Copywriting Information

Help, Help, Help, Sell


Here's a fundamental difference between copywriting offline and copywriting for the web...

- Give or take, my job as a copywriter offline was to sell, sell, sell, sell.

- Online, I think, my job is best described as help, help, help, sell.

How come?

Because web sites are a pain for buyers and searchers. Much harder to 'use' than a physical store or library, a brochure or a catalog. The biggest problem being -- no two sites work exactly the same. There are always differences in appearance, architecture, navigation.

The result: Every first-time visitor to your site has to pause, look around and figure out how your site actually 'works'. Where is stuff? How do I get there? Can I figure out how you have organized everything?

We don't have problems like that with a catalog. Every catalog starts with the front cover, then you turn the page to see what comes next, and so on. Web sites aren't like that. They 'unfold' in different ways.

And that's where the 'help' comes in.

Before you can think about selling, you first need to help each visitor find what they are looking for, whether that be a product, a service or simply information.

Every headline, subhead, block of short text and link text needs to be helping the visitor. You need to guide them, inform them, direct them. And, of course, at the same time, pre-sell them. Make them feel confident as they click their way through the pages. Make them feel good as you direct and help them forward.

Help them with clear headings, descriptions and links. Keep them feeling confident that they are just a click or two away from finding what they really want.

Once you have done that, once you have been truly helpful...you will have achieved a number of things.

First, you will have taken them to where they want to be with the minimum of fuss, confusion and wasted clicks. And that means higher conversion rates.

Second, you will have taken them to that final page in a very positive state of mind. They will be feeling good about your site. Feeling positive about the experience. Feeling delighted that they have found what they wanted so quickly and easily.

And then, and only then....Sell.

Yes, at the end of the day, it's all about selling. But the emphasis, the state of mind you bring to the process, can make a big difference.

Nick Usborne is a copywriter, author, speaker and advocat of good writing. You can access all his archived newsletter articles on copywriting and writing for the web at his Excess Voice site. You'll find more articles and resources on how to make money as a freelance writer at his Freelance Writing Success site.


MORE RESOURCES:

Vega Open Day
Bizcommunity.com, South Africa - 9 hours ago
... Brand Communications where learners can develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of copywriting, visual communication or multimedia design. ...
Data Analyst Bizcommunity.com
all 2 news articles


Project Leader Copywriting
Oneworld, Netherlands - Jul 18, 2008
The department is responsible for six projects: Public Relations, Advertising, Publicity Stunt, Copywriting, Online Media and Website. ...


Penny Kim Joins Dialogue Media - MWW Group's Industry Leading ...
FOXBusiness - 1 hour ago
As digital media specialist, Kim brings expertise in online marketing, brand management, paid search (PPC), display media, social media, SEO and copywriting ...


The Copywriting Institute Announces New Media Marketing Package ...
Free press releases (press release), UK - Jul 8, 2008
The Copywriting Institute, a training and resources company for copywriters, announced the launch of their New Media Marketing Package. Denver, CO — July 8, ...


Pakistan-Based MSCopywriters Achieves Outstanding Growth as a ...
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Jul 8, 2008
Com currently provides copywriting, editing and journalism projects for clients in more than fifteen (15) countries. Available services range from feature ...


Search Engine Optimisation and Copywriting Will Help Your Business ...
Promotion World (press release), CA - Jul 9, 2008
This is where Professional Copywriting and SEO comes in. Working hand in hand these 2 industries will now produce amazing results for your website. ...


Web copywriting: setting the record straight
Bizcommunity.com, South Africa - Jun 30, 2008
As it turns out, web copywriting is a contentious issue - peppered with strongly differing views and hotly defended opinions. At this kitchen of contention, ...


ABC Copywriting unveils new website
PR Leap (press release), CA - Jun 27, 2008
COM) ABC Copywriting, the independent copywriting agency based in Norwich, UK, has created a new site providing full details of its writing and editing ...


Cape Peninsula University of Technology Advertising Students Use ...
PR-USA.net (press release), Bulgaria - Jul 18, 2008
Toronto, ONT (PRWEB) July 17, 2008 -- Over 200 Advertising students are using the 19 "New" Rules of Social Media Copywriting as part of the National Diploma ...


AFRICA´S LEADERS NEED A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THEIR THINKING
American Chronicle, CA - 2 hours ago
Mfonobong Nsehe is an advertising copywriter and also gives book manuscript editorial, magazine editing, website copywriting, speech writing, ...

Copywriting - Google News

home | site map
© 2006