Credibility

business growth

How A Copywriter Boosts Your Business Growth

Does owning, operating, and growing your small business ever feel like a whole lot more than what you signed on for?

As a fellow female entrepreneur and small business owner, I can 100% relate! 

Plus, FocusCopy has worked with over 90 different brands across 4 countries. So I see firsthand how other business owners experience this, too. 

But did you know you can outsource a big chunk of your to-do list to a copywriter?

This is a professional who will take your ideas and strategically implement them into your marketing – which means you can get your much needed sleep with one less to-do keeping you up at night.

Plus, an experienced copywriter can boost business growth with converting copy that will help your brand messaging get noticed by the right people.

6 Ways High-Quality Converting Copy Can Take Your Business To The Next Level

For you to see meaningful business growth, your target audience needs a few things from your first. From knowing you exist to trusting that you’ll meet (or exceed) expectations, it’s all critical. And it all ties into your copy’s brand messaging. 

Boost your business growth with expert copywriting in your cup. Reach out today and book your discovery call. 

1. Allows You To Focus On What You Do Best – Running Your Business!

Do you know who understands your industry, business, and brand best? 

Pssst…it’s you!

That’s why your focus should always be on doing what you do best. And that is running your business!

When business owners get caught up in tasks they’re not confident in or don’t enjoy (like writing), time seems to slow down. Just a few minutes feels like an hour. You can’t seem to turn what’s in your head into digestible copy that you feel comfortable putting out into the world. Then, when you finally decide to push the writing aside, you’re too flustered to continue through your to-do list. 

Hand off the copywriting tasks to the experts and focus on your strengths while we focus on ours. 

2. Identifies Your Target Audience & Their Pain Points

Copywriters do more than write about your brand. We dig into the details with research. This allows us to learn who your target audience is and what they want from your business. 

Good copy offers a solution to your reader’s problems at a personal level. When they see that you can make their lives easier, they notice!

This is why at FocusCopy, we strategically craft copy that speaks to your customers’ needs. To do this, we emotionally connect with your readers.

This requires a special skillset of getting to know your customers and how to relate to them. For instance, did you know the right use of power words and persuasion principles (like repetition) can help you convert readers into paying customers?  

We have a lot of writing tricks up our sleeves. Are they obvious if you don’t know what to look for? Nope. And that’s the point. Our carefully and strategically crafted copy reads easily and organically. 

3. Builds Your Brand’s Credibility

Sometimes, you can have all the right words and a prospective client is still too hesitant to work with you. It makes sense because if they don’t know you, why should they trust you?

This is why building credibility into your website is so important. 

Whether you are a B2B or B2C company, your customers are at risk when investing their money in a new-to-them business. How do they know you’ll deliver what you promise? And how do they have confidence that your product or service is a worthwhile investment?

The FocusCopy team knows how to wager your credibility to put your readers’ minds at ease. Some of our favorite credibility factors include:

  • Brag about the well known entities that trust your business (but not in a tacky way!)
  • Show off your certifications and awards
  • Give the social proof that readers want with testimonials, case studies, and even some in-person networking action
  • Link your mentions in the press, the podcast episode you appeared on, and any instance you were publicly recognized as an authority figure in your industry
  • Offer a guarantee or warranty to hedge any risk that prospects may feel

However, there is a science behind establishing credibility. You want to keep it customer-focused. Because news flash…readers don’t care about you. They care about what you can do for them. 

4. Keeps Your Brand Messaging Consistent

Want to know the easiest way to confuse and turn off prospective customers? It’s easy. Infiltrate your brand messaging with inconsistent copy. 

It’s no coincidence the word focus is in our name. After all, we have loads of processes that ensure the copy we write is clear and focused on the objective. And with our clients, that means writing copy that will convert readers into paying customers. 

One of our favorite processes is our brand voice guide. We’ve developed a questionnaire that allows us to zero in on a client’s tone, emotion, and overall voice. And this also gets deep into the details of each client’s ideal customers. Because, again – it’s not about you. It’s about finding and converting the people that want to work with you. 

5. Helps Your Ideal Customers Find You

Customers have to know you exist before they can even consider working with you. 

Word of mouth speaks highly of your business in social circles. But you wouldn’t be brainstorming marketing ideas or even reading this blog if you were content with your current number of customers. To be successful, you have to break out of that circle and share your products and services with the world.

One of the best ways to do that is through search engine optimization (SEO). However, effective SEO requires continuous research to keep up with Google’s never-ending algorithm. 

You are busy running your business, so dedicating time to learning SEO and keeping up with its constant changes isn’t something you want to add to your to-do list. That’s where FocusCopy comes in!

We strategically place effective keywords into our copy to help our clients’ websites appear higher in the search engine results. Don’t you want your business to be the first to appear when someone searches for your product or service? Of course you do! Because you can’t count on your ideal customers to sift through pages of search results to find you. That’s why we make it easy.

6. Ensures Quality Copy That Will Actually Convert To Sales!

Did you have someone proofread your last social media post, email newsletter, blog, or website copy? 

More importantly, did the proofreader catch any glaring errors? 

Or did they respond with a sweet, “Looks great!”? 

While compliments are nice to receive, you need someone who will catch your writing errors and not be afraid to speak their voice. Otherwise, your ideal customers are going to be the ones who notice. And they’re not likely going to take the time to let you know. 

At FocusCopy, we are constantly evolving our processes and adding to our documentation. Each piece of copy is crafted with care and then sent on to another professional writer to edit with their fresh eyes and perspective. Nothing is sent out without at least two professional copywriters scouring the page. This allows us to produce quality copy every time. And with that consistency, we are able to raise our client’s Google ranking and convert their readers into paying customers. 

Boost Business Growth With FocusCopy On Your Side

Do you know your brand messaging needs help but don’t know where to start? 

We’ve got you covered. 

Whether you enjoy or loathe writing, we can help you craft the perfect message and get it to the people looking for your solutions. FocusCopy offers done with you and done for you services. We even have an awesome course to guide you through writing your own website! 

Ready to give your business the buzz it needs? We’re here to help. Get in touch and let’s talk about how we support your business growth with quality copy.

Focus Your Copy On Conversation & Conversion

Let’s Grab A Virtual Coffee With Us To Discover How To Boost Your Words
Credibility Factors To Include On Your Website

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

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. 

Credibility Factors To Include On Your Website

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
Credibility Factors To Include On Your Website

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
comprehensive business homepage

What Critical Components Your Comprehensive Business Homepage Needs

You’ve got a ton of ideas, the keyboard is ready to go, and you’re (finally) in the mood to start writing a comprehensive business homepage. There’s just one problem…

Where do you begin?

You’re not really a professional copywriter, graphic designer, or web developer. And you’re not sure what’s supposed to be on a homepage. But do you truly need to have any of those skills to write a comprehensive business homepage?

No! As long as you include a few key elements, you can easily write one that boosts your business.

It can feel overwhelming looking at a blank page – not knowing where to start. It’s normal to feel this way, and you’re not alone. However, we also realize it’s exciting and leaves you tingly with emotions when you think about your own business.

Consider how far you’ve come, where you’re going, and how much you’ve grown. And then remember that you’re an amazing business owner, and you can do anything. Read on as we walk you through some of the essential elements of a successful homepage. 

Have more questions? Download our How To Answer The 6 Most Important Questions On Your Home Page Guide here.

9 Best Practices To Write A Comprehensive Business Homepage That Generates Revenue

If you’re completely stuck trying to find a solid layout for your website’s homepage, here are a few elements you should definitely include.

Spend The Most Time Creating Strong Headlines

We read all the time. It may not feel like it, but skimming articles, looking at ads, and even taking a quick peek at a gossip column counts as reading. But something a lot of us have in common is that we don’t typically read down to the final detail.

Okay, so we do. But we’re copywriters!

However, the average person scans rather than spends a ton of time reading. 

This being said, you’re going to need some strong headlines to pull your target audience in. Simultaneously, you’ll need to keep them engaged with the who, what, where, when, and why through headlines alone.

Make them catchy, short, clear, and keep them to the point.

Take a look at PandaDoc’s headlines – there’s a clear benefit (time savings) there. Your headline does not have to be complicated. Avoid overthinking it!

To access Pandadoc, use our affiliate link here.

Don’t Forget About Your Headline’s Sidekick: Subheads

Similar to a headline, subheadings should be descriptive enough to pull your audience in while remaining concise. A good way to think about subheadings is by looking at them as a reliable sidekick to your headlines. You want them to go with your headings and give additional support to someone who may just be skimming your page.

Subheadings are a great way to elaborate on your main subject. For example, if you have an impressive number of years of experience or a fantastic total sales amount, then consider putting it here.

Use A Primary Call To Action (CTA)

Having CTAs throughout your web pages is crucial. It’s especially important for your home page. CTAs are what prompt someone to stop reading and start buying.

What does a CTA look like? They look something like this:

  • Ready To Get Started? Register Now
  • Don’t Wait. Contact Us Today!
  • Call Now. We’re Available 24/7.
  • Shop Now

Pretty simple, right? Yet about 70% of small business B2B websites don’t have a CTA.

Have A Secondary Call To Action

If your business offers more than one opportunity for customers to connect, you may also want to include the secondary call to action. By doing so, they may not buy or contact you directly about your services, but they will at least engage in other ways.

A secondary CTA could look like this:

  • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
  • Sign Up For Texts & Get 15% Off
  • Visit Our YouTube Channel
  • Read Our Blog

While none of these actions require your audience to purchase anything, they all get them one step closer to doing so.

Tip: When you use a secondary call to action, ask the designer to make it a ghost button or a different color / outline. In the example below, you can see that ClickUp’s primary goal is to drive people to start a trial versus create a free account. The filled in button is primary. The ghost button is secondary.

To access ClickUp, use our affiliate link here.

Explain How Your Product Or Service Works

What is it that you do? Now, ask why your audience should care.

If you truly have something to offer your target audience, it should be easy for them to get started. If it’s not, break it down into pieces on your homepage that the average reader can understand.

Offer a step one through four, create a layout from start to finish, or guide them through the purchasing process with a visual asset like a photo or video. The reality is, if it doesn’t look easy, your audience is likely to turn elsewhere for what they need. 

Identify Who You Serve

Have you asked yourself who your target audience is? Define it. Clarify who purchases your products or services and think about them in other aspects of their lives.

If you already know your audience, ensure you’re using the voice that matches your branding. Straying away from this can hurt you rather than help you. Then, talk to your audience in a way that helps them relate to you. Ask questions and give solutions surrounding your business.

It’s all part of a formula that really works! Get more insight by downloading How To Answer The 6 Most Important Questions On Your Home Page Guide.

Showcase Your Credibility

You can compose a comprehensive business homepage by fleshing out the answer to, “Why your business?”

A few ways you can put this section together is by pointing out your:

  • Number of years in the business
  • Deals closed
  • Revenue to date
  • Rating on Google (or Yelp, Indeed, Facebook, etc.)

And finally, tell your story in a hard-hitting but genuine way. Maybe you want to help people be better versions of themselves. Perhaps you’d like to help get it all done for someone else. Or maybe you want to provide an amazing product you’ve spent years perfecting your craft on.

Whatever it is, answer the question, “Why your business?”

Hubspot

Incorporate Photos And Videos

If you’ve got them, flaunt them. Visual assets are a game-changer and can be an incredible way to show off your business. 

According to a study by Brain Rules, information presented without images is only retained about 10% of the time. When that same info is passed along with an image, 65% of the information is retained three days after the fact.

For videos, 70% of YouTube viewers turn to the popular platform for help or how-to videos, answering questions about their hobbies, jobs, or studies.

Bonus tip: Boost the download speed and make sure all photos and videos load quickly.

Don’t Forget About Your Navigation On Your Comprehensive Business Homepage

Another critical component of your homepage includes your navigation – better known as where to go when visiting your website. Without a navigation bar or banner, your website may come off as confusing, hard to follow, or worse…unusable. This could lead to users clicking out and visiting your competitor’s site for what they need instead.

It may take a little extra work, but believe us when we say having navigation on your homepage is essential.

Offer A Final Call To Action

At this point, you’ve answered the who, what, when, where, and why of your business model. You’ve sat down and typed out your story, reminisced on your experience, and reflected on your customer base. Now, it’s time to pull them in for one final hurrah (so to speak).

End with a question, short description, and a CTA that prompts them to choose you and your services.

An example of this would be, “Are you tired of feeling misled and lied to by the xyz industry? Give us a call today and see how we can save you time, money, and the headache of having to do it yourself. Call Now.

Kartra.com

There Is A Write Way To Create A Comprehensive Business Homepage

Your days are packed as a business owner. We completely understand, which is why we offer a number of copywriting services and resources for all types of businesses.

Don’t have the time? We do.

Don’t have the know-how? We’ve got you covered. 

The truth is, if your homepage isn’t well-written, you’re likely losing conversions. Don’t waste another minute of potential revenue, and download our free How To Answer The 6 Most Important Questions On Your Home Page Guide.

When Was The Last Time You Updated Your Home Page?

Answer these 6 questions and spruce up your home page in 15 minutes (or less).