Month: January 2018

High-performance website copy is important for your business, but most people don’t exactly know how to create content that’s both engaging and informative. If you’re struggling to build a site that actually benefits your business or you want to get more out of a site you already have, the first step is ensuring your copy is strong. Many people engage with a website before they decide whether or not they want to visit a store, seek more information or spend their money. The importance of having professional copy cannot be understated.

Copy is simply the words you use on your website, but those words can be used as a powerful tool for the benefit of your business. With the right words, people won’t just visit your website, and you’ll actually see a higher rate of clicks and conversions. It is the central message of your business, and it’s one of the primary ways you communicate about products, services and the heart of your company. The ultimate goal is to convert the people who visit your site into paying customers. Increasing conversion requires the text on your website to be easy to read, engaging, informative, yet simple.

Increasing conversions through your site copy requires at least a knowledge of everything from basic grammar rules to integrating easy-to-follow links and implementing strategic keywords. The complexity of building a site that actually benefits your business can be a fairly daunting task.

As something that could have a potentially huge impact on your business, you may find great benefit in turning to a professional for developing content that’s updated, fresh and relevant. By working closely with someone experienced in this area, you can be certain that your website copy is effective. Don’t let site visitors get away—attract and keep their attention with a well-built site and engaging, strong copy.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

In order to succeed in business, you have to convince people to buy your products or pay for your services. This is an incredibly simple concept, but it’s one that can be complex, expensive and frustrating in practice. It’s tempting to want to attract attention by blowing the socks off the competition and wowing your prospective customers by offering the next big thing; however, that’s often not the best approach. Instead of focusing on being the next big thing, focus instead on offering products and services that actually matter to the consumer. Offering value is what is going to set your business apart, not offering what’s trendy, spectacular or popular at the moment.

That is not to say that it’s not important to offer products that people want, but if you want repeat customers, offer something that will add value to their lives, one way or the other. People will typically buy something that is trendy just one time, but they will return again and again to the things that make their lives better, easier or more manageable. In order to create, build or offer a standout product, you will need to do the following:

• Take a good look at your market. What do they truly need? Are there other companies already actively saturating the market with similar products or services? Look at what is working, what isn’t working and what is lacking before you dive in.
• Try to find solutions to common problems. One of the best ways to add value to someone’s life is to find a solution to a problem or meet a need. What kind of things do people need to make their lives better? Are you able to meet needs in a unique, accessible way?
• Know your niche. People do not expect your company to be all things to them, all of the time. You do not have to feel compelled to meet every single need you see in your target market; you just have to do your one thing really, really well.

Products and services that actually matter to the consumer are going to be the reason why your business flourishes long into the future. Don’t worry about being the next big thing, but instead, focus on being the thing that adds value to the lives of your customers.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Even the most successful of people commit blunders from time to time. Thankfully, the standard for success is not perfection, but it is critical to take ownership of missteps and accept responsibility. As an entrepreneur, there may be times when you are the only person who can hold yourself accountable. Don’t let yourself slide, but acknowledge where you went wrong and take steps to rectify any mistakes you made.

One of the hallmarks of a true leader and successful entrepreneur is taking ownership of mistakes. Even when it’s difficult or it means accepting a slight amount of embarrassment, you have to break the habit of shifting the blame, ignoring issues that result from your mistakes and making others deal with your problems. You can start building more accountability for yourself in the following ways:

• Be honest with yourself and others when you make mistakes
• Take responsibility for the times you mess up
• Empower yourself to take on challenges head-on, finding solutions in a difficult situation
• Allow others the opportunity to be honest with you about the impact your actions have had

Owning your mistakes won’t make you weaker or seem less capable. In fact, being honest and open in these times will likely only solidify your reputation as someone who is trustworthy and professional. It means you have integrity and humility, and people are more likely to work with someone with these characteristics than someone who is dishonest and unwilling to take ownership of his or her mistakes.

Mistakes are inevitable, but the way that you handle missteps will set you apart from everyone else. Distinguish yourself by being honest in every aspect of your business operations, even when it’s unpleasant to do so. This will make you more relatable, more accessible and more respectable. Mistakes don’t define you or the success of your business, but how you handle them can.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

How do you react when you get bad news? Your reactions can range from panic to self-preservation, but there is a way that you can deal with bad news effectively. In fact, when you are able to manage your initial reactions to less-than-ideal situations, you can actually learn how to leverage these unexpected setbacks to your own advantage. Chances are that you will get bad news from time to time — it’s simply part of doing business. It’s what you do with the bad news that can set you apart.

First of all, take the time to separate fact from fiction. Getting bad news may seem devastating, but sitting down, going over the facts and separating your emotions from the situation can help you see how to effectively deal with the challenge at hand. Facts are your friend, but emotions can be misleading. Never let how you feel in the immediate aftermath of getting bad news determine your actions going forward.

Next, it’s helpful to think about what you should do to rectify the problem at hand. In some cases, it may be best to do nothing, and that’s fine. Have the courage to acknowledge when there is nothing to be done, which can free you up to move forward and move on. If it is necessary to do something, think carefully about the ramifications of any actions you take. Initial reactions may not always be the optimal choice. Think about short-term solutions with long-term benefits. What will be best for your business tomorrow and what will be best three months down the road?

At some point, you’re going to receive bad news or experience an unexpected setback. When this happens, you have a choice regarding how you will react and move forward. The words you use and your reactions matter, so choose yours wisely.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC