You Will Add Power to Your Content: with these 5 quick Q's!
Not feeling confident before you hit "Submit"? These 5 quick questions will clean up your copy almost instantly!
Ask Yourself:
1.) Is my writing Repetitive or Relevant? Repetition can kill your audience, and not just your own repetition, but your industry repetition too. Your goal instead, is to be relevant. Teach something new, reveal a fresh angle, show some personality.
2.) Would I Respond to this? Clear your mind, or step away for a minute, then read your writing and ask yourself how you would reply to it.
• Would it go straight to the trash folder? or get marked with a star?
• Would you subscribe to a newsletter or follow the company?
• Would you spend the average 37 seconds reading it? More? Less?
3.) Is the length and format beneficial for my purpose? An easy example: A long form article sent to your list of busy executive clients in the middle of a weekday is NOT going to be read, you’d be lucky if they didn’t have time to click the “unsubscribe” button. Short form and bullets are the best bet, if you aren't sure. Your audience does not read more than they have to, so make your points without wasting their time (or your own).
4.) Does this Content Reflect My Purpose? So often a creative mind will go to town writing an “awesome” advertisement, or “engaging” web page, only to let the entire purpose get lost in translation. If your purpose was to introduce a brand new product, DID YOU DO THAT? Or did you accidentally talk more about how it compares to another product?
5.) Was my CTA Clear & Concise? Your Call to action is the bottom line, you want to be sure it’s not wavering or weak in your writing.
BONUS TIP: Your CTA should direct someone to their next step, but it doesn't need to say "Next Step", a creative CTA that matches your tone can significantly increase conversion rates. Here are a few fun examples you could use on your CTA button instead:
- Take Control Now
- Let's Do It
- I'm Ready to Win
- Reveal Your Matches
- Unlock Your Potential
P.S. If you’re doing all of your own copywriting, I suggest keeping these SUPER SIMPLE Questions posted for easy access before you hit submit. These questions benefit many forms of content and will strengthen your work substantially!