Whether it’s a new product or service customers aren’t sure they want, or a purchase they are hesitant about because of negative online reviews, explore these top ways to reassure customers and build consumer confidence.

Target Audience or Customers: What’s the Difference?

Customers are random. Your target audience is specific. Quick Sprout recommends gearing your writing around the language and specific subject matter that will reach that particular audience. Your wording will be different whether you are selling to new first-time moms or tech professionals. This approach will help with SEO and it will help build consumer confidence. Consider these two audiences…

New mom audience

With moms, you need lingo and wording geared around babies, bath time, nursing, sleeping through the night, binkies, onesies, and so forth.

Tip: Go to mom blogs like Parenting.com or Babybump.com for wording that can help streamline your writing. Also be sure to watch your wording. New moms don’t want tips on “What to Expect if You’re Expecting.” They’re already new moms, right?

Tech professional audience

With tech professionals, while you might have to nurse them on new tech gadgets, your wording will be completely different. It’s more tech savvy. Check out articles in C-Net or Mashable to help with specific wording to match your client’s audience.

Tip: Be careful with writing articles like “10 Ways to Get Started with Digital Marketing,” if it’s anticipated that your audience is already expert marketers.

Yup. Your jargon needs to be more centered, technical and audience-driven, so make it read like you know this stuff…

Pack Quality Content into the First 15-Seconds

Neil Patel suggests that articles that will convert readers into customers need to be worded differently. On average, about 55% of readers will give only 15-seconds to an article before putting it down. That’s why wording is crucial.

We know firsthand that sometimes keyword phrasing can be killers and so can word counts, but don’t fill articles with fluff that the customer can quickly turn away from. The client reading your description, blog or other type of article will know their stuff, so to build trust, give them quality… especiallyin the first paragraph and the last paragraph. These are essentially where people will do the most reading.

Also think about the reader’s age, gender, education level, profession, and more importantly, the problem they are facing that’s bringing them to your description, blog, or other type of article…and that’s next.

Assess Pain-Points

One way to reach customers is with wording that targets pain-points. Charbeat’s Tony Haile researched that of 2 billion random page views on over 500,000 articles, only about half didn’t bounce or close out the page.

We wrote last week about using negative CTAs that help solve a customer’s problem. A negative CTA can be, “Worried about your subscriptions? Here’s how to get more clicks now!” Likewise, with descriptions, articles and blogs, there may be a pain-point. This can be an area where the customer has a need or problem, but you also have to see it from the standpoint of the client. The client may want to generate more revenue, increase sales, minimize noise in social media platforms, and so forth.

Topics that gear your writing around these pain-points can lead to higher conversions when you give the resolution to a problem. The reader and potential customer wants to be reassured that you understood them and now they’re ready to buy.

Here’s an example:

We know you’re tired of shopping for new tires. That’s why Pep Boys has all-season tires with the deepest treads. 100% guaranteed reliable and you won’t need them rotated or changed for up to 5-years with our full warranty. Take 10% off your online purchase today!

While giving the description, article or blog, always be mindful to not get too wordy or drag on. The goal is to be informative and lead up to a link or CTA that will take them to the next level:

• A free trial
• An e-book excerpt
• Their email on a mailing list
• A new purchase
• Contacting the client to set up an appointment

Give the details. Make it informative. Close with a CTA and/or link. Next up, let’s look at new buyers…

http://www.business2community.com/brandviews/act-on/how-to-entice-your-clients-to-join-the-marketing-automation-party-01299732#YHTJu2DeXcODFS0W.97

Consider the New Buyer Cycle

Okay, here’s a little Marketing 101. If a client has a brand new business, they may ask you to mirror a competitor. If they are an established client like Home Depot or Netflix, for example, they are more than likely scaling themselves so the writing will be different because they’re at the mature stage of the buying cycle. Let’s explore this further.

New potential customers need to be reassured when a site is selling new products or services because the business may not already be established. Wording should be precise with key words that stand out and can reassure, such as:

• 100% Guaranteed
• Non-GMO
• Fully Certified
• Recycled Materials
• Money Back Guaranty
• Best Selling
• Highest Quality
• 5-Star Reviews
• Won’t blow up and won’t catch on fire in your carry-on (Oh, Samsung)

Established businesses, on the other hand, are already considered reputable with a well-built brand. Think Coca-Cola. Home Depot. Macy’s.

But what about when they have a problem, like Samsung phones that catch fire? Or new Samsung washing machines that have blown up recently? How do you reassure potential customers?

Let’s look at wording that reassures customers next…

Understand What the Customer Wants/Needs

While businesses like Samsung will have to put out a lot of fires, (literally and figuratively), for potential customers that are reluctant about a purchase, you can help. Here’s a scenario:

A potential customer with a broken washing machine is looking online to see if it can be repaired and they turn to their local plumber. You happen to have written an article on their site. The potential customer doesn’t want to spend a lot of money in repairs and they see that you’ve included the following:

Have a broken washer? Bob’s Plumbing offers quality repairs, easy financing, same day service and 100% satisfaction or your money back. Schedule an appointment today!

The potential customer is happy and confident with the solution as it reassures them there’s easy financing and they can get their money back. Their next step is they will contact Bob.

When you instill confidence and give relevant buying information, it can help to convert potential customers into buying customers because your content is persuasive. To do this, keep your writing light and skimmable, meaning let the key words clients need to see stand out. This can help with conversions and increase consumer confidence.

What problems do you have with persuasive writing and reassuring customers? Do you find this area challenging? Would love your input to share with the group…

The post Secret Content Tips Only Great Writers Know appeared first on Crowd Content - Blog.

So what is Thug Kitchen and what does it have to do with CTAs?

1. Its a recipe book, and

2. A lot.

Here’s the deal. Whether it’s for a description, a product or a service, the CTA you use is big. In marketing terms, what Thug Kitchen did for food was genius, but Thug Kitchen isn’t owned by two thugs. They don’t even drive a jacked-up food truck with spinning wheels in South Central either, Ese.

Thug Kitchen is a company that designed a cookbook, Eat Like You Give a F—. The company was started by two yuppies from Beverly Hills. But no one knew because they know how to write sh- – well, and so will you with these kick a- – CTAs.

HubSpot believes that call to action (CTA) examples can help with your writing because they can be click-worthy, simple and yet very effective. You’re drawn in by the use of word play whether it’s eloquently presented or raunchy as f—. So let’s begin with the thug style CTAs first and then we’ll touch on the elegant and refined stuff to help you spice yo’ sh- – up. Okay, enough already…

Thug Kitchen Style CTAs

You may never use these unless a client has a specific audience that doesn’t mind the language. These work because they’re so outside of the box. And who curses about lettuce anyway? Check them out:

• Grill the Sh – – outta lettuce with these f- – – ing recipes.
• Do your f—ing part. Share on Facebook.
• Broaden your f- – – ing horizons with wholesome veggie goodness.
• Get.This.Book. MoFo
• Get F – – – ing serious. Buy the DVD.
• Roast the Sh- – out of Eggplant. Learn how here…
• WTF aren’t you ordering these already?
• Clear the room bit—es! This deal’s today only!

Yup, we know. Made you laugh and/or just shake your head. Now onto 27 CTAS you can really use…

27 CTAs You Can Use

Use verb and action CTAs

Wishpond suggests to use wording in the CTA that will stress urgency. These can be directional to help solve a problem. Here are a few examples:

• Stop losing clients and start your free trial now.
• Get more likes and clicks today.
• Build your following today.
• Join the fastest network of entrepreneurs.
• Learn more about product placement.
• Discover new tablet features now.

Make the CTA negative

Similar to the verb/action CTAs, negative CTAS emphasize a problem reinforcing that a solution is only a click away. Check these out:

• Sick of losing customers? Sign up here.
• Troubled with payments? Register now.
• Worried about conversions? Let us help.
• Confused about marketing? Get our free tools.

Use targeted CTAs

A client may let you know how they are going to use the CTA. If they don’t, remember to consider the target audience. Check these out:

• Evernote: Remember Everything.
• Dropbox: Don’t get dropped. Sign up for free.
• OfficeVibe: Get our tips straight to your inbox, and become a better manager.
• Netflix: Watch anywhere. Cancel Anytime. Join Free for a Month.
• Square: Get out of the box and start selling today.
• Prezi: Software for when it matters. NOW.
• Panthera: Get closer to big cats.
• Aquapresso: Send my specials. I love a good deal.
• Quicksprout: Are you doing your SEO wrong? Enter your URL to find out.
• Greygoose: Discover a cocktail tailored to your taste.
• Treehouse: Change your career. Change your life.
• Best Foundation Marketing: Get Better Conversions Now.
• Restaurant Reservations: Book a Table Now.
• Red Man Chewing Tobacco: Oh Spit. Sign me up.

A few tips on CTAs

Remember, targeted wording can help make a sale when people see what they need to.

• Don’t use Download. Instead use Get Your Free E-Book.
• Don’t use Submit. Instead use Get a Free Quote.
• Don’t use Buy Now. Instead use Save 25% Now.

A change in wording can increase conversions for your client. Your client may use their marketer to test out CTA combinations to see how their conversion rates change and hopefully they’ll be pleased because your CTAs are simple, elegant and the MoFo best!

I hope you like this collection of CTAs and got a good laugh. If you have any questions or comments please let me know!

The post 27 Kick A- – CTAs That Make You Buy and Do Sh– appeared first on Crowd Content - Blog.

A client asks you to write a product description and call to action (CTA). But it’s for the wrong market or they have specifics they didn’t tell you about and their conversion rates don’t jump – so of course it’s your fault. Writing descriptions with CTAs shouldn’t be that difficult, right?

Well here’s the thing. CTAs and product descriptions need to be persuasive to make buyers want to have them.

Take a peek at these 5 simple tips that use the art of persuasion to help you increase conversion rates.

1. Focus on the Buyer

You’re writing an article. There’s no time to consider target markets unless the client includes this information, but what you can do is briefly consider who the buyer is and how to pitch to that particular market. Don’t make it too general or they won’t read it. Too narrow and they’ll skip it entirely.

The best way to write effective descriptions with CTAs is to identify with a buyer. One great way to do this is from a you perspective in your description…

You know the cheap windshield wipers that fall apart in middle of a storm? Yup, we hate them, too! That’s why we made these better with a durable frame that won’t bend and can withstand all types of weather conditions and the hardest ice picks. Buy Rain-X 100% Steel Blades Here.

You get the idea…

Imagine the buyer. Picture the ideal client needing that product. Use language that will resonate with the customer. Stick to the word count so it doesn’t get too wordy. Done! Onto the next one…

2. Make it Meaty

When you write a CTA at the end of a product description, a client may ask for lots of details to be included like specs, features, materials, etc., which can put a customer to sleep if they only want to know if it’s a 2-for-1 deal, or what size it comes in.

Because the average consumer isn’t interested in the mundane, consider splitting up your text. Give a good lead or header and close with a strong CTA. In the middle, make that your meat with all the key specs and information. The middle, or meat, is for people who need the specs and want the small print.

Henneke with Kissmetrics suggests:

“Quit talking in vague statements. Stop babbling on about features and specifications. Turn them into enticing benefits. That’s how you seduce your buyer to buy.”

Consider this sample description and CTA from Method Home shared by Justin at Techspect:

Sometimes the scent of seasonal hand wash is all we need to rouse our holiday spirits. Available in an array of festive fragrances, our naturally derived gel hand wash will leave your hands soft, clean and ready to be tucked into a pair of fair isle mittens. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Brighten Your Holidays Now.

The first sentence is the header/lead. It sets the tone. It’s persuasive. It’s suggestive and draws you into the meat of the description. By the time you get to the CTA, you want to unwrap presents! The description and CTA together make you want a cookie as you curl up in bed and await a visit from St. Nick! And that’s the point.

Psychology Today suggests that brick and mortar stores can trick the senses by scenting the air with sweet smells to make customers feel happy and festive. You can use your writing, so sell them on the experience. Next!

3. Avoid Generic Phrases

When you write a CTA after a description, if you aren’t familiar with the product or if you don’t have a visual in mind, you might use words that are too generic. These are fluffer words like “perfect” or “excellent”. How was your dinner? Excellent! How do those shoes fit? Excellent!

The problem with these fluffer words is that potential buyers can get bored because the wording is too generic. Just check out these two CNET reviews:

The Galaxy S7 Edge has an excellent camera, a good battery and it’s expendable. Buy it here…

The new iPhone 7 is faster, lasts longer, shoots better, has a beast of a battery and it can survive a brief bath. Buy it here…

Well, we know the Galaxy S7 also catches fire and is now banned from all planes, trains and automobiles, but aside from the obvious, the details on the iPhone 7 give a better visual for the product. They both have a standard CTA, but the iPhone’s description is more appealing.

When your description and CTA are too generic, a potential customer can lose interest and trust in the company selling the products. To avoid this, give technical details. This can peak the buyer’s curiosity.

Onto our next exceptional example…

4. Have a Rock Solid Header

Superlatives can come across as cold, boasting and bland, but they can also build consumer confidence when worded correctly.

Quicksprout describes it like this:

“It follows that unless your headline sells your product, you have wasted 90 percent of your money…”

When you create a header in your description, if it’s a product that’s the best in the market, say it. If it’s not, don’t say it. People will know and if they think you’re lying, they’ll take their business elsewhere.

Consider this example:

Airborne Vitamin-C kills germs and bacteria that cause flues and it cures colds. Buy it now and get free shipping…

Well, Airborne didn’t kill the bacteria and germs and they had to pay out $23.3 million dollars in a class action lawsuit because of false/misleading advertising. The shipping may have been free, but alas, the description wasn’t true.

Here’s an example of one that does work:

Amazon’s most advanced e-reader has a patented built-in light with 62% more pixels for brilliant resolution. Order yours here and get it by Tuesday…

See the difference? Amazon uses key words like “patented” that build trust. They also use the percentage that increases customer confidence. Because there’s proof that this is an exceptional product, the wording in the description helps to build confidence and sell the brand. The CTA is also stronger because people will know they can get expedited shipping

Remember: If consumers feel like they were misled, this can lead to negative reviews and negative feedback. Make product descriptions and CTAs accurate, honest and informative.

Ready to tease the senses? Check out #5…

5. Seduce the Senses

Sensory words sell. They can increase sales because there’s a sexy way that a really good description can sell. Aside from that, word play can engage brain power. When you have specific audiences, it may help to research the adjectives they need. Here’s an example – try to guess what these words describe:

Velvety. Smooth. Bright. Crisp.

These words can be used for an ad for a new bar of chocolate by Green and Black, or it can be used to describe Benny Rappas wine menu. The sensory adjectives are powerful words referring to taste, touch, and sound. They make the reader want to try them.

To wrap up, use vivid and seductive descriptions and CTAs that help your client’s customers want to try the products you’re writing about. The more descriptive you are, the more your passion will come through the products and customers will click on the CTA because you’ve aroused their senses. Have you had any issues with descriptions and CTAs like this? Did more research help? Or did you just picture what the client might want? Let us know what has worked for you…

The post 5 Simple Ways to Write Seductive CTAs and Product Descriptions that Sell appeared first on Crowd Content - Blog.

As a writer, you have the ability to help people decide where to click on a page by using the right CTA. This can help with goal conversion when the potential customer takes the action you suggest.

Use these Call-To-Action suggestions to help draw more traffic to a site’s page whether the site developer or marketer will use a CTA button or your link will take the customer directly to a landing page. Consider the following CTA best practice tips:

1. Use Power and Action CTAs

Goal: Let the audience know they need to immediately act to secure the deal.

Words like “Enter” and “Submit” can be a bit weak with customer conversions. Go for power and action CTAs like:

• Reserve now
• Get your copy today
• Try a free trial now
• Take This Course

Don’t be afraid to suggest strong key words. Replace words like “Go” with “Book Your Event Now”.

2. Use Cheeky CTAs

Goal: Let the audience know it’s a fun site that will draw a laugh or two and they’ll want to read more.

At Quick Sprout, they have a great CTA when you sign up for their newsletter. It reads,

“Sign up now. We promise, no SPAM. We don’t like canned meat either.”

These are fun ways – when appropriate, to get a laugh that builds trust with potential customers. It makes them want to read more so they can laugh again. Consider the type of customer who may enjoy dark humor and this can lead to increased clicks.

3. KISS: Keep it Simply Stated

Goal: Let the audience know you value their time and you can get to the point.

Another great segue with a CTA is to keep the Call-To-Action short and to the point. Using too many words means the reader has to, well, read more. Users can express distaste if content is too wordy so your CTA can be action-oriented and between three to five words.

Example of a bad CTA:

Give QuickBooks a Try: It’s Free for 60-Days

A better CTA might be:

Start My FREE 60-Day Trial

Another way to approach this is to keep it simple, but state it in a way that will help customers who may be reluctant if they think there’s a catch. Check out these CTAs:

30-Day FREE Trial. No Credit Card.

This CTA shows the trial, with no catch and the word FREE gives the value proposition. It also encourages users that when they click on the link, it will take them directly to the free trial which will start immediately and they don’t have to get their wallets!

4. Use a 1st Person CTA

Goal: Let your audience know you identify with them and you’re seeing things from their perspective.

To help customers identify with products and services, follow Michael Aagard’s advice. At Content Verve, he suggests that a CTA in the 1st person changes results by as much as 90%. Putting yourself in the customer’s shoes can change click-through rates or CTRs, build trust, and increase conversions.

Try CTAs like:

Start My Trial Now

Get My FREE Gift Now

Yes. Sign Me Up!

5. Show a Sense of Urgency

Goal: Let the audience know the offer shown is time sensitive and they should act now.

Jeff Bullas suggests that looking at sites like Amazon can help with sense of urgency CTAs. When you create a sense of urgency, it can raise CTRs because customers want to get the deal they believe has value. Consider the following effective CTAs:

• Sign Up Now and Get 60% Off. Today Only!
• Download the Full Book for $40 $15!
• Register for The Business Mastery Class Now!

While these go over the standard CTA word count, the examples give a subtle sense of urgency and add value to what the customer believes they will receive when they take the suggested action.

As you can see from the various CTAs, whether they are being used for a CTA button or you are using them for a link that will take them to a particular landing page, you can change the CTA wording. A sense of urgency. A cheeky comment. A time sensitive deal. These are all great ways to draw customers in and increase click-through rates.

What are some of the CTAs that you’ve used in the past? Let us know which ones have worked best for you! We’d love to share them with the community!

The post 5 Best Practices for Killer CTAs: Hooks, Lines and Keepers appeared first on Crowd Content - Blog.

It’s like that hot new emoji everyone is using, or that funny meme that becomes instantly sharable, likeable, clickable, and tweetable. But how do you make your content perfect every time especially with the internet changing so much if you’re not a content strategist?

One key way is through the top content blogs and marketing advice sites from the pros. Because you want your landing pages to be filled with happy customers, check out these informative sites that you should be following. They are loaded with tools and tips to help you get the right approach and reach your specific target market – every time.

1. Moz Blog

Most in marketing know about Moz Blog and Rand Fishkin. Content marketers contribute fresh approaches to SEO tools and top marketing pointers to take your business to the next level. You’ll find everything from keyword marketing strategies to conversions through audience analysis.

2. Content Marketing Institute

Founded by Joe Pulizzi, Content Marketing Institute, or CMI, has everything content marketing: research, resources, SEO, strategy, social media, and ways to measure return on investment. Make this your go-to source for information, updates, training and consulting.

3. Quick Sprout

If you don’t know the name Quick Sprout, then you’re sure to know Neil Patel. His blog is famous for its conversion methods to drive traffic to your business and increase your ROI. What makes his blogs stand out from the rest are his best practices and insightful tips and tools. He’s worked with Amazon, GM, HP, Viacom and NBC. He also co-founded Crazy Egg and is one of the top influencers according to the Wall Street Journal.

4. ClickZ

Considered one of the best resources for content marketing, ClickZ has up-to-date news, strategies, commentary, marketing automation and other crucial information marketing professionals need. Look for great articles about ways to offer online freemiums, tips for mapping a customer’s journey to increase engagement across various platforms, and CRM integration mistakes in marketing automation.

5. The Content Strategist

No time to keep up with marketing trends? Check out The Content Strategist. With its unique approach to content marketing developments, brand publishing and storytelling, the advice is not only engaging, but will help to keep your writing informative and focused. Look for blogs like: How Guardian Life Uses Content to Reach Millennials, Study: Not All Millennials Use Social Media the Same Way or the Gore-Tex Brand’s Gorgeous Adventure Mag.

With great blogs to subscribe to, you’ll have all the content marketing tools and resources you need. Let us know which are your new favorites!

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