Decide What To Sell
So, the first thing on your to-do list should be deciding what you want to sell.
Once you’ve got that figured out, the next step is think about the type of post that will help you achieve your sales goals.
This part is crucial and deserves some serious contemplation because it plays a significant role in determining your success.
When it comes to creating content, aim for something that’s helpful but not entirely exhaustive.
Think of a blog post that addresses some of your prospects’ issues and then nudges them towards a paid solution that resolves the rest of their problem.
Let me give you five examples of how to choose a post format that promotes a specific offer:
1. If you’re marketing a software service like an autoresponder, consider crafting a step-by-step guide on setting up a mailing list and subtly recommend your autoresponder within the guide.
2. Selling an app for meal-planning? Write a blog post with 10 nutrition tips for weight loss, with the final tip focusing on the benefits of using meal-planning software.
3. Promoting a social media marketing course? Publish an article on increasing Facebook followers and segway into how your course can help monetize and leverage that traffic.
4. Got a physical product like golf clubs? Share an article on how to choose the right clubs, slipping in your recommendation seamlessly.
5. Offering a comprehensive course on writing sales letters? Create a “cheat sheet” outlining each step but leave out the detailed instructions needed to craft a compelling letter.
Do you see how it all ties together?
Whether you’re sharing tips, outlining a process, or providing step-by-step instructions, the format of your article should seamlessly lead to your product offer, fitting naturally within the content.
Know Your Audience
Before you even start putting pen to paper, it’s essential understand who your audience is and what they’re looking for.
This not only helps choose the right offer that they’ll be eager to snatch up but also allows you to really get into their minds.
The more you grasp about your audience, the better equipped you are to craft content that resonates with them on a deeper, emotional level.
So, how do you go about getting to know your audience? Here three handy tips to get you started:
1. Listen in on their conversations. Dive into niche forums, social media groups, and blog. This simple act can provide valuable insights into your audience’s thoughts on specific topics and products within your niche.
2. Engage with them on social media. Take it a step further by directly interacting with your audience. Ask them questions, uncover their pain points, and understand the solutions they’re seeking.
3. Hang out with them in person. For instance, if you’re targeting bodybuilders with your products, head over to the nearest bodybuilding gym and spend some time mingling with your potential customers. This hands-on approach can offer invaluable insights into your target market.
Outline & Research
By this point, I’ve got a pretty good grasp on topic and format of my article – essentially, something that naturally leads to promoting the paid product.
So, for this next step, I need to outline and do some research.
Even if I already have the tips or procedures I want to share in mind, it’s still a good idea to do some digging. Research can help in various ways:
– Finding a great quote or inspirational story to kick off the article. It’s a fantastic way to connect with readers emotionally.
– Gathering statistics and data to support the points made in the article. For instance, sharing a shocking statistic about the average income of online marketers can set the stage for an article on how readers can avoid falling into the same financial trap.
– Getting ideas on how to structure the content. For instance, if I notice that a lot of articles in my niche are listicles, I might want to jump on that trend since it’s a popular format.
Once the research is done, it’s time to outline and arrange the topics and subtopics in the desired order for the article. Then, onto the next step…
Compelling Titles
Many bloggers tend to throw together a title without much thought and pour all their energy into crafting the article itself.
But here’s the thing – your audience will primarily focus on your title. If it doesn’t immediately capture their attention and pique their interest, they might not even bother clicking on your post.
That’s why it’s crucial to invest time in creating a compelling title that will captivate readers and draw them into your content.
Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Highlight Benefits: Make sure your title answers the question “what’s in it for me that your audience is wondering about.
For instance: “Discover the Top Strategy to Double Your Conversion Rate”
2. Spark Curiosity: Sometimes, all it takes is using a term like “secrets” in your title to make your audience curious about what exclusive information you have to offer.
For example: “Unveiling the 7 Best-Kept Secrets for a Youthful Appearance”
3. Leverage Social Proof: Show your audience that everyone else is already on board, so they should be too.
For instance: “Learn the Strategies Top Copywriters Use to Craft Million-Dollar Sales Letters”
4. Pose a Question: Engage your audience by asking a question that prompts them to think, qualify themselves, or simply arouses their curiosity.
For example: “Are You Guilty of These Costly Mistakes When Buying a Home?”
Crafting a killer title is key to drawing in readers and making them eager to dive into your content. So, don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted headline!
Strong Openers
Your title definitely caught your eye, but now comes the hard part – keeping your reader interested right from the start.
So, here are five clever ways to do just that:
1. Start off by telling a compelling story. Picture this – someone just like your reader facing the exact same issue and overcoming it. It’s relatable, it’s engaging, and it draws them in.
2. Hit them with a mind blowing fact or statistic. Something that makes them do a double-take. Like, did you know how many people succumb to heart disease each year? It’s staggering and impossible to ignore.
3. Shake things up by saying something controversial or downright unbelievable. Challenge the status quo in your niche and watch as readers sit up and take notice. Maybe even throw in a question that makes them question everything they know.
4. Debunk a common myth. If there’s a misconception holding people back in your field, start by debunking it. Like, sorry to break it to you, but crunches won’t magically give you killer abs. It’s all about what you eat, not just hitting the gym.
5. Lastly, try asking a thought-provoking question. Get your audience thinking and responding right off the bat. Something like, “Ever been mortified by your dog’s antics around guests?” It’s engaging and prompts them to reflect on their own experiences.
Plant Seeds
Now that your audience is captivated and engrossed in what you’re sharing, it’s time to subtly introduce a problem. This is where you lay the groundwork for the call action that’s looming the horizon.
For instance, in an instructional post, you could hint at a simpler way to tackle a challenging step. If you’re dishing out tips, consider throwing in a fresh perspective or a unique approach to an old technique. This will pique your reader’s curiosity and make them for more innovative insights.
Connect with your audience on an emotional level by addressing their concerns. Provide a glimpse of the solution, tantalizing them with the promise of discovering the complete answer in just a few moments.
Proof & Credibility
To get people to trust what you’re saying, you have to give a reason. People are more likely to listen to someone they see as an authority on a topic.
Once you establish yourself as an authority, convincing them to click on your links becomes much easier.
There are three key ways bolster your case and solidify your credibility and expertise:
1. Show confidence in your delivery. When sharing information, do so with assurance. Instead of using weak language like “You can probably…”, opt for stronger phrases such as “Do this…”
2. Share your credentials For instance, you could mention winning a fiction award for the best thriller novel last year…
3. Provide evidence. It could be in the form of photos or other visuals that back up your claims. Alternatively, sharing a case study of someone else’s success using the methods you’re discussing in the article can be very persuasive.
Introduce Solutions
So, you’ve just shared some helpful information with your audience, like tips or a step-by-step guide.
Now, it’s time to dive into the complete solution and highlight the advantages it brings.
For instance, let’s say you’re promoting a cookbook full of delicious low-fat recipes.
You could start by addressing the common struggle with bland diet food: “I don’t know about you, buting always felt like a tasteless chore.
Who wants to suffer through bland rice cakes and plain chicken every day? Well, guess what – you don’t have to anymore.
With cookbook, you can shed those extra pounds while still savoring your favorite dishes – yes, even chocolate cake!
Introducing…” [insert the cookbook title and emphasize its perks like easy recipes, budget-friendly ingredients, and guaranteed delicious taste].
Call To Action
So, if you’ve made it this far, kudos to you for sticking around till the end. And guess what? It seems like you’re pretty intrigued by the solution I’ve been discussing.
Now comes the exciting part – it’s to throw in a to action and a link in front of you. This is where I get to tell you what your next move should be and why’s worth your while.
For instance, how about clicking on this link to snag your very own copy of this cookbook? Trust me, you’ll want to act fast so you can whip up a mouthwatering dish for dinner tonight!
Proof and Polish
So, you’re eager to make a great impression, right? Well, one trick is to put your post on the back burner for a few days. This, when you come back to it, you’ll have a fresh.
Now, here are some tips to spruce up your content:
First off try reading it out loud. Trust me, this really helps you spot any rough patches or parts that just don’t flow smoothly.
Next, get a second pair of eyes on it. Having someone else proofread can catch those pesky errors that you might because you’re too close the project.
And don’t forget to make your content more interesting. Sometimes, all it takes is swapping out some words.
Instead of just calling something “fast,” why not jazz it up by saying it’s “lightning quick”?
That way, you paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and really draw them into your content.
C.T.A. Swipes
You deserve [good thing]. So take out your credit card, click the buy button below, and say “Yes!” to [getting a good result]…
You won’t find a better way to [get some good result], so fill out the form below now and I’ll rush you your free report!
If you do nothing, then tomorrow you’ll wake up [describe how things will still be the same]. Or you can order now and [describe a better result]. If you’re smart, you’ll click the order button below now…
Your next step is easy: click here to order this exciting [type of product] today. Your [describe] depends on it!
Take the next step to [some good result] now by clicking here…
There’s no better time than right now to [start getting some results], and you won’t find a better way to do it. So click here to get started…
Now you too can [get some great benefit]. Click here to get started—you’ll be glad you did!
You need to move fast if you want in on this incredible deal. Click here to get started!
Are you ready to get started? Then click here to get a free quote—you’ll be glad you did!
In just a few months from now you’ll look back on this day as the turning point when things finally started to get better. Take that first step now by clicking the buy button below to get started.
Post Title Swipes
X Ways to [Desired Result] in X Days Or Less
Don’t Even Think of Trying [Idea or Product] Until You Read This…
My X Step System for [Getting Desired Result]
Here’s What Smart [Niche/Group/People] Do When They Want to [Get Benefit]
Do You Want [Benefit]? Here’s a Shortcut…
How to Get Rid of [Bad Thing], For Good
How to Quickly and Easily Improve Your [Niche Skill]
Save Time and Money With These [Niche Topic] Tips
Are You Making These [Niche] Mistakes?
The “Can’t Lose” Way to [Get Good Thing]
X [Resources/Products/Books/Tools] Every [Niche Person] Ought to Use
How to [Get Result], Even If [You Don’t Have a Prerequisite Skill or Knowledge]
Swipe My [Topic] Blueprint
X Ways to [Get Benefit], Fast
Here’s a Weird Way to [Get Result]
