Here is a look at one of the first 11 tips for building content that sells. It comes from Craig McNall, VP of marketing for Univergence Brands, who has been promoting digital products and eBooks for more than 10 years. His tips for writing online are aimed at writers and aspiring authors. Here are his top three:
First, make sure your content is current and relevant to the audience your site is serving. Think about what your audience is looking for as they search for particular items on the internet. This includes information they are likely to find using search engines like Google or Yahoo. Make sure you are offering them exactly what they are looking for, but in a way that’s appealing to the search engines. For example, instead of selling golf equipment, offer information on how to care for and maintain a well maintained golf set.
Second, be honest. People can tell when a writer isn’t telling the whole truth, or doesn’t have all the relevant facts. Sometimes it pays to withhold some information to save yourself trouble later on. If you have links to other sites you host, place these links within your own website content. You want people to click on these, rather than click on a link that only gives a vague description of your product or service. If they don’t find what they’re looking for there, they’ll go back to your competition.
Third, keep it simple. There is no need to construct an entire website or write an eBook. Some people think this looks nicer, but they can really clutter up a blog with unnecessary text and graphics. Remember, people are bombarded with information all the time. Don’t make yours seem like a homework assignment. Keep the content relevant and concise.
Fourth, remember to link to your own products and services. Some people believe you must include a referral link to your own site. While this can be effective in terms of generating sales, don’t do this too much. Instead, provide useful tips that help readers get the most out of their own experience as well.
Fifth, use charts and graphs to complement your content. When people are surfing, they often look for visual cues as well as solid text. A graph or image can help pull them into the main story, as well as keep them interested in reading your content. This tactic is especially helpful for selling products that are difficult to describe in words. Just be sure not to oversell or else people won’t take your advice seriously.
Sixth, consider hiring a ghostwriter. A professional can be a powerful asset when creating content that sells. Writing is a skill that many people don’t know how to do, so hiring someone who has previous experience can make them feel confident about your product and give them something to write about. Ghostwriting is a great way to make sure you’re writing content that inspires and attracts readers.
Finally, create an easily accessible landing page on your website. This is the page visitors will first see upon arriving at your site. The landing page needs to be clear and well-designed, with informational articles and links leading to an actual sales page. This page needs to be designed to persuade the visitor to follow through and to purchase your product. If you follow these simple tips, you can ensure that your content not only sells, but is also the best-selling content online.
It’s not easy to write quality content. As with any other endeavor, your content needs to be relevant, up-to-date, useful, and informative. When writing your content, focus on your target audience and try to include as many keywords as you can in your articles. Also, use short paragraphs, bullet points, and bulleted lists where possible.
Building content that sells requires you to constantly keep an updated eye on what’s happening in your industry. You can make a lot of money if you know which products are selling well. One of the best tips for selling content is to stay up to date on the hottest topics. You can do this by attending conferences and online discussions where Internet marketing and business topics are discussed. Look for conversations about topics that relate to your website and then write about them.
Your content isn’t going to sell itself. You’re going to need to learn how to promote your website effectively. One of the best tips for building content that selling is to make sure you’re active in promoting your site. You can do this by using a variety of tools including social networking sites, blog directories, and email marketing lists.
