pocket…hmmm, do I want a smelly rabbit or one of those delicious treats she buys me. No contest, goodbye rabbit – I’m coming mum!!</em></p></blockquote>
<p>This time, even though Scooby didn’t really want to put his rabbit down he knew that if he did he would be rewarded with his favourite treat.</p>
<h3><strong>What on earth does this have to do with copywriting?</strong></h3>
<p>You are probably beginning to think I’ve finally lost it.</p>
<p>Bear with me, all will become clear.</p>
<p>Let’s go back to the copy we talked about at the start of this blog. Something’s wrong because it’s not converting readers into customers. Your readers are displaying their Intelligent Disobedience.</p>
<p>The most likely cause is that you haven’t written it for your reader. Everything you write must be aimed at your customers. It has to tell them what they want to know, not what you think they ought to know.</p>
<p>In a nutshell that means writing about <strong>the benefits of your product or service.</strong></p>
<p>For example, if you were writing about a sofa and told your reader it comes in 6 colours, seats 3 people and has wooden casters, the most likely reaction would be ‘so what?’ That could relate to any sofa, you haven&#8217;t given them any good reasons to buy yours, therefore they have made the decision not to buy.</p>
<p>But if you told them:</p>
<ul>
<li>It’s made of hand stitched fine Italian leather</li>
<li>It’s the latest design, so this is your chance to be the first to own such a luxurious piece of furniture</li>
<li>It will transform any room, creating an air of chic luxury</li>
<li>The same sofa is currently gracing no less than 3 movie star homes</li>
</ul>
<p>Your reader is more likely to think ‘yes, I must have that sofa!’</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Well, the first scenario simply tells them what the sofa is and doesn’t offer them anything in return for their investment.</p>
<p>Yes, I know, they will get the sofa – but’s that all.</p>
<p>In the second scenario, you are not only selling a sofa, you’re also selling a life style. Basically, it’s telling your reader that not only will they get the sofa, they’ll also own the latest design, a piece of furniture that will create an air of luxurious chic in their home, in fact a movie star life style!</p>
<p>An extreme example I grant you, but it serves as an illustration of how selling the benefits of your product will make your reader decided to buy.</p>
<h3><strong>Over to you </strong></h3>
<p>If you want to avoid Intelligent Disobedience in your customers, always make sure your copy sells the <strong>benefits </strong>of your products or services.</p>
<p>That means concentrating on what your product/service will do for your customer. Whether it’s aesthetic like the above example or more tangible (i.e. saving them money etc.), your customers will want to know what’s in it for them if they buy from you.</p>
<p>How do you sell the benefits of your product/service? Have you come up with any innovative techniques that really work? If so, leave a comment below and share them with us.</p>
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		<title>Copywriting for the Mobile World</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3120/copywriting-for-the-mobile-world/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3120/copywriting-for-the-mobile-world/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:19:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[copywriting tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile website copy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile websites]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=3120</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The whole world is going mobile – well, it seems like it. According to Ofcom, 27% of UK adults and 47% of teenagers own a smartphone.  So it’s hardly surprising so many companies are looking to the mobile market and tailoring their online marketing accordingly. You could be forgiven for thinking that users will simply [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/mobile-phone.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-3120];player=img;"><img class="left" title="mobile phone" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/mobile-phone.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="288" /></a>The whole world is going mobile – well, it seems like it.</p>
<p>According to Ofcom, 27% of UK adults and 47% of teenagers own a smartphone.  So it’s hardly surprising so many companies are looking to the mobile market and tailoring their online marketing accordingly.</p>
<p>You could be forgiven for thinking that users will simply browse your website through their handset so there’s no need for additional investment in a mobile website. But that’s not what a recent study would suggest.</p>
<p>The study by the marketing technology provider <a href="http://www.unica.com/survey2010">Unica</a> (link to PDF), suggests that according to their research:</p>
<ul>
<li>33% of companies are already using mobile messaging, applications and websites as part of their marketing strategy</li>
<li>24% plan to use these tactics within 12 months</li>
<li>13% plan to use them in more than the next 12 months</li>
<li>20% had no plans</li>
<li>10% didn’t know</li>
</ul>
<p>The need for mobile websites is created because of the way mobile users use their smartphones.</p>
<h3> <strong>Creating powerful mobile website copy</strong></h3>
<p><strong> </strong>I, as a <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/">copywriter</a>, know all too well that readers can get very easily distracted. So the copy has to be succinct, precise and easy to understand.</p>
<p>The problems are that mobile users are even more distracted than PC browsers. They will be interrupted by phone calls, texts, and push notifications. So your information has to be fast and easily absorbed.</p>
<p>They are probably surfing for research, for specific information or to compare products. But whatever their reason, they will need information quickly.</p>
<p>Because of the small screen size they’ll be viewing your content on your copy has to be:</p>
<ul>
<li> Tightly focused</li>
<li>Short</li>
<li>Easy to understand</li>
</ul>
<p>Although all copy should have these traits, you have more leeway on a normal website. Your mobile copy must concentrate on the goal of that page and strip everything else out. A short paragraph on your computer screen may cause a mobile user to scroll for eternity to reach the information they need.</p>
<p>Writing mobile more copy is more akin to Twitter or texting. You have to get your massage across quickly and in as few words as possible. Of course, you must never forget to include you call to action.</p>
<p>More and more people are browsing the web through their mobile devices so it’s imperative your marketing strategy takes this into account.</p>
<h3><strong>Over to you</strong></h3>
<p>Do you already have a mobile website? Are you thinking about investing in one soon?</p>
<p>Whatever your experience of mobile browsing, leave a comment below and share it with us.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Has Your Call to Action Gone AWOL?</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3092/has-your-call-to-action-gone-awol/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3092/has-your-call-to-action-gone-awol/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:14:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriting tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[email copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freelance copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Call to action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=3092</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Creating eye-catching, interesting and relevant copy is not easy. Whether you write your own in-house, or you hire in a professional copywriter, your copy has to address your reader directly and really sell the benefits of your product or service. Let’s assume for a moment that you’ve got some stonking copy written. Your website looks [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="left" title="awol" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/awol.jpg" alt="CTA AWOL" width="287" height="191" />Creating eye-catching, interesting and relevant copy is not easy.</p>
<p>Whether you write your own in-house, or you hire in a <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/" target="_blank">professional copywriter</a>, your copy has to address your reader directly and really sell the benefits of your product or service.</p>
<p>Let’s assume for a moment that you’ve got some stonking copy written. Your website looks amazing and has all the latest social gadgets and gizmos. Your brochures look slick and really grab attention. Even your emails are pretty snazzy.</p>
<p>But you’ve got a problem.</p>
<p>Despite all that, your conversions are really low. Your phone isn’t ringing and rather than your inbox being full of leads, it’s full of junk mail from companies trying to sell you Viagra.</p>
<p>What’s gone wrong?</p>
<h3><strong>Your CTA is AWOL</strong></h3>
<p>The most probable cause is your Call to Action (CTA), or rather lack of one.</p>
<p>There is an argument that states that your customers are intelligent and will therefore know what you want them to do.</p>
<p>Granted, they are most probably intelligent, but that doesn’t mean they will make contact with you. If you want that to happen, you have to tell them that’s what you want them to do.</p>
<p>A clear, commanding and effective Call to Action is the crowning glory of your copy.</p>
<p><strong>1. Relevant</strong></p>
<p>The first thing to remember is that your CTA must be relevant to your business.</p>
<p>If you want them to sign up for a newsletter, tell them and provide a link so they can do it easily. If you want them to call you, tell them and give them your phone number.</p>
<p><strong>2. Commanding and clear</strong></p>
<p>Don’t make them hunt round your copy for your CTA because they won’t bother. Make sure it stands out and is commanding.</p>
<p>Adding a line such as “It would be really nice, if it’s not too much bother, to hear from you. So if you have time, we’d be grateful if you could perhaps call us at a time that’s convenient to you” is not going to inspire them to pick up the phone.</p>
<p>“Call us on xxxxx”, “register now by clicking here”, “Email us today on xxxx@xxxxx for more information”.</p>
<p>Be commanding and tell them exactly what you want them to do.</p>
<p><strong>3. Make it part of your copy</strong></p>
<p>Your CTA doesn’t have to be left to the end of your web page, brochure or email. You can dot them liberally throughout the text. But make sure they fit the context.</p>
<p>If you randomly add one halfway through a text section it’s going to jar and leave your reader confused. Make sure the content immediately before your CTA leads up to it so it’s a natural progression.</p>
<p><strong>4. Make it visible</strong></p>
<p>You can make your CTA stand out by placing it in bold text and having it as a paragraph on its own. As I mentioned above, don’t feel as though you have to wait until the end before adding it.</p>
<p>If the content allows, add them in several locations so they are always visible to your reader. That way, as soon as they’ve decided they want to make contact, they can without having to hunt round for your details.</p>
<p>The best Calls to Action are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Clear</li>
<li>Simple</li>
<li>Commanding</li>
</ul>
<p>Be bold and tell your reader what you want them to do.</p>
<h3><strong>Over to you</strong></h3>
<p>Take a look at your marketing materials.</p>
<p>Do they all have clear CTAs? If not amend them quickly. If you don’t have a CTA, you’re unlikely to get great conversions.</p>
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		<title>How to Improve Your Website&#8217;s Conversion Rate</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3061/how-to-improve-your-websites-conversion-rate/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3061/how-to-improve-your-websites-conversion-rate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:59:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[conversion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website load time]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=3061</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Does your website work? Do you get regular traffic? Are you getting regular leads from your website? When, at a networking event, I asked those three questions to a businessman and website owner, this was his response: “I don’t have an ecommerce website, so that doesn’t apply to me. I have a website because everyone [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="left" title="confused" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/confusedreuniform.jpg" alt="" width="130" height="130" />Does your website work?</p>
<p>Do you get regular traffic?</p>
<p>Are you getting regular leads from your website?</p>
<p>When, at a networking event, I asked those three questions to a businessman and website owner, this was his response:</p>
<p>“I don’t have an ecommerce website, so that doesn’t apply to me. I have a website because everyone expects me to have one. It’s not as if businesses like mine sell through their website – that’s impossible.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, thinking like that, he’s never likely to sell through his website. And if he isn’t getting any leads from it that would suggest his website is poorly built and poorly written.</p>
<p>An easy-to-use structure and well-written site will boost your conversion rate (assuming your <a href="../2727/simple-seo-checks-any-small-business-can-make/" target="_blank">SEO strategy</a> is targeting the correct keywords). But there is another factor that is often ignored – the speed at which your website loads.</p>
<h3><strong>A slow loading website could lose you 7% of your potential conversions</strong></h3>
<p>According to a recent post on <a href="http://www.bryaneisenberg.com/2011/07/how-your-website-loses-7-of-potential-conversions/#axzz1Ve5XIBA3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bryan Eisenberg’s blog</a>, a 1 second delay in your download speed could result in:</p>
<ul>
<li>7% fewer conversions</li>
<li>11% fewer page views</li>
<li>16% decrease in customer satisfaction</li>
</ul>
<p>There are several factors that can affect your load speed, for example image size, social media buttons or the size of your website.</p>
<p>The optimum download time is under two seconds (this will help improve your rankings significantly). So how do you get your site to load faster?</p>
<ol start="1">
<li><strong>Check your speed</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>If you don’t monitor your speed, you won’t know how well you are performing. Use tools such as Google Analytics to help you with this. Bryan also suggests a couple of his favourite tools: <a href="http://analyze.websiteoptimization.com/wso" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Web Page Speed Report</a>, Yahoo’s <a href="http://developer.yahoo.com/yslow/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YSlow plugin</a>, Google’s <a href="http://code.google.com/speed/page-speed/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Page Speed</a> plug-in, <a href="http://loads.in/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Loads In</a> and <a href="http://www.webpagetest.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WebPagetest</a>.</p>
<p>There are others available but this will get you started.</p>
<p>Remember for every button and image you add to your website, you’ll be increasing the time it takes for your website to load.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Coding</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>This one is for your web designer to look at for you. The coding of your site (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) can also have an effect on download speeds, so it’s best to chat to your designer about what can be done to tweak it.</p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Images</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Images and graphics look great on websites. They can be used to illustrate your products or they can make your text more impactful. But the more you use, the higher your load time.</p>
<p>Condensing your images, using the right format for the right task and reducing the overall number will help.</p>
<h3><strong>Why you need to know this</strong></h3>
<p>If you have a website, you would have invested heavily in it. Therefore, why would you not expect to see a return on that investment?</p>
<p>A website isn’t an online brochure. It is a powerful sales tool. Available 24/7, it offers potential customers a means to get to understand your company and what you can do for them.</p>
<p>Every businesses website should sell. It should bring in leads – in essence, it should be your 24 hour sales team.</p>
<p>If you’re not getting leads from your site ask yourself why not? Review the structure, content, load time, keywords and analytics.</p>
<p>A business with a website that isn’t performing is like a High Street store that keeps its door locked all the time.</p>
<p>Review your website today and make sure it’s working for you.</p>
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		<title>How To Write Good SEO Copywriting</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3046/how-to-write-good-seo-copywriting/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3046/how-to-write-good-seo-copywriting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:17:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[search engine optimisation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SEO copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seo website copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[search engine copywriting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=3046</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From that list of ingredients, this post will look at the power of SEO copywriting. When done well it will help your search engine rankings, attract readers and convert them into sales. Done badly it could harm your rankings, repel customers and won’t convert a sausage. So how can you make sure you get it [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="centre" title="SEO recipe" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/recipe2.jpg" alt="" width="436" height="539" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">From that list of ingredients, this post will look at the power of <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/services.html" target="_blank">SEO copywriting</a>.</p>
<p>When done well it will help your search engine rankings, attract readers and convert them into sales.</p>
<p>Done badly it could harm your rankings, repel customers and won’t convert a sausage.</p>
<p>So how can you make sure you get it right?</p>
<h3><strong>5 signs of good SEO copy</strong></h3>
<p><span style="color: #888888;">1. Write for your reader</span></p>
<p>There is a popular misconception that SEO copy has to be written for the search engines.</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
<p>When writing your copy, always write it for your reader. Forget about keyword density – Google is more concerned with the amount of text, the topic you’re writing about (i.e. that your keywords in your title tags etc., are aligned with your content) and how hot the competition is for your particular keywords.</p>
<p>Always, always, always write to your reader first and foremost because they are the ones you want to read your copy and they are the ones you want to buy from you.</p>
<p><span style="color: #888888;">2. Don’t be repetitive</span></p>
<p>How many times have you read a website only to constantly hear the keywords being repeated?</p>
<p>Don’t stuff your copy with your keywords so it gets repetitive. After all if that was the only factor Google was interested in, all your competitor would have to do is insert one more keyword than you to rank higher.</p>
<p>And if that happened, the internet would be full of keyword-stuffed gibberish.</p>
<p><span style="color: #888888;">3. Don’t forget to link out</span></p>
<p>You already know the benefit of links into your website as part of your SEO strategy but don’t forget to link out too.</p>
<p>Linking out to authoritative articles not only adds to your reader experience and keeps Google happy; it could also help you attract inbound links.</p>
<p><span style="color: #888888;">4. Structure</span></p>
<p>Writing for the web is just like writing for anything else.</p>
<p>Your copy must be structured and attractive to the eye if you want people to read it.</p>
<p>Make sure it has a beginning, middle and an end with a strong headline. Split up your text into small paragraphs using sub headings as sign posts to help your reader skim the text.</p>
<p>Also, headings and subheadings are the ideal places for your primary and secondary keywords.</p>
<p><span style="color: #888888;">5. Be natural</span></p>
<p>There are loads of software programmes out there than can automate or spin articles for you. But they are no substitute for a well-considered, well-structured and well written article.</p>
<p>Don’t be tempted to use shortcuts.</p>
<p>So the moral of this post is to forget keyword density when it comes to your SEO copy. The most important thing to remember is to write for your reader. They are the ones you want to attract and they are the ones who you want to buy from you</p>
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		<title>Keeping Up With Google</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3002/keeping-up-with-google/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/3002/keeping-up-with-google/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:42:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Google]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Google algorithms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[search engine optimisation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=3002</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s very true when people say nothing in life ever stays the same. If you’re into internet marketing you will definitely appreciate that. Google is constantly changing its algorithms. One minute your website could be riding high, the next it could be sinking fast. But Google doesn’t do it just to be difficult. As a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="left" title="running" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/running-289x300.jpg" alt="" width="289" height="300" />It’s very true when people say nothing in life ever stays the same.</p>
<p>If you’re into internet marketing you will definitely appreciate that. Google is constantly changing its algorithms. One minute your website could be riding high, the next it could be sinking fast.</p>
<p>But Google doesn’t do it just to be difficult. As a search engine, Google’s number one priority is its users. The constant changes occur to improve the quality of its search results. This is what Google said about the latest change:</p>
<p><em>“<span style="color: #808080;">The “Panda” algorithm change has improved rankings for a large number of high-quality websites, so most of you reading have nothing to be concerned about. However, for the sites that may have been affected by Panda we wanted to provide additional guidance on how Google searches for high-quality site. Think about…</span></em></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Would you trust the information presented in this article?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Is this article written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it shallower in nature?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does the site have duplicate, overlapping, or redundant articles on the same or similar topics with slightly different keyword variations?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Would you be comfortable giving your credit card information to this site?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does this article have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Are the topics driven by genuine interests of readers of the site, or does the site generate content by attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does the article provide original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does the page provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>How much quality control is done on content?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does the article describe both sides of a story?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Is the site a recognized authority on its topic?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Is the content mass-produced by or outsourced to a large number of creators, or spread across a large network of sites, so that individual pages or sites don’t get as much attention or care? </em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Was the article edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>For a health related query, would you trust information from this site?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does this article provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does this article contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Does this article have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Would you expect to see this article in a printed magazine, encyclopaedia or book?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Are the articles short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Are the pages produced with great care and attention to detail vs. less attention to detail?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #808080;"><em>Would users complain when they see pages from this site?&#8221;</em></span></li>
</ul>
<p><em>(Source:</em> <em><a href="http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2011/05/more-guidance-on-building-high-quality.html">http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2011/05/more-guidance-on-building-high-quality.html</a>)</em></p>
<p>In essence, if you focus on publishing high quality content that your readers will want to read and share, you should be OK.</p>
<p><strong>7 Pillars of good websites</strong></p>
<p>To sum up what Google are talking about, here are 7 tips to help you enjoy some great rankings:</p>
<ol start="1">
<li>Make sure your website’s content is aimed at your reader at all times (not the search engines)</li>
<li>Your content must focus on quality not quantity</li>
<li>The links to your site must be quality links</li>
<li>Keep it social – although there is no direct evidence as to how this will help your rankings, Google is now providing real-time social sharing in its search results</li>
<li>Don’t duplicate content across websites as Google will only show the most relevant and original content</li>
<li>Don’t overdose on advertisements on your website</li>
<li>Make sure your title tags and META descriptions tell Google what your site is about (and make them meaningful and not just stuffed with your keywords)</li>
</ol>
<p>So there you go – make sure you write for your reader and not the search engines.</p>
<p>I think I’ll give Google the last word:</p>
<p><span style="color: #808080;"><em> “Our advice for publishers continues to be to focus on delivering the best possible user experience on your websites and not to focus too much on what they think are Google’s current ranking algorithms or signals”</em></span></p>
<p align="right"><em> </em><strong><em>Sally Ormond – <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/">copywriter</a>, blogger and social media addict who’s rather partial to toffee</em></strong></p>
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		<title>Do You Know What Your Brand Is?</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2946/do-you-know-what-your-brand-is/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2946/do-you-know-what-your-brand-is/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:50:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Branding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Branding for business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your business brand]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=2946</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you understand what your brand is? You do? Great, write it down as succinctly as you can. Now you have your idea of what your brand is written down, let’s look at what a brand really is and see if you were right. Knowing your brand If you run a business you probably spent [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="left" title="confused about branding" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/man.jpg" alt="" width="263" height="203" />Do you understand what your brand is?</p>
<p>You do? Great, write it down as succinctly as you can.</p>
<p>Now you have your idea of what your brand is written down, let’s look at what a brand really is and see if you were right.</p>
<h3><strong>Knowing your brand</strong></h3>
<p>If you run a business you probably spent a huge amount of time thinking about your brand when you started out. That would have equated to spending hours with a graphic designer to come up with a cool-looking logo.</p>
<p>Once that was done, you’re next job was to find a web designer and begin work to create a funky website that had all the latest gadgets and gizmos. Your logo was inserted into the header and there you go, your business was launched.</p>
<p>Was that it?</p>
<p>You have a logo, you have a website and therefore you have a brand?</p>
<p>[Take a look at what you wrote down at the start of this post – did you say logo?]</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not necessarily that straight forward.</p>
<p>Your brand is a lot more than just your logo. Branding is all about colour, graphics, words, design, perception, and it&#8217;s about you.</p>
<h3><strong>Are your values shining through?</strong></h3>
<p>Let&#8217;s go back a step or two.</p>
<p>Before you even begin to think brands, you have to understand your business and its values <strong>and</strong> who your customers are and their needs. That’s a lot to get your head round but it is vital if you’re to position yourself correctly in the market.</p>
<p>If you don’t understand your customers how can you position yourself correctly to attract them?</p>
<p>After all you&#8217;re aiming your products and services at them so the way they are &#8216;packaged&#8217; has to meet their needs and expectations.</p>
<p>This packaging includes:</p>
<p>- Your <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/services.html">website copywriting</a> and look<br />
- Marketing materials<br />
- Business cards<br />
- Logo<br />
- You</p>
<p>Surprised by the last one?</p>
<p>You shouldn&#8217;t be.</p>
<p>When in front of a potential customer, you are your business and your brand. If you don&#8217;t match the image your business portrays online (or through your literature) the disparity will be unnerving for your customer and give off mixed messages.</p>
<p>Let me elaborate – if your website projects a classic, well presented image and you turn up in jeans and a t-shirt your &#8216;brand&#8217; won&#8217;t gel.</p>
<p>A consistent and well thought out brand will instil trust. If your website reflects your business&#8217; values and activities through its words and design, your customer will instantly understand what you are offering them. It will give them an idea of how expensive you are likely to be, how open and approachable you are and whether you are a progressive company.</p>
<h3><strong>A fluid brand</strong></h3>
<p>Your brand will also be fluid.</p>
<p>If your business has been going for a few years I bet your customer base has changed. That means your brand must also reflect that change.</p>
<p>Therefore it is a good idea to revisit your brand every few years to ensure it is still giving a true picture of your business. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change your logo, although it may be something to think about if it no longer represents your business’ ethos.</p>
<p>This is me at the moment:</p>
<p><img class="left" title="branding" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/brand-300x90.png" alt="" width="300" height="90" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>As you can see my marketing materials and website aren’t singing from the same hymn sheet anymore. Although my website has done me well over the past few years, my client base has moved on since it was designed.</p>
<p>Now I have to rethink my image and market position to align my brand with the market I am now working with.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s a scary process and, at times, uncomfortable. Take my logo for example. I am rather attached to it and want to keep it. My proposed new website design is far more contemporary than my <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/" target="_blank">present one</a> and I feel it would sit well within it. Especially as my new site will be more &#8216;social&#8217; (i.e. more focus on social media). After all, if you look at my logo it has the appearance of a social media &#8216;button&#8217; &#8211; very forward thinking considering it was designed over 3 years ago!</p>
<h3><strong>Take a good look at yourself</strong></h3>
<p>Once you realise the complexity of your brand you can then start to work on your image and that of your business to project a uniform message.</p>
<p>Branding isn’t something that always gets the attention it deserves. In fact this post was prompted following a recent <a href="http://www.brandingforresults.co.uk/" target="_blank">branding workshop</a> I attended. As usual it’s not until someone else points these things out to you that you realise there’s a problem.</p>
<p>Branding is so much more than a logo.</p>
<p>Does your personal and company image gel or are you sending mixed messages? Please leave a comment and share your take on branding and how you arrived at the look you have for your business.</p>
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		<title>What’s the Purpose of Your Website?</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2922/what%e2%80%99s-the-purpose-of-your-website/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2922/what%e2%80%99s-the-purpose-of-your-website/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:12:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[copywriting tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=2922</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[That might sound like a strange question to ask. But think about it for a second – why do you have a website? If your immediate answer is ‘because everyone else has one’ you’re barking up the wrong tree. Yes, if you’re in business today you are expected to have a web presence but that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="left" title="barking up the wrong tree" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/dog-and-tree-294x300.jpg" alt="" width="294" height="300" />That might sound like a strange question to ask.</p>
<p>But think about it for a second – why do you have a website?</p>
<p>If your immediate answer is ‘<em>because everyone else has one’</em><strong> </strong>you’re barking up the wrong tree.</p>
<p>Yes, if you’re in business today you are expected to have a web presence but that shouldn’t be the sole reason for your website to exist.</p>
<p>Your website has to do something for you and, more importantly, something for your customers. Let me explain.</p>
<h3><strong>Your website and you</strong></h3>
<p>By having an effective presence on the web you will be able to:</p>
<p>Free up manpower because      your website should answer most of your customers’ questions</p>
<ul>
<li>Be a source of information      24/7</li>
<li>Help people find  you on the internet</li>
<li>Publicise events and your      latest news</li>
<li>Showcase you products and      services</li>
<li>Take orders online</li>
</ul>
<p>And that’s just for starters.</p>
<p>But it’s not just about that. Yes, all of those things will make your life easier and, to a certain extent, your customers’ lives. But your website isn’t just there to help you.</p>
<h3><strong>Your website and them</strong></h3>
<p>Who is ‘them’?</p>
<p>They are your customers. Your website is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week interface between you and your customers. As such it <a href="../2854/website-copywriting---sanitary-advice/" target="_blank">must speak to them directly</a>, address their needs and show them what you can do for them.</p>
<p>When they land on your website they want:</p>
<p>Great service</p>
<ul>
<li>A great experience</li>
<li>To be <a href="../2830/simple-website-tweaks-to-give-better-customer-satisfaction/" target="_blank">made to feel like an individual</a></li>
</ul>
<p>You see, for your customers the most important thing is what you’re going to do for them so first impressions are vital.</p>
<h3><strong>First impressions count</strong></h3>
<p>Whether you already have a website or are in the early stages of development, here are a few pointers to bear in mind when thinking about its design:</p>
<ul>
<li>Does it reflect you and      your values?</li>
<li>Can your customer tell      what you do from the design/layout?</li>
<li>Are your contact details      easy to find?</li>
<li>Does your website reflect      your brand values?</li>
<li>Does the copy talk to your      reader?</li>
<li>Is it selling you or the      benefits of your service?</li>
<li>Is it social?</li>
</ul>
<p>When someone first lands on your website they should be able to instantly see what you do. Your <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/" target="_blank">website copy</a> should be benefits led and your site navigation should be easy to use.</p>
<p>Also, make sure your contact details are prominent – after all, your customer is going to want to know that they can get hold of you if they need to. But you also need to consider social media. If it’s right for your business you must use social media – customers expect it. Make sure they can easily interact with you via Twitter and Facebook as well as via the telephone and email.</p>
<p>If you still think a website is just an online brochure, think again. Today your website must work for you. It has to show you are a progressive company that has embraced social media to open up the lines of communication with your customers.</p>
<p>It should be your primary marketing tool so make the most of it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Website Copywriting – Sanitary Advice</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2854/website-copywriting-%e2%80%93-sanitary-advice/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2854/website-copywriting-%e2%80%93-sanitary-advice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:06:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[copywriting tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=2854</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Take a look at your website. Have a quick read of it – have you we’d everywhere? Far too many company websites out there are suffering from a nasty bout of incontinence. Their website copy is littered with we. “We create wonderful furniture…” “We take customer service seriously…” “We have been working in this industry [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="left" title="loo" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/loo-268x300.jpg" alt="loo" width="268" height="300" />Take a look at your website.</p>
<p>Have a quick read of it – have you we’d everywhere?</p>
<p>Far too many company websites out there are suffering from a nasty bout of incontinence. Their website copy is littered with we.</p>
<p>“We create wonderful furniture…”</p>
<p>“We take customer service seriously…”</p>
<p>“We have been working in this industry for 40 years…”</p>
<p>Do I look as though I care about any of that?</p>
<p>No!</p>
<p>As a customer looking through your website, I couldn’t give a toss about what your company’s achieved, how big your sales team is or how long you’ve been in business.</p>
<p>There’s only one thing I want to know and that’s <strong>what will your product/service do for me?</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>I want you to talk to me and tell me you’re going to make my life better. I want to hear about how you’re going to save me time, make me more glamorous or save me loads of money.</p>
<p>But to do that you’ve got to ditch the ‘we’ and replace it with ‘you’.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/" target="_blank&quot;">Website copywriting</a> must address your reader at all times and that means writing in the second person.</p>
<p>Want an example?</p>
<p>OK, take a look at this text which I’ve taken from my website:<a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com" target="_blank"><img class="right" title="Briar Copywriting" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/website-300x300.jpg" alt="Briar Copywriting" width="210" height="210" /></a></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #808080;">A Freelance Copywriter Will Increase </span><span style="color: #ff0000;">Your</span> <span style="color: #808080;">Sales Conversion Rate </span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #808080;">Would </span><span style="color: #ff0000;">you</span> <span style="color: #808080;">like more time to do what</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">you</span> <span style="color: #808080;">do best?</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #808080;">Do</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">you</span> <span style="color: #808080;">want increased targeted traffic to</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">your</span> <span style="color: #808080;">website?</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #808080;">Do</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">you</span> <span style="color: #808080;">want</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">your </span><span style="color: #808080;">brochures and leaflets to produce more quality enquiries?</span></em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #808080;">Many businesses find they simply don&#8217;t have the time, confidence or skill to write their own website copy, sales emails or print marketing materials. Often time and money is wasted on expensive advertising which lacks persuasive power. But a freelance copywriter will re-energise</span><span style="color: #ff0000;"> your</span> <span style="color: #808080;">marketing copywriting to help</span><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #808080;"> </span>you</span> <span style="color: #808080;">achieve</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">your</span> <span style="color: #808080;">goals.</span> </em></p>
<p>See what I mean? All the way through the text I’m talking to the reader – no ‘we’ anywhere.</p>
<p>Granted I’m a <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/" target="_blank&quot;">website copywriter</a> (just one of the many copywriting services I offer), but this is an effect that is simple to create.</p>
<p>When composing your web copy:</p>
<ol>
<li>Forget about your company</li>
<li>Write as if you were      talking to a customer who was standing in front of you</li>
<li>Resist the urge to type ‘we’</li>
</ol>
<p>Using the second person will help you make a connection with your reader. Make them feel as though they are the most important person in the world.</p>
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		<title>Simple Website Tweaks to Give Better Customer Satisfaction</title>
		<link>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2830/simple-website-tweaks-to-give-better-customer-satisfaction/</link>
		<comments>http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/2830/simple-website-tweaks-to-give-better-customer-satisfaction/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:29:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[copywriting tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copywriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[making the most of your website]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website copy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/?p=2830</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As a business owner you want and need customers. Ideally those customers will be of the happy variety that come back time and time again and bring all their friends along too. But how do you make sure your website and customer service can generate that level of customer satisfaction? When shopping online, people want [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong> </strong><img class="left" title="hug" src="http://www.freelancecopywritersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/hug-212x300.jpg" alt="hug" width="212" height="300" />As a business owner you want and need customers.</p>
<p>Ideally those customers will be of the happy variety that come back time and time again and bring all their friends along too.</p>
<p>But how do you make sure your website and customer service can generate that level of customer satisfaction?</p>
<p>When shopping online, people want speed, simplicity and a warm and fuzzy feeling once they’ve completed their purchase.</p>
<p>Other than tracking them all down and giving them a hug, how can you achieve this through your website?</p>
<p>Here are a few ideas.</p>
<h3><strong>Speeding it up</strong></h3>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Your customers want to reach your site, find their product, and add it to their shopping basket and pay. So making that process as slick and fast as possible is essential.</p>
<p>Let’s start at the beginning.</p>
<p><strong>1. Loading your site</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Your website must load as quickly as possible because your customers aren’t going to hang around waiting for you. By reviewing all the images on your site and compressing them you’ll shorten the load time.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>2. Payment</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Jumping to the final stage of the buying process, you’ll need to offer a range of payment choices. Paypal is a must as it’s fast, safe and very convenient.</p>
<h3><strong>Simplicity</strong></h3>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>A mistake made by many companies is that their website is full of images, graphics, text and adverts making it impossible for the reader to navigate because there’s so much going on they don’t know which way to turn.</p>
<p>Keeping your site simple eases navigation and understanding.</p>
<p><strong>3. Review your text</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>How readable is your text? By slightly increasing your font size you’ll make your site more readable.</p>
<p><strong>4. White space</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>There’s nothing worse than a website that contains masses of solid text. You might think it conveys to the reader everything they need to know but that’s rather counterproductive because they won’t read it.</p>
<p>If you want someone to look at your site, its content has to be attractive. You can achieve this by:</p>
<ul>
<li>Shortening your paragraphs      (5 lines or less)</li>
<li>Add bulleted lists to      highlight benefits</li>
<li>Use sub headings</li>
<li>Use images</li>
</ul>
<p>But make sure you mix all these elements up to add variety and interest to your page.</p>
<h3><strong>Warm and fuzzy</strong></h3>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>This is probably the hardest one to achieve. How do you give them that warm and fuzzy feeling?</p>
<p><strong>5. Social media</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>I’m assuming you’re using social media within your marketing strategy (if not why not?) so make sure you monitor your Twitter stream and Facebook page so when customers  ask questions about your products you respond to them quickly.</p>
<p>The other site of this is you’ll also be aware of compliments that come through your social media accounts (because <a href="../2550/how-to-use-social-media-effectively/" target="_blank&quot;">you’ll be monitoring them</a>) so make sure you say thank you.</p>
<p>There’s also a possibility that you’ll also get the off negative comment but because you’re monitoring your social media accounts you’ll be able to instantly make contact with the customer and put the situation right.</p>
<p><strong>6. Get personal and obvious</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Many companies get so wrapped up in looking professional they end up projecting a cold and impersonal image.</p>
<p>Customers want to buy from someone they like so by creating a website that shows your personality rather than a stale corporate image will get you noticed.</p>
<p>Being obvious doesn’t mean plastering your website with “buy now” in big red letters. Obvious means making your navigation simple to use so anyone can find their way to the page they want. There’s nothing worse than finding a website that sells the product you want but being unable to fathom out how to buy it.</p>
<p><strong>7. Be chatty</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>When creating the copy on your website please don’t ‘we’ all over it.</p>
<p>Now sure what I mean? Well it’s quite simple. Take a look at your website and count how many times the word ‘we’ appears. In an ideal world there won’t be any.</p>
<p>Your customer couldn’t give two hoots about you; they want to know what you are going to do for them. So review your content and change the focus. If you’re not sure how to do that, find a <a href="http://www.briarcopywriting.com/" target="_blank&quot;">professional copywriter</a> who can do it for you. You’d be amazed at the difference it will make. You will instantly become:</p>
<ul>
<li>Approachable</li>
<li>Customer-orientated</li>
<li>Trustworthy</li>
</ul>
<p>So there you go, 7 simple but effective ways you can change your website’s effectiveness overnight.</p>
<p>Try them out and come back and tell us how you got on. Do you have any other ideas? If so leave a comment below.</p>
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