Boost your online biz writing in 5 easy steps

Disheartened by spending hours writing copy for your social media pages or website only for it to be left hanging with a couple of 'likes' and minimal clicks? Need call-to-action copy that packs a punch? My five easy steps will take the strain out of writing and allow you to reach your target audience in a stress-free, meaningful way.

Step 1: Plan for success Before you hit that keyboard, plan out what you want to say. What are the main points of your text? Who is it aimed at? How will you structure your writing so it flows in a logical, coherent way? By planning in this way, you'll save yourself time and heartache later on. Step 2: Pick an intro that grabs As the old saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of intros. No one wants to read dry, boring copy so use your intro to reel your reader in and ensure they're fully hooked from the start. Step 3: Write from the heart Include some aroha in your writing. You are your brand so be sure not to leave yourself out of your writing. Share a little of yourself with your potential clients and they're more likely to want to engage with you and your biz. If you're a casual person, don't be afraid to use casual writing in your texts. This is particularly true for posts on social media platforms because they were built to be, well, social.

Step 4: Stay on point We all have that one friend who talks and talks but never seems to reach the point of their conversation. Don't be that friend! Keep your sentences short and snappy. If you've got lots of points to make, consider dividing them into a series of feeds or a longer blog post. This way, your copy gets your message across succinctly without losing your audience in the process. Step 5: Call to action It may seem obvious, but it's the one thing that's most commonly missed off when businesses post content online. Communicate your message to your reader then tell them what you want them to do with it. This may be sharing your post, tagging a friend, commenting with their thoughts, or sending you a message. Whatever it is, make sure you explain this clearly in your writing. And another step: OK, I lied... this is a 6-step guide simply because composing carefully-crafted copy always requires proofreading. Good copy is like a fine wine; you need to let it breathe before returning to it for consumption. Go ahead and write your text, take a break and then come back to it and proofread, proofread, proofread. When you write your own copy, your words become part of your inner voice making it hard to read it objectively. Rope someone else in to cast an eye over your work, if possible. Even the best posts can be ruined by a simple spelling mistake or grammatical error. And that's it! Now it's over to you. I look forward to reading your captivating copy. Tag me in your online posts and I'll be sure to respond. Oh, and before you go dear reader, please spread the aroha by sharing this blog with your friends and followers.