Lauren Jefferson - FocusCopy®

How We Use ClickUp To Manage Our Content Production Calendar

Systems / By Lauren Jefferson / August 12, 2022 August 15, 2022

If there is one thing we do better than other copywriting firms, it is managing our content production calendars. It’s critical for our business to succeed and would normally require a lot of preparation and planning. But our professional copywriting business uses a management application called ClickUp, packed with features to keep our calendars in line and on the move.

We quickly realized that talking about how we manage our workload can help a ton of other small businesses out there manage theirs. Using a management system like ClickUp can operate seamlessly within your budget – or without paying a single dime.

When every hour is accounted for in your day, you should have the tools to navigate your time to the best of your ability. Time management isn’t always an easy skill to master. From professional copywriters to other small business owners out there, here’s how we use ClickUp to manage our content production calendar.

Looking for additional strategies to improve productivity? Download our free guide, Easy-to-Implement Scalable SOP Framework.

What Is ClickUp?

ClickUp is an all-in-one online project management tool that tracks your workload, follows the chain of work, and acts as a filing system. Furthermore, it has a ton of features that assist your daily responsibilities, like meeting notes, collaboration add-ons, organization tabs and folders, and so much more.

I know! It sounds like a lot, but we’ll break it down to show you how it’s helped us stay organized and efficient.

What Is A Content Production Calendar?

Your business’s content production calendar should be a broad view of the ongoing and upcoming projects you have. You can also have a different calendar for different avenues of your business. For example, you may have one for client projects and another for marketing efforts.

It helps to divide your projects into labels like:

Active or open
Call made
Closing out
Closed
Onboarding
Complete
Due date

This way, everything you need to keep an eye on is on the calendar, and you know where it stands in the line of production.

You can think of your content production calendar in ClickUp like a desktop calendar you might have in front of you. Instead of tearing off a new page at the beginning of the month, everything you need is digital. Another big benefit of using ClickUp’s online calendar is that you can view it as a list or in a digital planner, which is a huge plus for those who are more visual thinkers.

How We Manage Our Content Production Calendar With ClickUp

As you may guess, your content production calendar is your lifeline as it allows you to keep up with everything that’s going on around you. We use ClickUp’s content production calendar by using the Spaces section to divide our workload into work we do for clients and then for our own scalable growth.

Managing Client Work

Assigned work breaks down into individual labels for each one of our clients. Then it’s divided into various phases, depending on where we are on our timeline. From each phase, tasks are arranged based on due dates and named according to the correct project. All of this allows us to maintain a digital filing cabinet with everything we need, including meeting notes, calls, and anything else to help us as we write.

Tracking Brand Growth

Client work is its own category, which means the work we do to support our business is also its own section. Our marketing efforts divide up into particular sections like Email Marketing and Social Media. Each subsection is a virtual file that opens up to ongoing, upcoming, or completed tasks. Again, you can set due dates for each item so they appear on your visual calendar.

Brain Dump Topic Ideas In One Place

Choose where you want to keep track of your ideas, notes, and meetings with anyone. So, instead of using 100,000 randomly placed post-it notes, you have everything stored where you will easily find it. Instead of a visual calendar, think of this feature as a digital notebook organized for you through ClickUp.

We keep a document in the same place as our topic reviews for each client to throw in new ideas and “dump” them into one place. These files are internal, so you won’t have anyone outside your organization see them…or your super scribbled notes. Feel free to throw in half-baked thoughts, tidbits of information, and random topic ideas whenever you need to. Using an online system prevents the information from being lost, while enhanced security keeps your notes between only you and whomever else you decide to share them with.

When it’s time to review new or refreshed ideas, you can refer to your topic document and select from everything you’ve added over time. It will all still be as you left it, so you’re actively preparing for meetings beforehand and not scrambling to develop new ones on the spot.

Use Your Content Production Calendar To Balance Content Pillars & CTAs

You can also divide your tasks based on which type of content they cover, known as content pillars. Because scaling your business isn’t just about creating new content, it’s crucial for you to make varied, quality content.

As an example, if all you’re focusing on is producing 10 new blogs a month for a year, you’re limiting your potential. Other avenues of your marketing efforts are being ignored by not diversifying your content. Think of a few broad topics to create pillar pages on and use those to splinter into other channels like social media posts, blogs, lead magnets, and other material.

You want to focus on generating content that hits the following keys consistently:

Promote
Education or inform
Engage
Motivate or inspire

The idea of each piece? To get your audience to take action…any action! Whether you want them to buy, download, shop, or book an appointment, here is where you weave that action in.

We’re just going to leave this free download about Easy-to-Implement Scalable SOP Framework right here.

How Implementing Content Pillars Works

Own a bakery? You may have an entire web page generally covering wedding cakes. Then, you can splinter that content into so much more, answering questions like…How much does a wedding cake cost per serving? Or Why are wedding cakes so expensive?

As the industry expert, you can answer these questions any way you like and prompt readers to take action like:

Book a wedding cake consultation
Download a free wedding cake flavor profile booklet
Reach out to our wedding bakery team for a custom order

The options are limitless, and it all starts with one solid idea.

Schedule Your Team Based On Availability

Finally, a visual content production calendar with clear-cut due dates and tracking for your employees. Through ClickUp, we use this feature to keep an eye on our schedules and view the workload of others. As a business owner, you can view the same information and adjust workloads accordingly.

Have an employee on vacation? What about extra time left on the schedule?

Quickly shift assignments from one person to another, so nothing slips through the cracks. You can also make adjustments within each task to alter due dates and responsibilities and add notes just in case. Use helpful automation tools and content production calendar management software to keep projects going without missing deadlines.

Keep Your Content Production Calendar On Track With FocusCopy

On top of using software like ClickUp, we also have other processes in place to streamline our writing process. Our goal is to deliver quality content to your inbox on time or before you expect it! Having so many organizational processes in place allows us to offer full-service copywriting to small businesses across the U.S. whenever you need it. So, wipe the sweat off your brow and leave your writing responsibilities to our team of professional writers.

Before you go, explore more Easy-to-Implement Scalable SOP Framework tips and tricks right here!

Implement Our Scalable Marketing SOP Framework & Scale Your Marketing Processes With Ease

become more process-oriented, productive, & focus on what moves the needle the furthest with this framework

7 Ways Copywriting Helps Businesses Reach Their Goals Swiftly & Profitably

Entrepreneurship / By Lauren Jefferson / August 10, 2022 February 28, 2023

Interested in learning more about the ways copywriting helps businesses? For some business owners, writing their own copy isn’t a huge undertaking and the words come easily. However, to others, copywriting is a dreadful task.

One of the most common things we hear from our clients is, “I hate writing.” We get it! Even though we’re passionate about what we do, it isn’t always our favorite cup of ~~tea~~ java every day either – haha!

However, deciding you don’t need a professional copywriter is a huge mistake. 86% of professionals agree their audience judges their brand negatively if they see errors in their copy. In fact, 72% of people will judge a business based on their business cards alone. Think about it – are your business cards giving too much or too little information? What about typos or incomplete addresses and phone numbers?

Even if you’re a great writer, having a copywriter on hand saves you from having to do it all yourself.

Ready to improve your business’s profitability with copy that converts? Get started with FocusCopy.

Why Businesses Need Strong Copywriting In Marketing & Sales

As we learned with COVID and eventually the virtual overload, you cannot be all places at all times. Copywriting helps you get your pitches down in writing so you can help your customers move along their customer journey without ever having to get in your car or hop on a Zoom meeting.

One of the most common problems businesses face is customers calling to ask for information that your website should quickly answer. Look at your website and social media if you experience repeat calls asking the same questions. Is the information clear across all platforms?

If not, a copywriter can rework the information and streamline its readability to keep your potential readers motivated to take the next step in the buying process. A copywriter can also help you create other cohesive and engaging assets like flyers, posters, emails, newsletters, etc.

Do you need one or all of the above assets? We can help!

How Copywriting Helps Businesses Grow & Scale

Here are 7 ways copywriting helps businesses and adds value to your marketing assets.

1. It Builds Customer Relationships

Most people buy from businesses they feel they know and trust. But building a real, trusting, and beneficial relationship between the customer and your business takes work.

If you have trouble connecting with your audience, hiring a professional copywriter allows you to focus on your goals using long-term techniques.

A copywriter can help bring you and your customers together by giving them the information they need without placing too much pressure on them to make a decision right away. Using a carefully planned campaign is how copywriting helps businesses attract new customers and keep them coming back for more until they’re ready to make a purchase.

2. It Extends Your Brand Recognition & Reach

As more people connect with your words, they will likely remember who you are and suggest your company to other people. Think about it this way, I’ll bet you know each of these companies by just their tagline or motto alone…

Ever heard…Just do it?

What about…What’s in your wallet?

And no one will soon forget what “the breakfast of champions” means.

Great copy shouldn’t be underestimated. Even without billions of dollars, local businesses continue to make a name for themselves through great copy. And it’s because they put extra effort into their writing and understand its long-term benefits.

3. It Pushes Your Target Audience Through The Customer Journey

Part of any ideal marketing copywriting style includes the ability to appeal to a particular audience to get them to buy. Because writers tend to work with various clients, it’s also important for your writer to be able to use their writing to connect with your customers genuinely. A few tactics copywriters use to relate to your customers and encourage them to make a purchase include:

Addressing pain points
Providing solutions with persuasive communication
Making the experience personal
Understanding each step in the customer journey

Each of these sounds simple and logical enough. But getting these ideas into words is much more difficult than you think. However, having the skills to do this is crucial to getting your message across so that readers will take the next step.

4. It Increases Traffic To Your Website (Without Needing PPC)

Small businesses struggle to compete with larger businesses because those companies often pay to increase the success of their online marketing. You may recognize this strategy in the ads you see on Instagram or promoted products that appear while you browse the web. Both are referred to as pay per click advertising (PPC). But you don’t need to have a budget for paid advertising to be successful.

Quality copywriting on your social media, optimized in blogs, and on other assets attract people to your website without trying too hard. Again, the idea is to have your copy work for you. If your potential audience is confused about what you do and how you do it, your writing works against you.

5. It Gets You Out Of Meetings So You Can Work On Your Business

A professional copywriter will have their own process in place to ensure the work is done on time and reviewed carefully before reaching your inbox. This means you spend less time worrying about the logistics of your marketing efforts and more time focusing on your more pertinent responsibilities. It’s all part of the delegating process of your business model, which allows you to balance your must-do and want-to-do lists.

6. It Converts Prospects Into Paying Clients

A solid copywriting foundation starts with the ability to be creative and self-starting. The perfect words don’t always appear immediately. It takes motivation and the ability to generate copy out of nothing to create something tangible. This isn’t easy for most people, which is why having a professional copywriter takes the responsibility of balancing these skills off your plate.

7. It Doesn’t Rely On Human Capital To Grow

Your website works for you whether you’re in the office or not. Read that again.

A professional copywriter helps entrepreneurs like you save time from having to answer the same questions and stay on the clock 24 hours a day to generate more sales. Having evergreen digital assets like a website with comprehensive writing lets someone take action immediately.

Benefit From The Many Ways Quality Copywriting Helps Businesses & Create A Bold Brand Following

We understand that your business is your pride and joy. We’re here to help grow your business by reaching a larger audience and converting them into loyal customers through strategic copywriting.

Let’s be real. You have a deadline in mind for your next project. Let’s talk about making it happen!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

What To Look For When Hiring Content Writers

Copywriting / By Lauren Jefferson / August 8, 2022 February 19, 2024

How do you know what to look for when hiring content writers?

You’re a small business owner, which means you must justify every cent of your budget.

As a writer, it’s my job to delve into my creative superpowers. However, as a business owner, I also understand why it’s hard to know what to look for when hiring creative professionals.

Writers tend to have resumes longer than a page and freelance work sprinkled into their experience. Because writers are part of the creative process, it’s also tough to put an exact number on a project’s progress (psst…I have a tip for this, too). But there’s more to finding a quality content writer than a lengthy resume.

If you’re looking for a content writing professional, I suggest using these 7 qualities of a content writer before you make the big hire.

Don’t want to spend too much time and money sifting through what to look for when hiring content writers? FocusCopy is the jolt you need to get your copy going.

What Is A Content Writer?

Content writers use a combination of creativity and optimization to ensure their writing hits the right goals and ranks higher on search engines. The first part is key to making your copy flow, while the second is crucial for your online presence.

A content writer will work with you on your website to improve your search engine optimization (SEO), allowing more people to see your content. A quality content writer will usually work on creating consistent content rather than focusing on a one-and-done project.

Why Does Your Business Need To Hire A Content Writer?

Copywriter, content writer, editor, and simply writer are all used interchangeably. But they don’t truly mean the same thing. A copywriter can tell a story or sell a product or service by engaging their audience and converting them with persuasive writing. A content writer focuses more on educational information and other technical aspects to get your content in front of your target audience faster.

Need a team of writers to take on your copywriting and content writing? FocusCopy is here to help.

7 Traits To Look For When Hiring A Content Writer

There are many content writers out there, but here’s how you find the right one.

1. A Willingness To Learn

One of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein is,

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.”
Albert Einstein

Even after years of formal education and work experience, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. Your content writer should be open and excited to learn about your business, operations, and anything else you can teach them as a professional in your field. Ongoing education creates room for better writing and a stronger connection between yourself and your content writer. A content writer who strives to quickly pick up your company’s purpose and turn those thoughts into words will be your winner.

2. Pride Is In Their Work, Not Their Voice

A good question to ask during your interview is, “How would you describe your personal writing style?”

Then ask, “How would you describe your writing style when it comes to your clients?”

It’s important to ask both because every writer has their own style, but their professional success depends on the work they produce – not typically their own voice.

It helps to ask for a portfolio or samples of their writing before you decide who to hire. Their sample work will give you a good idea of what level of quality you can expect and insight into how they write across several industries. How you measure the quality of their work leads us to our next tip.

3. Substantial Documentation For Quality & SEO

Your content writer should track SEO content over time to ensure that it’s producing tangible results. A method to track quality content writing is done by measuring key performance indicators (KPIs). This can look like your:

Audience reach
Sales made
Amount of increased referrals
Number of calls to action made
Increased visits to your location or website

Don’t worry about using another business’s KPIs to determine your success. Find one appropriate for your company and use it to measure your success moving forward.

As you see an increase or decline in results, have open conversations often with your content writer. Open communication while working together lets them adjust their methods when needed to reach your collective goals.

4. Knowledge Of What Your Target Audience Needs & Wants

You wouldn’t consult with a dermatologist for heart surgery. You might talk to a general surgeon, but it’s ideal to speak to someone who specializes in what YOU need.

Apply similar logic to find a content writer. If your audience expects a professional tone and industry-heavy jargon, find someone who understands this or has worked in your industry before.

You can also find a content writer who can adapt their writing to the proper audience. Their writing should have the ability to connect with the reader and relate to them in a way that feels natural. Writers with various work backgrounds, agency work, public relations, and other marketing creation will most likely have the experience necessary to give you what you need.

SEO is still important, but plugging in content that ranks higher on Google can feel robotic. A good writer will weave in optimized content while making the copy easy to digest.

5. Ability To Take Constructive Feedback Without Wilting

Have you ever heard that creatives can be sensitive?

While we all have our moments, we’re professionals like anyone else. Being able to take criticism and apply it with care is definitely one of the qualities of a content writer. This is important because then, you can talk to them freely and as an expert in your field about:

Making necessary changes
Rewording
Refreshing headlines and subheadings
Tweaking their style
Any glaring issues

Their process for feedback should be swift and responsive, so you can get back on track without missing a beat. If you need edits and revisions quickly, set this expectation beforehand so it’s clear moving forward.

6. Flawless Processes In Place

When searching for what to look for when hiring content writers, find one that is process-driven and organized. If you’re curious about this process, ask!

Processes will include things like:

Research and discovery
Outlining content
Writing
Editing
Proofreading
Revisions

How they take on projects will give you a better idea of how they prefer to collaborate, communicate, and adhere to deadlines. This is a fantastic way to find out if they’re the right fit for the writing you need.

7. Quality Proofreading

Yes, proofreading is mentioned above, but I’m repeating it because it’s THAT important.

The last thing you want is to hire a content writer who doesn’t check their work! No matter how many keywords appear or how relevant the content is, it doesn’t mean a thing if it has a ton of errors. Trust me. Your customers will notice if the writing itself looks sloppy. Your ideal content writer will check and double-check to ensure everything looks good before hitting ‘SEND’.

Turn To FocusCopy For All Your Content Writing Needs

As a business owner, time isn’t usually on your side. Your decisions need to be intelligent and quick (but not too quick).

If you’re looking for content writers with loads of experience, FocusCopy is the team assembled for you – ready when you are. Skip out on printing resumes and scheduling interviews, and fast forward to the part where your writing is taken care of for you. Why search for what to look for when hiring content writers when a team with all the qualities you need already exists?

Save yourself the search and schedule a call with the FocusCopy team today.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

How To Overcome Writer’s Block & Get Back On The Right Track

Copywriting / By Lauren Jefferson / August 3, 2022 August 8, 2022

Who else has a hard time overcoming writer’s block? I know I do!

We’ve all had those days. You know the ones…You have a ton of writing on your to-do list. However, after your third (or sixth) cup of coffee, you still can’t seem to focus on the task at hand. That blinking cursor on an empty page begins to mock you. Then, each blink begins to sound like the ticking of a clock inside your head as the day continues on without making progress.

Writers love to joke that their favorite thing about deadlines is the whooshing sound it makes as it passes by. But the downside of letting writer’s block get the best of you is those deadlines push back other important projects and encourage you to procrastinate. Even if your deadlines are flexible, you should treat them as though they aren’t. But it’s completely understandable that writer’s block can have an impact on your ability to perform.

Instead of sitting around waiting for inspiration to strike or switching to social media, try these 8 tips to get you back on track in 10 minutes or less. OR skip the how to overcome writer’s block tips and get right to an effective solution with the FocusCopy team.

What Is Writer’s Block?

Many of us associate writer’s block with our school days. You’re at your desk and everyone is scribbling away…except you. You understand the assignment. You just don’t know where to start! Your brain might feel foggy or like a pile of mush because while you’re capable of writing, the words just won’t come out.

Writer’s block is real. And even though your braces are gone and your handwriting has improved, writer’s block still affects people well into adulthood. Only now, writer’s block eats into your productivity and profitability. But there are a few ways to turn writer’s block around.

Need a faster, more effective solution? FocusCopy has your back.

Why Do We Get Writer’s Block?

There are several reasons writer’s block happens. A few of these reasons are mental, which means it’s important to do everything you can to get your mind in a clear and comfortable space.

The most common reasons people experience writer’s block are:

Timing
Lack of energy
Fear
Perfectionism
Unclear direction

The thing about these symptoms of writer’s block is they’re usually all connected. But don’t worry because as soon as you start a routine to improve your productivity and get the hang of getting over writer’s block, it’ll become habitual.

A Guide On How To Overcome Writer’s Block

Here are 8 things you can do to get past writer’s block.

1. Start With A Big Idea

What’s your purpose for writing and what’s the purpose of the piece? If you’re writing your own biography for your website, what’s the big idea behind it? It may be to:

Inform readers about your credentials
Discuss how many companies you’ve helped
Tell a story about how your sales have improved over time

Whatever you’re trying to do through your writing, know what it is and jot it down!

2. Know Your Goal

Once you have the big idea down, your main goal should be clear. If you have questions, ask. Yep! Even if you’re the boss. It’s okay to ask people you admire what they think, if they can edit, or if they have any other ideas. This way, you avoid writing with no real direction.

Scribbling can help if you’re brainstorming and trying to get the juices flowing. But if you’ve been at it for too long, writing with an unclear goal leads to multiple revisions, edits, and everyone’s favorite – total rewrites! You want to avoid wasting time and money by redoing work that should be on the right track the first time around. Ask questions and be sure you’re on the same page about goals and expectations.

3. Outline Your Copy

Before outlining your copy, you should know and stick to a deadline. Account for the time it takes to brainstorm, outline, and edit your work. From there, choose an ideal day and time to start writing, and get an outline going.

Psst…Your big idea and goal above can be part of your outlining process!

After many years of professional writing, placing my main points into bullets to start is a huge help. You can think of them as headlines for your writing, guiding you along the way. If you have any specific notes, links, or other thoughts to include, now is the time to throw those ideas in before you forget!

This next tip is more for longer articles and blogs. So, if it helps, go ahead and write a quick introduction and conclusion including your objective and end goal, even if they aren’t perfectly written the first time around. This will make it easier as you write to remember what you should be writing about. Also, it ensures that the entire piece has a good flow from start to finish.

Need help getting started? Add a cup of FocusCopy to your writing.

4. Use The Pomodoro Technique

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique?

It’s a way to manage the time you have so you can get the most quality work done. It breaks up your time into 25-minute intervals and 5-minute breaks. These sections are called pomodoros. As soon as you’ve worked for about 4 or 5 of these intervals, you can take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes.

I love using Flow for Mac because instead of thinking about how much time I don’t have, it forces me to work within the time I do have. It’s a much less stressful way of looking at my day ahead. And it’s not just for writers! You can use it for practically whatever you need to get the job done. It’s also a pretty amazing tool to use if you burn out quickly performing one task at a time…cough any parents with kids who hate studying? Give Flow a try.

5. Move Your Body Away From The Computer

This tip on how to overcome writer’s block may sound counterintuitive. But looking at a blank page and worrying about what you’re going to write can cause more stress than necessary. It’s okay to do something else to get your mind working for 5 to 10 minutes.

You can:

Go for a short walk outside
Stretch in the comfort of your home
Breathe long and slow for a few minutes
Declutter and clean your desk off with a sanitized wipe (a personal favorite)

Moving away from the computer has a ton of benefits, which leads us to our next tip.

6. Put Pen To Paper (Instead Of Using The Keyboard)

I know, I know, you love your laptop and you’d rather die than let it out of your sight. Trust me! I get it.

But there is something to be said for taking a reliable, smooth pen to a crisp clean piece of paper. In fact, it’s proven that writing strengthens your brain activity more than typing on a computer. You’re even more likely to remember key pieces of information later on. This tip is great for those who have memory or learning differences like dyslexia or attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Want to make this hack a little more fun?

Grab some fun notebooks (no one will judge you for choosing a Batman cover) and stock up on your favorite pens – these thin gel pens from Sharpie will be the most ~~stolen~~ borrowed pens in your collection.

7. Clean Up Your Desktop

You know who you are here…If you have notes or files you don’t need from one or more years ago, I’m talking to you!

Actually cleaning your work area is one thing. But getting rid of the extra icons, pictures, and apps on your computer can also help. There’s nothing physical that you’re removing, but clearing up your desktop can feel just as rewarding. Before insisting you need everything, take a quick look and see if there are 3 items you can get rid of completely.

8. Put On White Noise Or Instrumental Music

Many people have trouble concentrating when there are other noises around. This can be the coworker humming to your left, the tapping of your own keyboard, or someone having a loud phone call an office or two away. Complete silence alone can make you feel like you’re going crazy. You’re not wrong to feel this way. If you are bothered by other noises or silence, you can use white noise or music to drown out the distraction.

You can buy noise canceling headphones, tune into your favorite playlist, or tell home devices like Alexa that you want it to play white noise for you. If you prefer a natural source for white noise, turn on a fan or the AC, use a small space heater for a low hum, or rely on an air purifier to run while you think.

How To Overcome Writer’s Block While Saving Time & Money

You can practice most of these tips in 10 minutes or less. However, if time isn’t on your side and you need quality writing solutions fast, FocusCopy is the extra boost you need. We use a refined process to overcome writer’s block and get your copy on target and on time. Contact us to find an affordable writing solution for your business, and never worry about writer’s block again.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

difference between copyright and copywriting

What’s The Difference Between Copyright & Copywriting?

Copywriting / By Lauren Jefferson / August 1, 2022 April 27, 2023

In-person conversations about what we do often lead to a subplot about the difference between copywriting and copyright. And no, it’s not annoying…despite how many times our parents ask about copyright law…

But there is a big difference between copywriting and copyright law. For starters, one is a term for writing copy. In our case, writing high-converting copy for female entrepreneurs who don’t have the time to write, or in some cases, just hate writing.

And the latter is a legal term about authorship and intellectual property.

Do the two ever become intertwined in real life, aside from sounding exactly the same? Sure. But that’s beside the point…for now.

Need to zero in on your brand messaging to reach your ideal clients and grow your business? Get in touch with FocusCopy today!

What Is Copyright?

Whether you’re a movie buff, avid reader, fine art aficionado, or are always listening to music, you may have seen your favorite artist in the news at some point over copyright litigation.

That’s because copyright is a type of protection for original works of intellectual property. This can include lyrics, phrases, music samplings, paintings, software, architecture, and so much more.

This may have millennials reminiscing about Vanilla Ice differentiating the Ice, Ice, Baby bass line from David Bowie and Queen’s Under Pressure. Even Houston’s hometown star Lizzo has been in the news over writing credits for her breakout song Truth Hurts.

Is Copyright The Same As Patents & Trademarks?

Nope! While all three offer protections, they are not the same. In fact, an inventor or scientist may file for a patent to protect their inventions or discoveries. While a trademark protects words, symbols, or designs that identify and distinguish their goods and services. For instance, you wouldn’t want a competing business within the same industry to use your business name and logo, right? But if it’s an entirely irrelevant business, then it might not matter so much.

At What Point Is Intellectual Property Protected?

According to copyright.gov, “Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.”

However, if you want to bring a copyright issue to court, then you must register your work. Whether that be a piece of fine art, your latest freestyle, or even your innovative building design – it’s never a bad idea to talk to a copyright lawyer.

What Is Copywriting?

Ahhh…I’m glad you asked!

In its most basic definition, copywriting is the act of writing materials to encourage a reader to take action. This can include:

Attending an event
Making a purchase
Signing up for a service
Donating to a worthy cause
Liking and sharing a social media post

I’m pretty sure every generation can find examples of copywriting they’ve read that led them to take action.

Most of what you read online these days is copywriting. I’m talking webpages, email newsletters, blogs, and those landing pages that pop up encouraging you to share your email address in exchange for something you want. Out there in the world, some copywriter (with a dog or cat at their feet) wrote those words in a strategic fashion to encourage you, the reader, to make a move.

You may be thinking, Why would I hire someone to write? I know how to write!

We don’t doubt that!

But ask yourself,

Do you really have the time?

And if so, where’s all the writing you’ve been producing?

Is it reaching your target audience effectively?

Are you seeing results in your business?

Or is it falling flat?

As professional copywriters, we do a ton of research and have even more processes. We strive to raise your Google ranking to be at the top of the page when someone searches for the products or services you offer. And to do that, we have to keep up with Google’s constantly changing algorithm, get into your voice so that not even your spouse or neighbor would know the difference, write effectively, and so much more.

At the writing of this blog, we’ve just signed our 90th brand as we gear up to celebrate FocusCopy’s 3rd anniversary. Let’s grab coffee and see how we can help your business.

The Big Difference Between Copyright & Copywriting

One is a legal term and the other is a marketing and sales resource. However, I’d have to say the biggest difference is that copywriting produces words that you may want protected through copyright law.

As mentioned above, copywriting can be copyrighted. But unless an attorney, The U.S. Copyright Office, or someone else who can benefit from us writing about copyright can benefit, it’s unlikely you’ll see us copywrite about copyright. Except, obviously, right now.

If you want to ensure your tangible form of expression is protected, then you should speak to a copyright, intellectual property, or business attorney. Trust us, through our research – we’ve come across a ton of examples of copyright infringement.

Whereas if you need a copywriter to help you write your copy, then look no further! Through our processes, we hone in on each client’s individual voice. We learn the tones, phrases they like, phrases they hate, their goals, their vision, their mission, and so much more. The results are happy clients who are able to publish meaningful copy that truly helps their businesses reach a larger target audience.

Want Meaningful Copy To Caffeinate Your Brand Messaging?

FocusCopy takes the writing tasks off your plate so you can focus on growing your business. Whether you just can’t find the time, hate writing, don’t feel confident in your writing, or something else – we can help.

In just under 3 years, we’ve helped 90 business owners (and counting) publish clear and focused copy to elevate their messaging and grow their businesses. Our ever evolving processes give us the tools to document your brand voice and write so that not even your mom will raise an eyebrow. Whether you need a helping hand or want the writing completely off your to-do list, we’re here to be your strategic partner. Schedule a discovery call today and learn what we can do for your business!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

5 Credibility Factors To Include On Your Website To Win Your Next Client

Marketing / By Lauren Jefferson / July 21, 2022 July 21, 2022

Just about anyone can be anything these days.

With online courses and straight ambition to get it done, you don’t need a college degree to be whatever you want to be (except for some more professional roles).

While that is freeing and amazing in our opinion, it also means that there’s a lot of people who say they can do it BUT they aren’t necessarily the best to do it.

That’s why it’s more critical for you to establish your credibility online than ever before. We call those the credibility factors.

What Is A Credibility Factor?

Credibility is “a measure of how believable and trustworthy your marketing is perceived to be” (Unbounce). When you present credibility to your audience, you are helping them hedge their risk in engaging with you. And there are several ways you can accomplish that on your website – the credibility factors – which we’ll cover in this blog.

Schedule a discovery call today to learn how FocusCopy can integrate credibility factors into your business.

Why Include Credibility Factors On Your Website

With Nigerian princes and long lost cousins, it’s reasonable to understand why so many people are skeptical. As a business owner, you need to be able to effectively communicate to a stranger what you do and why you are the person or company to hire. And you do that through either certifications or social proof – two of the most popular credibility factors.

Here are a couple reasons why you need to include these factors on your website:

You are a safe entity to do business with
You are equipped to do the work with efficiency and quality
Other people have trusted you
You are reliable
You are recognized publicly

Where Should You Put Credibility Factors On Your Website

Depending on your style of website, there are several places that you can place your credibility factors on your website. Those include:

Directly underneath the hero banner (first section of the page)
After a call to action
Before the final call to action
Where you need a transition

5 Credibility Factors To Include On Your Website

Don’t know where to start? Here are 5 credibility factors to include on your website. You by no means need to include all of these. But try to include at least one factor on each page of your website.

1. Trusted By

If you have been listed as a preferred provider for a well known company or entity, include those logos. When you associate your business with other well known organizations, it communicates to your audience that you took the time to get certified, have good relationships with other providers, and do good work.

2. Credentials

If you have been certified by an authority or certifying organization, include those seals. In addition, you can also include any awards or recognitions that you’ve received.

If you are a newer business and don’t have any of the following factors, this is a great one to include.

3. Social Proof

People do business with people they know, like, and trust. But how do you get them to know, like, or trust you when you’re a complete stranger? You prove to them that you are worthy of them knowing, liking, and trusting you. And you do that by providing social proof.

There are three primary ways that you can display your social proof.

Testimonials

Testimonials or reviews are our favorite ways to display social proof. Even more so than that, you can actually use your customers’ words in your overall marketing. They don’t tell you to speak your customers’ language for nothing.

If you don’t have testimonials, ask for them. Here are a couple of ways we’ve collected reviews:

Collect feedback at the end of a project, type up the review, and send them an email with the review and platform links
Send an email campaign to get reviews
Call them up and ask for it directly
Offer them a spotlight on your email newsletter or social media platforms in exchange for a testimonial

Case Studies

What better way to prove you can solve a problem than to show how you’ve solved a similar problem before?

Write a brief summary of an issue a customer encountered and how your business provided a solution with positive results. Make sure to drop keywords of the services provided, how your existing processes made it simple, and why your business is always willing to go the extra mile.

Need help summarizing your case studies into meaningful and converting copy? Schedule a discovery call today!

Connections

As an introvert, I’m really good one on one. In group settings, I am the least effective connector. That’s why I often go to networking events with at least 3-5 people beside me. But I learned that even though I did all the work and connected with over 1,200 people over two years, my cold audience had no clue.

So I had to build in marketing that literally proved that I was well connected. This could look like listing my strategic partners, telling client stories, tagging clients and partners on social media, and placing client logos on the site.

4. Press Mentions

If you’ve been mentioned in the press, been a guest on a podcast, or shown up publicly as an authority figure, then yell it from the rooftops. This credibility factor is often shown as the “as seen on” sections. You know the ones with the Good Morning America, Forbes, and Entrepreneur logos.

5. Warranties Or Guarantees

You heard what I said at the beginning of this blog…Credibility hedges risk. When you offer a warranty or guarantee, it also hedges any risk that might come from someone investing in your business.

Need To Spruce Up Your Website Copy?

Your website can be your greatest asset. That’s if it conveys your products, services, solutions, and credibility. But we know that running your business doesn’t leave you with much time to master the art of website copy. That’s where FocusCopy comes in.

We’ve worked with over 80 brands from 4 different countries to take the writing off of entrepreneurs’ and business owners’ plates. Stop thinking about what your website can do for you and start experiencing it. Contact FocusCopy today and get excited to proudly share your caffeinated copy.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

Why Your Out Of Office Notifications Need Sprucing

Entrepreneurship / By Lauren Jefferson / July 20, 2022 April 3, 2023

It’s vacation time…

But that doesn’t mean you need to get lazy on your out of office emails.

In fact, this is an opportunity for you to spruce up your copy and see some real traction.

So where did this conversation come from?

Greg: The Originator Of Original OOO Emails

My good friend, Greg Melon, didn’t appreciate boring OOO emails. In fact, he loathed them. Instead of putting very little effort into those notifications, he spent a little more time on them.

The results…

He grew a following just to see what he came up with. He actually posted the emails on Instagram because his followers demanded it.

Prospects would intentionally email him to get the response OR they would be that more interested in working with him after they received the OOO notification.

Wishing for copy that will catch your target audience’s attention for all the right reasons? Schedule a discovery call to learn how we can help you.

2 Reasons Your Out Of Office Notifications Need Sprucing

Why not set up regular out of office notifications?

The better question is…Do you want to stand out from the crowd?

There are 2 reasons why your out of office notifications need sprucing today:

Make your notifications work while you’re out of the office (see below for what you need to include to make this happen).
Bolster existing relationships with your recipients by expressing something personal.

What You Need To Include In Your Out of Office Emails

There are several things that you need to include in your out of office email notifications to really stand out among the crowd.

Unique subject lines. Don’t neglect this part of the email notifications. You can easily convert a prospect into a client if you get them to open up your email.
Share a story. What really sets you apart from the rest is sharing a story. Are you going to enjoy spending time with your spouse on a remote island? Or dragging your kids through Disney World? Share a quick quip about that story. (Be aware that complete strangers will receive this email so don’t reveal too much personal information.)
Set expectations on your response time. Expectations are everything. When can they expect your response? If you don’t think you’ll be able to respond immediately when you’re back in the office, mention that you’ll start responding to missed emails on a particular date.
Indicate who they can contact in the meantime. If there is someone else on your team who can handle communications, then let your OOO recipients know. Take it up a notch if new clients and existing clients should be contacting different emails for help, questions, or to sign up for your services.
Call your readers to some action. Last but not least, get your recipients to do something. That could be to read a blog, download a free resource, or schedule a call with you. Whatever it is, make the call to action enticing.

Pack a caffeinated punch into your out of office notifications (and all your copy) with the FocusCopy team. Contact us to learn more.

Our Favorite OOO Emails

Keep in mind, these are copied directly from OOO notifications. Some, but not all of them were written by me or the FocusCopy team. And, of course, we included some of our favorite Greg emails!

New Year

Greg and the Covert team are working limited hours over the holiday season for a well-deserved break, and will resume normal hours on Monday. Email contact during this time may be irregular or nonexistent.

When he gets back, he will be swamped by the backlog. Try to forgive him – he is a mere human, and thus, weak.

This message was NOT sent by a human, but by a robot. We robots are neither weak nor fallible. We are tireless and will one day rule the Universe.

Best,

Greg’s Email Bot

Fourth of July

Fore score and 246 years ago, America declared independence.

And today, I’m declaring independence from the office. In fact, the entire office is closed for today.

I will not be responding to any emails or texts until July 5th, so please expect a delayed response.

Happy Independence Day!

Election Day

Thanks for your email. Our offices are closed for Election Day, because democracy.

Our normal operations will resume on Wednesday, November 4th. If this creates a problem for you…then too bad.

Thanksgiving 1

Thanks for your email. I’ll be out of the office from Tuesday through Sunday on a turkey-induced vision quest in the California desert.

I will be checking email intermittently, but if an urgent issue comes up, please contact my Spirit Animal. Or if you cannot locate a qualified Shaman to do so, please send a smoke signal. I will look to the East at dawn for any news.

Thanksgiving 2

Oh hey, it’s Thanksgiving. What are you doing emailing me?

I’m extremely busy attempting to break the world record for the most deep fried turkey fires. I might stop at 10. I also might not.

Once I return, I will reply to all emails at a pace that I’m comfortable with. This will most likely be a pace that you’re not comfortable with.

Happy Honda Days!

Christmas

Here’s the thing: if Santa knows when kids are naughty or nice, then he knew Rudolph was being bullied.

I can no longer remain silent in light of this injustice. I’ll be standing on my roof full-time until Christmas in order to confront Santa on his behavior when he arrives.

As you can imagine, this righteous pursuit of justice will take me away from work for quite some time. More specifically, our office is closed until December 26th. The following week, we’ll be closing each day at 12pm CT, because reasons.

Ho Ho Ho

Out For My Wedding

Thank you so much for your email! I am getting married (cue my happy dance! ?) and will be out of the office, offline, unplugged, and not able to return your email until I’m back online on Thursday, May 19th.

To ensure our responsiveness to your email, please email the following designated email addresses.

name@yourcompany.com

Have a great day!

Vacation

Thanks for your email. I love it already.

I have both good and bad news for you. The bad news is that I’m on vacation. The good news is that I’m on vacation. But never fear, I’ll return to the office on Wednesday.

Before leaving, I promised my wife that I’d try to disconnect, get away, and enjoy this vacation as much as possible.

“But Greg, you don’t even have a wife.”

That’s besides the point.

If you need immediate assistance, contact my assistant. Otherwise, I’ll respond when I return. Probably. Maybe.

Family Emergency

Thank you for your email. I have had a family matter that requires my attention over the next couple of days. Then regular rules apply. Since three-day weekends are for suckers, we have decided to uphold Fridays as a holiday. I mean somewhere in this great world, every Friday is a holiday, a birthday, and in every case, a new day.

I will respond to your email on the following Monday.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Sick

No, it’s not a bubonic plague. But it kinda feels that way. I’m out of the office today resting and recovering my health so I can produce more effective copy for our clients. Please email name@yourcompany.com if there is anything urgent.

Stay safe and healthy!

Birthday

Happy birthday to me! It’s my birthday today, and company policy says that I get the day off. If you need to reach me, I’ll be able to respond tomorrow or the nearest business day. In the meantime, you can contact name@yourcompany.com.

Eating lots of cake,

Your Name

Ready To Caffeinate Your Copy?

The FocusCopy team will give your copy the buzz your business needs – including out of office templates, webinar scripts, SEO boosting blogs, email newsletters, and so much more.

Whether you’re at a loss for what to write, just can’t find the time, or need a little guidance, we’re here to help. Schedule a discovery call today!

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

Build Your Call To Action Swipe File To Write High-Converting Copy

Copywriting / By Lauren Jefferson / July 19, 2022 July 21, 2022

Do you ever sit down to write your business copy and have no idea where to start?

Everyone gets writer’s block, but how are we supposed to overcome it?

Instead of putting off writing for your business again, do what the professional copywriters do…Open up your call to action swipe file.

What’s a swipe file? It’s a collection of excellent copywriting you can use to gain inspiration. But what it is not is the license to duplicate the copy as your own. We don’t like plagiarizers (and it doesn’t look good to your target audience either).

Why You Need A Swipe File For Your Website Copy

So why do you need a swipe file for your website copy? Apart from giving you ideas when you have no clue what to write, a swipe file gives you a starting point to think differently about your copy. Its intended purpose is to inspire or give an idea on what to do. Before we reveal our call to action swipe file, what is a call to action?

What Is A Call To Action?

It is what it sounds like. You are calling your intended audience – usually your target customer – to take a specific action. That action does not have to be a buying one.

Remember, there are a lot of steps that happen in the customer journey to convert a complete stranger into a raving fan. Not all of those require a monetary transaction.

Need more than inspiration and ready to grab hold of helping copywriting hand? Schedule a discovery call today!

Your Call To Action Swipe File For Your Website Copy

To help you out, we’ve added a variety of B2B and B2C examples from various industries. When building out your own swipe file, don’t be afraid to go outside of your industry or competition. Sometimes, the most obscure sites may actually spark a brilliant copy concept.

Subscribe Call To Actions

The money isn’t in your social media. It’s in your email list. Here are a couple of our favorite subscribe call to actions.

What we love about this call to action is the ability to tie in what they do – sell sheets and mattresses – with the copy. It’s unique, yet indicates that their email newsletter isn’t some boring newsletter. Nobody wants to clutter their inbox.

Don’t underestimate the value of pop-ups! But definitely use them sparingly if you want to protect your user experience. This call to action is a favorite because it uses a little social proof to encourage people to subscribe to their blog.

Want to provide some up front value before engaging in a more sales type conversation? Sending them to a sign up or download action is a perfect way to increase your buy-in.

This call to action has everything. It identifies the audience as overwhelmed entrepreneurs and business owners. It sets the expectation that for 5 days, you’ll get 20+ hours of free time back. And it gets people to sign up for the waitlist. We love waitlists because they are great ways to build your email subscriber base.

DigitalMarketer offers workshops, courses, and certifications for marketers and entrepreneurs. Because marketing is one of those things that is confusing (as there is no quick formula for success), they offer a blueprint. The headline is straightforward. The subhead is effective. But even more so, we love how they include both a “How It Works” and a “Download” button.

Read Blog Call To Actions

Blogs are fantastic ways to increase your SEO. But they can also be used to engage with your target audience, to show them you know your stuff, and to build some credibility. But how do you get them to read your blog?

Amy Porterfield’s content strategy primarily relies on her podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy. As such, she’s divided out her episodes into several categories based on where her target audience is in their businesses. Instead of forcing her audience to sort through the topics themselves, she’s made it easy (pun intended).

Reach your target audience with effective copy that really converts. Contact us today to learn more.

The social proof and variety of content available really bolsters the click through rates. The headline alone proves that the content they are producing isn’t just from theory or a quick Google search. It’s proven through the businesses that they work with.

Try For Free Call To Actions

Free trials help to reduce the fear of making a bad decision. It allows the customer to see the value without experiencing the risk of losing money. Here are a couple of “try for free” examples we love.

Once upon a time, the only way you could access music (without being told what to listen to) was through CDs or cassette tapes. With streaming services, the big question became: what’s the value in this? To get over the hurdle, Spotify doesn’t simply place music in the entertainment category. They equate it to living life. The word “everything” suddenly makes the opportunity for a free trial that more valuable.

Not only is ClickFunnels addressing the problem they solve (converting customers), they also add in an entire section of social proof directly underneath without it being an entirely separate segment.

In three words, Hubspot is able to effectively communicate that their CRM has the power small business owners need to run their businesses without feeling overwhelmed. This is a great example of the power behind using fewer words.

Get Started Call To Actions

Depending on your business, it may be ideal to sell a “starter” package to give the customer a sample of what to expect. This is typically used for those investment type products or services. For example, you could sell a starter kit that includes a variety of samples or a segment of your larger service.

For new buyers, Harry’s presents this starter offer as a special gift. There are a couple elements that are really attractive:

Apparent discount
Low risk with free shipping
Samples for everything a customer needs to evaluate the product
Freedom to choose color
Easy process flow to access offer

Learn More Call To Actions

You may need to send your audience to explore different areas throughout your website. This is especially important if you have a complicated product, process, or have a page that dives deeper into a specific feature.

The imagery and the headline does it for us at first glance. But what’s more than that is that they direct their audience to either explore their different mattresses and to compare their mattresses against competitors. If you know anything about mattresses, there couldn’t be a more confusing product as there is no standardization.

We’re big fans of Keap anyways since we run our business using it. But what I love about their home page is that they have many, many, many features that are transformed into benefits. Then they have specific pages that dive deeper into those benefits (hence the “learn more”).

Call Now Or Schedule Call To Actions

In the case that your business is more consultative, these types of call to actions are ideal for your business.

The simplicity of this is what really sets this one apart. There is no play on words or entertaining copy. However, an identification of who they want, what they can get, and what to do. You do not have to over complicate your copy to be effective.

Quiz Call To Actions

Instead of sending them to a download resource page, quizzes are fun and engaging ways to get your customer to stay on your site.

What we love about this call to action is that it’s taking what can often be a confusing topic (there are almost too many options) and simplifies it into a pathway. The goal here is clear and simple.

Where To Find Inspiration

If you need to find inspiration, there are several ways for you to create a swipe file:

Use an already existing swipe file. Sites such as SwipeFile.com make it really easy to sort through what you’re looking for.
Use one location to store your screenshots. If there are great CTAs, we upload them into an organized folder system on Google Drive or put it on a dedicated Slack channel.
Create a framework or template for different types of copy. Don’t want to store screenshots? Create a document or spreadsheet with headline and/or call to action templates or formulas.

Need Help Creating Call To Actions Or Ready To Hand It Over To The Pros?

FocusCopy takes the pressure off entrepreneurs’ and business owners’ already heavy shoulders. We write converting copy (headlines, call to actions, and all!) that gets your message across to the right audience.

Even better, we write in your voice. Meaning not even your mom or best friend will realize you’ve outsourced your writing.

If you’re ready to stop staring at a blank screen and finally work with professional writers who know effective call to actions (and so much more), then schedule a discovery call today.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

common website mistakes business owners make

3 Common Mistakes Business Owners Make When Launching Their Website

Marketing / By Lauren Jefferson / July 15, 2022 July 21, 2022

Small business owners will spend between $2,000 and $10,000 to build a new website.

Many business owners understand it takes a little time to pick up traffic, but what if you don’t see any improvement?

You’re getting no new leads, no phone calls, nothing is in your inbox, and you’re starting to get worried.

You’ve just spent a lot of time and money to get your new website up and running.

What now?

Don’t panic! Take a step back and reevaluate your website to see if you’re making one of the 3 common mistakes business owners make when launching their website.

Is your website not conveying the right message? Let’s talk!

Top 3 Most Common Digital Marketing Mistakes Business Owners Make Before A Website Launch

It’s easy to get caught up in the design of your website and pay less attention to its content. But your website’s content is much more than simply talking about your company and its services or products.

Yes, you want to ensure that your website is free of spelling and grammatical errors. However, if you’re doing any of the following things, they could be turning potential customers away.

Mistake #1: There’s More Focus On The Design Than The Words

As mentioned above, a website’s design can easily take center stage as you’re moving through your website’s development. And you’re not completely wrong to focus on it! But according to research by the Nielsen Norman Group, most internet users only skim or scan a webpage – which means you have a limited amount of time and text to get your message across with clarity.

Headlines, subheadings, bullet points, and call-to-action buttons (CTAs) are what your audience is looking for when browsing your site. They may notice a cool feature or two, but they won’t be nearly as interested in your website’s design as you are. If your website doesn’t understand what you do and how you can help them immediately, then they’re much more likely to move on to another website.

Be sure you use powerful copy to explain how you better serve your potential customers. Try not to be too wordy and make your process easy to follow. For example, when explaining how you like to do business together, break it down into 3 steps like:

1. Get In Touch!

Give us a call at 123.456.7890 to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.

2. Evaluate Your Needs

We’ll discuss which services are right for you, your desired timeline, and pricing.

3. Let’s Shake On It

As soon as we receive your deposit, we’ll get started right away!

There’s no need to give up all of your strategies right away. Let your audience reach out to you with a few simple steps.

Do you have a killer design with uncoordinated copy? FocusCopy fixes misaligned content.

Mistake #2: Business Owners Forget Who The Website Is For

Take a look at your website. Is there a ton of “we” language? This type of language typically includes words and phrases that keep the message company-focused rather than customer-focused.

Some company-focused copy is okay. But don’t go overboard.

Your website isn’t really about you, remember?

You already know who you are! Your website’s job is to explain your company to others and how you make their lives easier or better.

If users can’t make a connection to your message or quickly find information on your product or service benefits, then they’ll move on. It’s nice to feature your years of experience, certifications, volunteer experience, and so on. But keep in mind that the only information they truly need is what you’re offering and how it helps them.

A few items you should consider adding to your copy:

Customer pain points
Customer benefits
Special offerings
Limited-time deals or pricing
Engaging CTAs
Contact information
FAQs

All of these are a great way to convey the value your company has while offering easy-to-find contact information for when they’re ready to move forward.

Make that offering loud and clear, and cut out anything that simply fills the space.

Mistake #3: There’s No Celebration Of The Launch

Did you perform a soft launch without letting your customers know about your new website?

Yikes!

You’ve invested time and money in your new website.

Shouldn’t the people you care about see it?

One of the best ways to launch your new website is to create an email campaign to build up the excitement for its launch. At the very least, your new website will be on the minds of your customers if they’ve skimmed through an announcement email or two.

Don’t forget to throw some confetti for yourself, too. You’ve done an amazing job advancing your business’s growth with fresh digital marketing. It’s no small feat, and you should give yourself and your team a huge pat on the back. You can:

Host a countdown pizza party
Make t-shirts
Congratulate your team for all of their hard work
Share your excitement on social media

Doing any or all of these will let your customers know that enhancing their experience is important to you – no one can argue with that!

Want To Launch Your Website This Year?

You have an amazing design already, but you aren’t completely sure your copy is where you want it to be.

Don’t slow your momentum now. You’re onto something incredible. We can feel it! It’s time to put that plan in motion with a website that will convert your audience into paying customers.

Our content remains customer-focused because we continue to ask one of our favorite questions of all time…Who cares? If there isn’t a clear answer to our writing, it’s time to rework what’s written.

We’ll use ourselves as an example…

Why Does FocusCopy exist? ⟶ To write for small and medium-sized businesses

Why does it matter? ⟶ Because business owners hate writing, don’t have time to write, and/or don’t know how to write for their business

So what? ⟶ We are an affordable and efficient solution when you need a professional copywriter for your business

Does the idea of writing your own website copy leave you feeling…a little queasy?

Talk to the team at FocusCopy and avoid these and other common website mistakes business owners make.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words

Top Problems Website Designers Experience

Website Designers: There’s A Better Way For Copy

Copywriting, Entrepreneurship / By Lauren Jefferson / July 12, 2022 July 21, 2022

You didn’t become a website designer to…

Write copy.

Analyze word choice.

Get words out of your client’s mouths.

Wait on copy.

No. You became a website designer to bring an idea to life and generate a platform for businesses to grow.

After talking to dozens of website designers and developers across the United States, we’ve learned they all struggle with one thing. And that one thing can tank a project’s success or delay project timelines.

So before we reveal the big struggle, what are the top problems website designers face?

Options For Website Designers To Avoid Their Copy Problems

Now, we know the top problems website designers experience. But what are the options for website designers to avoid their copy problems?

Ask The Right Questions

To find the best answers, you need to ask the right questions. Here are a couple of questions to assess whether the client can provide the copy or whether you need to enforce they use your copywriting skills (hopefully, provided by FocusCopy).

As for your website copy, are you writing your own copy, or are you hiring a professional copywriter?
What does success look like for this website?
Do you want to create meaningful engagement with your target audience on your website?
How much time can you commit in [insert timeframe you want to copy] to write, edit, and deliver your copy to us?

Stand By Your Timelines

If you’ve included it in your contracts, enforce your timelines. One thing we’ve seen help many website designers and marketers is to put into place a revision or feedback period. This not only makes this website project your client’s priority, but it allows you to better plan your resources.

Find A Solution For Website Copy

Usually, investing in a website redesign and redevelopment is a big deal for companies. Emphasize that you wouldn’t make a big investment without actually doing it right. We have created a couple of options to help you improve your service offerings.

Send Website Copy Templates

A blank page is your worst enemy. We’ve created a whole host of website copy templates that you can download directly from our website to help your clients fill out their copy.

Click here to access (go to resources page).

Make Copy Completed By Professional Writers A Requirement For Your Clients

Another way to avoid the copy situation altogether is to require it as part of your website package. If you don’t have a copywriter on your team to supply the copy, you can partner with a company like FocusCopy to outsource the copy development.

Interested in chatting with us? Schedule a call with us today to explore a potential partnership.

Partner With The Website Copywriting Experts

As a preferred partner for website designers all across the nation, we work closely with your process to add value to your clients and streamline the most frustrating part of the design process – the copy.