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Category: Content Marketing

10 Blogging Strategies from a Ghostwriting Pro

Joan Koehne Leave a comment
mountaintop in West Virginia is reminder of blogging strategies

My husband, Bill, and I just returned from an amazing vacation to West Virginia. The Fall colors were magnificent, especially when viewed from a mountaintop after we completed a long hike. The extra effort to get to the lookout certainly made the view more rewarding. Obviously, driving by car to the mountain peak just wouldn’t have the same effect. Essentially, the same goes for blogging strategies. If blogging were easy, everyone would be writing and publishing a blog a week. Like I explain in the Secret to Blogging Success article, blogging takes times, energy, and resources. However, the rewards are worth it!

Blogging Rewards

Here are the rewards of blogging.

  • Generate leads
  • Provides relevant content to your audience
  • Builds brand awareness
  • Drives traffic to your website, where conversions take place
  • Positions yourself as an authority in your industry
  • Informs and engages current clients and prospective clients

Blogging Strategies

Here are 10 blogging strategies to get you to the “mountaintop” of blogging success.

  1. Blog about a topic of interest to your target market each month. Be conversational and informative.
  2. Follow good formatting practices regarding length, headings, subheadings, and images. Create a look and readability that appeals to the audience.
  3. Optimize content for search engines with alt tags, page descriptions, categories, titles, and links to other posts/pages.
  4. Publish the blog article on your website.
  5. Promote the blog by sharing on social media, LinkedIn, emails, conversations with clients, etc.
  6. Monitor reader feedback, and respond within two business days.
  7. Review analytics for topics that earn the most attention. Develop related blog posts on these subjects.
  8. Include a Call to Action with each article.
  9. Leverage Google’s keyword analysis by using keywords your customers search for.
  10. Narrow your focus to topics that you’re an expert in. Have a point of view. Be different and get noticed.

Blogging Professional

When it comes to blogging, Writer to the Rescue handles everything. Above all, our ghostwriting services make you look good. Strong headlines and lead sentences invite the reader into the blog, and careful transitions keep them interested. Nontraditional story forms, like checklists, Q&As, timelines, and Top 10 lists, are great formats blogging strategies. So, are you ready to reach the peak of blogging success? Contact us today, 920-639-1865.

5 E-newsletter Marketing Tips to Grow Your Business

Joan Koehne Leave a comment
E-newsletter
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Is an E-newsletter or Direct Mail newsletter right for your business? Before you create a newsletter marketing campaign, here are five things to nail down.

Identify Your Target Reader

First, identify your target reader. Get a good picture in your mind of who you want to reach and how. Is your target audience likely to open an email and read a digital E-newsletter? Maybe your audience is more likely to read a Direct Mail print newsletter they can hold in their hands, rather than an E-newsletter.

Set E-Newsletter Goals

Second, think about your goals for an E-newsletter or print newsletter. Once you identify your goals for a newsletter, it’s easier to choose content. So, what results are you looking for?

Potential Newsletter Goals:

  • Send customers to your website to place orders
  • Bring consumers to your store or event
  • Tell the story of your brand’s products and services
  • Offer discounts or announce sales
  • Generates leads
  • Recruit the right people for your team

Tell Your Story with Images

Wonder Writer action figure

Third, you’ll need some great photos to tell your story at a glance. Casual or professional – you choose the images that fit your audience. Show off your team’s personality with photos of your staff. Use action photos to generate interest in your products and services.

Keep E-Newsletter Text Short & Sweet

Fourth, you’ll need words, because text is the meat of your newsletter. Short and sweet is the way to go. Write a summary paragraph about each topic. Add a click-through link to a longer article on your blog or website. Choose a click-bait subject line to entice more readers. To pick the best newsletter ideas, read through your recent social media posts, blogs, or company communications.

Newsletter Topic Ideas:

Strong Headlines in Packerland Websites newsletter
  • Showcase a new product or service
  • Explain how a product works
  • Highlight a member of your staff
  • Share a How-to Guide, Recipe, Alert, Recommendation
  • Publish a Calendar of Events & invite guests to attend
  • Communicate your company culture & vision

Design Like a Rock Star

Fifth, create an attractive newsletter design that’s mobile responsive and easy to read, scan, and click. Match the design with your brand by adding your company logo, colors, and motto. Even better, create a newsletter that mimics your website.

Contact Writer to the Rescue

Need an experienced newsletter editor to pull this all together? Writer to the Rescue offers the one-two punch of professional writing and marketing services. The Wonder Writer excels at using traditional and digital marketing tools to grow your small business. Expand your client base with an E-newsletter or print newsletter. Contact Writer to the Rescue today.

5 Ways to Develop your Brand Image with FAQs

Joan Koehne Leave a comment

When creating content for a website, I often recommend that clients create a Frequently Asked Questions page or FAQs blog article. Why are FAQ pages so valuable?

FAQs develop brand image

Rich in Keywords

First, FAQ pages are rich in keywords. By asking and answering questions related to your business, you use keywords specific to your industry. These keywords help a website rank higher on Google and other search engine results pages.

Resonate with Your Audience

Second, FAQs let your brand speak for itself. By incorporating your company’s authentic personality and voice, you create messaging that resonates with the audience. Not every question/answer needs to be serious. People love a good laugh. Don’t be afraid to add a couple of fun or offbeat questions and answers, if you think your audience is open to them.

Build Credibility

Third, FAQs show the audience that you’re a knowledgeable authority in your industry. Credibility is important when clients make purchasing decisions.

Differentiate Your Brand

Fourth, FAQs differentiate your brand from your competition. By emphasizing what sets you apart, you describe the value of working with you, not someone else.

Save Time

Fifth, FAQs save you time. Once clients sign a contract, schedule an initial consultation, or register for your services, you can refer them to your FAQs page. Here they’ll learn more about you and what to expect as your client, thus saving you the time answering the same questions over and over.

FAQs in Action

Lastly, let me show you how this works – by creating an FAQ page about FAQs!

Q: How many FAQs to a page?

I suggest that clients pick 6 or 7 questions to answer. What do people really want to know about your business? Include questions that clients are actually asking.

Q: How do I arrange FAQs?

When arranging your questions, group similar topics together. This arrangement creates natural transitions between questions and improves the flow of information. As a result, readers are more likely to engage in the content, which is just what you want because engagement leads to action. You may even want to add subtitles to divide questions and answers into scannable content.

Q: How do I write FAQs?

Questions and answers should be written in language that your clients will understand, so avoid jargon or complex information that leads to more questions. Keep the FAQs simple and straight-forward, with answers written from your client’s perspective. Try to answer questions in a positive way, telling the audience what to do, not what to avoid. When feasible, add images to help explain your words.

Q: How do I format FAQs?

Make them reader-friendly. Don’t make your readers work to find the information they want by scrolling through long paragraphs. Instead, I recommend a jump feature or an accordion design. The questions are visible, and when a user clicks on a question, an answer appears. The FAQs expand and contract like an accordion. Additionally, questions can be formatted in bold or underlined to separate them from the answers.

Q: How do I promote engagement?

Promote engagement by linking the questions and answers to articles or web pages related to your topic. You’ll also want to end the page or post with a Call to Action that encourages visitors to take the next step. Be sure to update the page or post regularly to keep your content fresh and emphasize what’s new at your business.

Q: How can Writer to the Rescue help with FAQs?

By working with Writer to the Rescue, you receive professionally written and formatted FAQs that are ready for publication. FAQs are an important part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. Contact the Wonder Writer at 920-639-1865 to get started.

gathering information for a blog

Gathering information for a blog

Joan Koehne Leave a comment

When I begin blogging for a client, we review three main points. First, we talk about what the client wants to accomplish by blogging. Second, we talk about the logistics of gathering information for a blog, writing, and publishing the articles and images. Lastly, we discuss ways to market the blog. Let’s take a closer look at gathering information for a blog.

gathering information for a blog

Gathering information for a blog

As a ghost writer, I often blog in first-person, so each article has to reflect a client’s personality. A conversation over the phone or in person lets me capture my client’s individuality. I translate his or her ideas into a credible, readable article. We discuss the tone to strike with the audience. Formal or casual? First person (as if they’re writing it themselves) or second person (from an outside observer).

To make the best use of my clients’ time when gathering information for a blog, I often cover 2-3 topics in one phone interview. Additionally, we connect during their downtime, not their busy time.

Identifying specific keywords

We talk about keywords for their industry, and specifically, for their business. For example, I blog for an asphalt company that provides four services: paving, striping, seal coating, and crack repair. I work those four keywords (and other keywords) into their blogs. Keywords help a website rank better on Google and other search engine results pages. Users who type in a query like “Seal coating companies in Green Bay” can connect with companies that offer this service.

Furthermore, keywords are my guide to optimization techniques. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) includes links, images, tags, page titles, and page descriptions. I use the keywords I gather from a client to complete this behind-the-scenes optimization.

Giving clients control over content marketing

Once I’m done gathering information for a blog, I begin writing. After a blog is written, it’s time to get the client’s seal of approval. Thereby, my client maintains control over the message, which is so important when defining and maintaining a brand image. The first set of revisions is included in my base price.

Working together to tell a story

Gathering information for a blog is just part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. By working with a professional blogger, my clients develop marketing and branding strategies that get results. A content marketing expert like Writer to the Rescue skillfully tells each client’s story.

Contact the Wonder Writer at 920-639-1865 to discuss how we can work together on blogs, website content, news releases, or magazine articles.

written content

How good content builds your customer base

Joan Koehne Leave a comment
content writing

I previously worked with a client who needed fresh content for his revamped website. As it turns out, the text on his old website had been “borrowed” from another company. Needless to say, it didn’t reflect my client’s products, brand identity, or way of doing business. It was just a quick way to fill a page. Copycat content certainly is never a good idea.

Website pages are more likely to engage the audience by being authentic, original, and conversational. Above all, this is what builds customer trust. The audience will be pulled into the message as a result. They’ll see the company as a solution-focused adviser and expert.

Emotionally connect with the audience

The goal of good content writing is to emotionally connect with the audience. This involves sharing useful information that answers the customers’ basic questions. Furthermore, the focus needs to be on the consumer’s desire to learn “What will this product/service mean to me?” and “How does this make me feel?”

Focus on your customer’s success

Here’s an example of a shift in focus, from company-focused to consumer-focused. The first example is written from the perspective of the marketing company, working for a manufacturing firm.

“Company X is a team of marketing and branding professionals based in Janesville, Wisconsin. We help manufacturers tell their story and build their brand. Our customer-focused, proven strategies allow manufacturers to develop a comprehensive marketing campaign at a small price.”

Write from the customer’s perspective

In contrast, the second is written from a customer-focused angle. It describes what the marketing services will mean to the client (growth and success). This example also spikes an emotion: anxiety. It also provides a solution (simple, understandable strategies).

“Company X, Janesville, helps manufacturers grow and succeed through smart marketing and branding strategies. We understand the marketing anxiety manufacturers face. That’s why we offer a full scope of simple, understandable strategies. We provide everything a small manufacturer needs to present a “big company” presence.”

Most importantly, the second example shows a concern for the client’s success. It has a “We’re in this together” feel of a partnership rather than a top-down approach.

Build relationships via written content

Essentially, relationships are at the heart of sales conversions. Building these relationships through clear and compelling content is the key to developing loyal customers. Certainly, original content that tells a company’s unique story is a good place to start.

Work with a marketing professional

For website content that builds a loyal customer base, contact the Wonder Writer, 920-639-1865 or Joan@WriterToTheRescue.com.

blogging

Bloggers’ Bible: 10 Tips to Get You Rolling

Joan Koehne Leave a comment

First time blogger? Blogging is an effective way to define your niche and interact with others online. Blogging fosters your relationship with your audience and sets you apart as an industry expert. Bloggers who capture the attention of their audience reap the benefits, becoming well-respected sources of products and services.

Here are 10 tips to get you started as a blogger.

  1. Brainstorm ideas. Consider what people want to know. I chose this topic after talking with a business owner at a banquet. He wanted to start blogging and didn’t know how. What questions did you answer today?
  2. Consider your brand image. The content you create and share is a reflection of your company. Make sure your messaging style is consistent with your overall marketing plan.
  3. Write an outline. Consider your key points and put them in order.
  4. Share your expertise. You’d be surprised by how much knowledge you have of your industry.
  5. Keep it interesting. Write in a conversational style that fits your audience. Use transition words (in addition, because, seems like, etc.) so people read it start to finish. Make it a readable length (300-350 words), and use subheadings, lists or bullet points to break up the copy.
  6. Write an introduction and a conclusion. Begin with a sentence that draws people into the blog, and end with a sentence that leaves them satisfied.
  7. Read it aloud, slowly. Look at every word individually and how it fits in a sentence. Remove or rework awkward phrases. Divide lengthy sentences (20 words or more) into shorter sentences.
  8. Use spell check. Save yourself the embarrassment of typos and misspellings. If your blog is peppered with errors, you undermine your authority as an expert.
  9. Create a list of headlines. Incorporate attention-getting phrases, like “How to…, Why you should…, The future of…, 5 ways to…” Take your time and write a winner.
  10. Promote your blog. Share it on Facebook and LinkedIn. Link to it in your company’s eNewsletter. Send it to media outlets as a feature article or letter to the editor.

Every blogger begins somewhere. I hope you use these tips to start blogging.

If you’re still gun shy, contact Writer to the Rescue at 920-639-1865 to discuss how we can work together on blogs, website content, news releases, magazine articles, and more.

blogging
writing website page

How to Write a Wicked Website Page

Joan Koehne Leave a comment
writing website page

In order to make a sale, the text on your website needs to written with purpose. It needs to punch through the online clutter and deliver a clear message to your audience. When writing a page of website content, I use a multi-step process. First, I contact a business owner to learn about his or her business. Second, I follow up with online research to learn more about the industry. Third, I identify keywords, key phrases, and key concepts. Finally, I begin writing. As you can see, a website page isn’t whipped together willy-nilly. It requires a clear strategy. Here’s my approach to writing a web page.

State your solutions to their pain points

I start by answering the question: “What challenges do your clients face?” I put myself in the shoes of the client and clearly state their pain points. Then I offer a solution that really makes sense Here’s an example from a Writer to the Rescue client: “I’d rather put my head in a blender than write a video script.” Writer to the Rescue is passionate about writing and content marketing. The Wonder Writer will take your vision and ideas and craft a video script that’s camera ready within a week.

Use keywords to improve SEO

I follow up with a product description, instructions for use, and examples of how it makes life better. To improve search engine optimization (SEO), I weave keywords into the website page. I also highlight keywords in subheadings to give the keywords more weight. When someone types in a query, Google or another search engine will index the Internet to find a suitable answer. I want my web page to rank as high as possible, so people are more likely to click-through to my website.

End with a call to action

Each web page ends with a recap of the main point and a call to action. Here’s an example: “Contact Writer to the Rescue today for a quote.” For better conversions, this call to action links to my contact page.

Write web pages with intention

To keep the reader engaged, a web page needs to have a tone that’s understandable and conversational. It should be free of grammatical and spelling errors that undermine your professional reputation.

To improve readability, I intentionally use:

  • Active voice
  • Transitions
  • Readable sentences
  • Short paragraphs

Increase traffic to website

A well-written website page increases traffic to a website and keeps visitors engaged longer. Bounce rates go down, and conversions go up. For strategically written website content, contact me for a free quote, 920-639-1865.

blogging

The Secret to Blogging Success

Joan Koehne Leave a comment

As an experienced professional blogger, I have discovered the secret to blogging success. Commitment. Blogging isn’t a flash-in-the-pan experience. Instead, it’s an ongoing campaign that takes time, energy, and resources. Simply put, a successful blog takes work. That’s why it helps to partner with a professional like Writer to the Rescue. We are your accountability buddy, motivating you to stay on track.

Envisioning the outcome

There are lots of good reasons to blog. For example, blogging is a great way to express your brand’s identity through images and storytelling. Blogs help you separate yourself from the competition by explaining what’s uniquely you. Plus, you can share your company culture. Give readers insight into how and why you do what you do. This helps you attract good employees.

blogging

Increasing traffic

If your company is active on social media, it’s smart to amplify the reach of your blog by posting it to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You share your original content while building relationships with your social media fans. Fans go from your social media networks to your website. In this way, blogging increases traffic to your website where visitors are converted to customers.

Striking the right chord

You want fans to think: “How interesting.” “What a great read.” Then you’re hitting on the right cylinders. Your blogs are readable and informative. Plus, they demonstrate your authority on a topic of interest. Who doesn’t want to be known as an expert in their field? As a go-to resource when a person needs your product or service? In a blog, you can announce changes to your location or services, promote upcoming events, introduce new products, or celebrate milestones.

Getting noticed online

Surprisingly, blogs aren’t written just for the human eye. They also get the attention of search bots on the web. Blogs add depth to a website, further cementing your company’s authority and digital presence. If optimized properly, blogs can be rich in keywords, links, and images, thereby helping to improve a website’s organic ranking. Bottom line: Blogs help you get found on the internet as an essential part of SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Trusting a blogging professional

Interested in learning more about blogging? Ready to sign on with the professional blogging services of Writer to the Rescue? Give us a call today, 920-639-1865.

inbound marketing

Why Inbound Marketing Fits Today’s Advertising Landscape by Being Attuned to Your Clients

Joan Koehne Leave a comment

inbound marketingAt Writer to the Rescue I interact with a lot of savvy entrepreneurs who know how to generate leads and make sales. One of my newest clients mentioned “inbound marketing” when he contacted me about blog writing, e-newsletters, and website content. What exactly is inbound marketing, and how can it help me grow my business?

Inbound marketing is less about transactions and more about relationships.

Gone are the days of selling products by touting their advantages. People today shy away from the overt advertising and hard-sell techniques of outbound marketing. Instead of using direct tactics, you want to blend in. You don’t want to look salesy.

Inbound marketing relies on creating valuable experiences and making positive impressions.

The foundation of inbound marketing is content that provides value to customers, builds relationships, and forms connections. For example, when blogging for a wedding venue, my message needs to answer the questions the bride is asking. A blog about decorating explains who’s responsible for set up and clean up, what decorations come with the venue, when the venue is open for decorating, how many decorations are needed, and other information specific to the wedding. The bride isn’t looking for general tips–she’s probably pinned tons of ideas from Pinterest. She’s looking for a personalized guide to one, specific venue. You want a blog article geared to brides who are detail-oriented and motivated to organize as much as possible before their big day. When choosing a venue, the bride wants to know the venue is attuned to details large and small.

Inbound marketing can be modified to fit your business and target market.

So, now it’s time to consider your own business. What will provide value to the clients you serve? Do you have insider tips to share? Concepts that seem ordinary to you may be something new and interesting to your clients. They visited to your website or read your blog post because they have questions, and they leave with answers. More importantly, they leave with a fuller understanding of how you do business. Create content that addresses their questions, and you build credibility and trust for your company while attracting interested prospects.

website content

Is your website content turning people away?

Joan Koehne Leave a comment

If your website content is too short, too wordy, too repetitive, or lacks critical information, it may appear that you don’t want people’s business. Your text needs to show that you are the one to trust for your product or service. Quality website content can express your values, explain the benefits of working with you, and set a precedent

website content

of high expectations. Having clear, well-conceived content on your website is one indication of how well your business operates. The more readable the content, the more inviting it is for visitors to do business with you.

Website content needs to resonate with readers

When developing written content, consider how to make your message resonate with your readers. You want readers to have a comfortable experience. You want to give them the information they need, and make it easy for them to find. People aren’t going to your website for leisure reading; they’re looking for details about your brand. What are your hours? Your phone number? Your products and services? Most importantly, how do these products and services work for me?

Make a good first impression

Headings and subheadings contribute to a solid first impression. Website content also needs to impress returning visitors. Visitors gain confidence in you as a trusted source of information. They know they will be satisfied they have the information they need when they visit your site.

Foster relationships

You want to encourage visitors to stay connected. Building a relationship with readers improves their overall experience with your company. You want to create a positive experience they’ll remember. A visit to your website should lead to conversions like online orders, phone calls, or in-person consultations. Website content that is sparse (or long-winded), poorly written, or outdated casts a negative light on your business. The better your information, the more inviting it is to readers. Your readers will be confident that they’ll find what they need and the products and services they can rely on as well.

Is it time for fresh content on your website? Contact the Wonder Writer today.