Need a crash course on Web site writing? “The Go To Copywriter of Hampton Roads” Jill S. P. Watkins, is teaching a three hour workshop: “Web Site Writing for Small Business” at the Adult Learning Center in Virginia Beach, VA. The cost is $32.00.
Your choice of two dates: 9/19/2009 or 11/21/2009. To enroll or to learn more, go the ALC Web site at www.adultlearning.vbschools.com or call 757-648-6050.
Your competition is in the paper again. They were cited for their expertise in their field. Why does this keep happening? Why can’t your company be interviewed for these articles? In a few words, the answer is good press releases. The competition is being used in the media because they are making themselves available to the media. Not just as a story, but as a resource as well. Your company can do it too- all it takes is some careful planning and excellent writing.
It all starts with a story. Not just any story, a story that is relevant, useful, or newsworthy. If you have no story, you have no reason to write a press release period. Think about what your company does; the services it provides. Why is your company useful in the scheme of things? Are you a plumbing service that specializes in fast service? How about a restaurant that prides itself on serving the best steak in town? Regardless of what your business does, you need to focus on what it does for people, for the community, or for your town. A story is really not about your business- it’s about what you do for others that is important. It’s not a big story that a plumbing service offers fast service. But it is a story that the plumbing company is the first to get a special machine that saves customers time and money. It is not a story that a local restaurant serves tasty steaks, but it is relevant to people if it is the only restaurant that uses local beef in its dishes, thereby supporting the local community of beef cattle ranchers and serving the freshest beef possible.
If you are stumped for a story, that’s okay. Just hire a professional copywriter that has experience writing press releases. If you are uncomfortable talking to the media about your story, hire a public relations expert or firm. It pays to write and distribute press releases correctly to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Think about what your firm does for others, write a good press release, then make yourself or your company available to the media whenever they need your line of expertise. Then, perhaps next time you pick up the paper, your firm will be right there in black and white.
Copyrighted article by Jill S. P. Watkins with Write On Target Communications, LLC. The firm specializes in marketing consulting and copywriting. To find out more about Write On Target Communications, visit the Web site at: http://write-ontarget.com
Ever read a Web site page that was boring? You know– telling you everything except what you came there for? We all have. Who cares if the company has a vision of grandeur or a fabulous mission statement? If you are like most people you want to get to the bottom line and fast. What can this firm do for me? Why is this company different? Who can I contact for more information? These are a few of the many questions that typical Web site readers want answered.
Web site writing is different than the old marketing standbys of direct mail or brochure writing. As a business owner, you must take your firm’s services, products, and ideals and put these concepts into the proper Web site content format. If you don’t, then your Web site will not perform to its highest potential. You will lose business by not adapting to today’s online clientele, and those future clients will go elsewhere. Don’t let this happen to you.
Here are a few tips to get your Web site copy to work for you and for your potential clients.
Keep your Web site copy short and to the point. People are short on time today. You have a few seconds to capture there attention, keep it, and convey what needs to be said. Make it worth their time.
Use keywords so your site can be found. This is vital. Keywords are important words used to describe what your firm does. These are the same words that people use to find you on the Web when they go to a search engine like Google.
Keep your Web site simple. Say what needs to be said on each page and no more. If someone reading your home page wants to know more– say for example they want to learn more about company history, offer a page just for that information such as an “About Us” page. Don’t cram too much text about varying subjects on each page. Instead break up the information and present it on different pages. It will make your site much more user friendly.
Words are king online- treat them that way. Ever see a beautiful Web site that you have never heard of? Stunning graphics, beautiful colors, nice pictures. But no one knows it’s out there. Why? Because many firms make the mistake that design is more important than content. It’s not. Words lead search engines to your Web site. Words keep people on your site, and words get your messages across. Give words the same attention you give to design and they will help deliver clients to your site time and time again.
If you follow the tips outlined above, your Web site will be more user-friendly and helpful to your clients. Words that work for you and your clients– now that’s good for the bottom line.
Copyrighted article by Jill Watkins with Write On Target Communications, LLC. The firm specializes in marketing consulting and copywriting. To find out more about Write On Target Communications, visit the Web site at: www.write-ontarget.com
