Today’s business landscape is so competitive. Entrepreneurs need to not only set themselves apart, they need to explain why they are better than the competition, how they are different from the competition and why you should choose them. One way to do that is to write great copy. How to write great copy is something we talk with our clients about because we understand the power of search engine optimization and how great copy helps you rank.
If you’re having a hard time writing great copy, we have tips.
How To Write Great Copy
Great copy, and writing it is an art form. You can either write your own copy or hire an expert to write it for you — we can help you find one, or we can craft your copy.
If you want to write your own copy, here are our best tips.
To whom are you writing? Knowing who your reader is and what they want to know will help you craft the context of the article. What do you want to tell readers and what action do you want them to take once they’ve read it?
Stick to one topic per post.
A great, and searchable title. When you determine the title first, it will help you stick to one topic (see bullet point above). When you’re writing your title, write it in a way that is intuitive for your readers to find. “How to write great copy” is a searchable title, “How to write an article about what people want to know about writing copy” is horrible. Too long, not searchable, not intuitive.
Your first sentence should be compelling. When you read a book, it’s the first sentence that draws you in. Craft a compelling first sentence.
Short paragraphs are key.
Use bullet points, bold text, numbered list. Readers have short attention spans and consume content in chunks. Give them the highlights and make it easy to read.
Use a graphic. Break up text with graphics and make the graphic relevant to the content.
Use key words and key phrases to help your written content get read. Using SEO in a manner in which you’re conveying great content in a searchable way is an art form!
Is your content getting read? Are you writing great content? If you’re not sure, email us or drop us a comment and let’s talk.
Many entrepreneurs are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. If you have weathered the coronavirus pandemic you are on the road back to success — we hope. Business owners surviving COVID-19 deserve a gold star because it has been difficult. We know so many businesses will fail and that economic recovery will take months, perhaps years.
If you’re still plugging along, we applaud you. If you were one of the new entrepreneurs who came out of the pandemic, then come along for the ride!
Business Owners Surviving COVID-19 Deserve A Gold Star
What is the hallmark of a surviving business owner who should get the star? They survived! They are thriving. They have pivoted in their businesses and are still here — months later. Here are some other qualitties that deserve recognition.
Creators. Business owners are the ultimate creator — that doesn’t necessarily mean they are artists or designers — although it could! A creator means that a person looked at a problem and created a solution!
You love being your own boss. You have mastered productivity, time management and a work life balance. Congratulations!
You uncovered your hidden talents and turned them into a business opportunity.
You’re much better at being your own boss than you were at being an employee — we know many entrepreneurs who “failed” at being an employee but are incredible at being a boss!
You took the leap of faith. Jumping into business ownership takes faith in yourself and courage. You’ve shown both!
Don’t you deserve those gold stars? Take time today — right now and think about all that you’ve done that sets you apart. What makes you the entrepreneur that you’ve become? Shout out your successes on social media!
Entrepreneurs need to be productive and effective with how they spend their time. Finding how to be more productive when creating business content is one way a business owner can cut time and potentially save money. If you don’t want to, or aren’t ready yet, to outsource content creation we have come up with ways in which you can be more effective and efficient when creating content.
How To Be More Productive When Creating Business Content
Write in batches. If you find you have an hour or two (we know, that might be funny) then create batches of content then. Don’t think you’re going to write one blog post a week and that you only do that one post. If you can find time to do more writing – batch writing – do that.
Keep an idea notebook. Ideas will come to you when you’re least expecting them. Have a way to keep track of them. Write them down. Record them and send them as a message to yourself.
Do you blog about holidays or do you have a product or service that lends itself to a holiday? If so, create your promotion calendar and add all your potential blog post topics there – an editorial calendar will be your best friend.
Don’t get bogged down from writing by having to research. Set up a separate time for writing and a separate time for research. When you’re in the middle of a blog post and have to stop to research, chances are you will not get back to the post.
Create a process that you can use again and again. Make a template for your blog posts then use a “fill in the blank” style when you are struck with a brilliant idea.
Repurpose old content. Look at your old content and see if it can be repurposed and rewritten with updates.
Schedule a specific time for blogging – don’t just hope it will happen.
If you need help with outsourcing your blogging and content creation, reach out to use, we can help. If you need insight and deeper advice on your blogging and content creation, let’s jump on a call.
No matter if you’re a long-time entrepreneur or a first time business owner or even a new work-from-home employee the coronavirus quarantine has shown us that we crave the company of humans. We also have come to understand more of why biz owners need to practice self care.
If you’re just getting out of bed, shuffling to the kitchen, then to the office and not getting fresh air or moving your body, you will get unhealthy and your business will suffer. You also don’t want to be an unhealthy employee and you want to be ready to go back to work when the opportunity arises, we have put together a list of self care items we enjoy.
Why Biz Owners Need To Practice Self Care
List what you’re grateful for. At the end of each day write down three items for which you’re grateful. When you wake up in the morning, read those. Start your day with a postive attitude.
Make a list of activities you enjoy. Do those activities. Take a walk, Crochet a blanket. Chop down a tree. Walk the dog.
Separate work from home. Try not to have your bedroom become your office. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. At the end of your work day, turn the computer off, close it and walk away.
Write a to do list then check stuff off once it’s finished. Those checkmarks or crossed out items are a productivity and mood booster.
Don’t listen to the news all day. Yes, you want to get an update on the coronavirus and its impact on your area, but you don’t need to listen to it all day.
Read a book. When is the last time you’ve read for enjoyment?
Check in with friends and family daily. We need that connection with loved ones.
Take a walk.
Go to bed at a “normal time.” It’s easy to think, “I don’t have to get up, I’ll watch television until 3 am. Then you sleep until noon and you have no routine. Set a bedrime and daytime routine.
Eat healthy meals. Go to the grocery store and stock up on healthy treats and foods to make breakfast, dinner and lunch at home.
Reward yourself for a job well done.
Entrepreneurs need to take care of themselves — mind, body and soul. Don’t let a quarantine set you up for unhealthy habits. Reach out if you need accountability and insight into the work from home lifestyle.
Is this the time for you to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor you’ve always dreamed of? If you’ve been furloughed because of the coronavirus you may be eventually telling the tale of how coronavirus may help launch new businesses and you could be among one of those who flourished during the pandemic.
How many times have you wondered about being your own boss? How often have you wished you could work from home and pursue your passion? Why not do that right now while you’re forced to stay home and may not be working. Don’t squander this time.
How Coronavirus May Help Launch New Businesses
We know there are many people who will be launching blogs as a way to share what their new business is all about. We have tips on how your blog can enhance your business growth efforts.
Find a niche. You can’t be everything to everyone. Narrow your niche and focus all your efforts there. Know whom you want to serve, why and how your product or service will address a pain point they are experiencing.
Talk with us or another service provider and find out the best platform for you website and blog. There are many to choose from just as there are many domain name sellers from which to choose.
Speaking of domain names… grab yours.
If you want to make money through your blog, how will you do that? Check out sponsorship opportunities and look for ways to monetize the site itself to enhance the income from your product or service.
Set up your social media platforms. Once you have written a blog post, share it there.
Don’t forget to consider your branding. What colors to you like? How do you want your brand to appear — fun, professional, a combination? When someone sees your colors or logo will they know what you do or will they be left scratching their heads wondering if you’re a fit for them.
A blog is a great way to market essentially for free, your new business idea. Make the most of this time as it may never (hopefully) happen again. Don’t go back to work wondering what might have been.
Now that you’re a remote employee, a work from home individual, how much do you enjoy it? Some people truly do not function well on their own; they enjoy the company of their co-workers and the almost constant hum of conversation and computers in the office. How to be an effective remote worker may not be something you’d thought of, but there are tips and tricks to make the workday productive and to help separate home from work.
When you don’t have a commute from the office to the home and a chance to decompress and get your head around the idea that the workday is done and now your home awaits.
How To Be An Effective Remote Worker
We have always had a remote workforce and our team understands the importance of communication, productivity and effective workflows. If you’re new to working from home, it’s easy to procrastinate, watch television and walk the dog — a LOT. During the COVID-19 quarantine chances are you’re not having coffee dates or lunches out with friends, but that doesn’t mean you’re working effectively.
Here are our tips.
Get dressed. It is easy and there are a lot of memes about having your “sleeping pajamas” and your “working pajamas.” You don’t have to dress as fully in office wear if you don’t want, but brush your hair and your teeth, put on pants and a shirt or blouse. Take your work as seriously from home as you would at the office.
Be aware of your background if you’re on a video call. Do you want your team to see your bedroom or your messy office? Check your view and make sure it’s a good one. If you simply have no choice over the view, upload a photo background.
Separate work from home. When you’re at work — even if it’s in the corner of your bedroom, that is work time. When you take a lunch break, get out of the bedroom office and step away from the computer. Eat lunch in a different room. Once work is over put a routine in place that will help you “shut the door” on work and get back into your home life.
Working from home may have seemed like a dream come true, but many people are missing the routine of getting out and going to work. Is that you? Are you struggling with accountability, productivity and efficiency? If so, drop us a message and let’s talk.
