How to Create Content That Leads To Sales (Part 3)
Posted By admin on December 23, 2011
Part 3 (continued from yesterday)
By Jimmy D. Brown, “Traffic F.U.E.L.”
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But, what about the other component? How do you “educate” them? Let’s take a look.
Content Component #2: Educate. Certainly writers of all shapes and sizes know that the essence of “educating” a reader is to explain the subject matter in a way that can be clearly understood. That’s a given, right?
And certainly there are many ways to do this effectively. There isn’t a standardized formula that all content must adhere to in order to get it right. However, I do believe that there are three basic parts that should be included in virtually every piece of content written as far as those involved in selling information.
* Action Steps. If someone is intent on learning a process, they want to know the necessary steps involved in completing it. For example: If I want to learn how bake a cake, I don’t want a list of ingredients with the instructions “Mix these together”. I want a detailed, chronological list of what to do, step-by-step. Certainly, not all content is a “tutorial” (The very lesson you’re reading isn’t in step-by-step format) but, when applicable, always explain things in chronological, reasonable steps. Preferably, in 9 steps or less to avoid the appearance that the process is too difficult to be accomplished.
* Brainstorming. Two of your favorite words as a writer should be, “For example”. The missing element of most information products and associated content that I’ve read is the use of “examples” and “ideas”. Most people present some information and then leave it to the reader to figure out how to apply that information for their own use. That’s usually not a good thing. Instead, it’s important to provide as many different examples, case studies, ideas, etc. as possible to give the reader a good idea of how to accomplish what you’re suggesting. For example (Hmmm, bet ya didn’t see that coming, huh?): I could have simply said, “You need to entertain your readers” and “You need to educate your readers” and left it at that. Instead, I’ve been giving examples and ideas for doing each of these things. More than just information, readers crave application. They want to see the content in action; they want to see how they can use it themselves.
* Tips. Everything you write should have tips included. Everything. Tips come in many shapes and sizes: keys, tactics, techniques, ways, methods, options. As many of these as you can include in your writing, the better. All it takes is for one good idea that you’ve shared to satisfy the reader. If you share 10 ways to do XYZ and number 7 clicks with the reader, they’ll love you. It doesn’t matter what else you write in the content, they are happy because they learned something useful. Tips are the information publisher’s best friend. A veteran might read your material and already know 99% of what you’ve written, but that one tip on page 47 just floored them and they are esctatic. Share as many different tips as you can. Your readers will thank you later. Well, the grateful ones will.
So, there you have it, the two key components of your content. Don’t forget the goal with these:
To teach readers something desirable to them in a way that they find enjoyable.
When you begin to build THAT kind of content into your websites and blogs, you’ll have a site that will do more than impress the search engines, it will impress those who arrive at your site and take a look around.
Never forget this truth: search engines don’t buy what you’re selling. People do.
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Jimmy D. Brown has been making a full-time living online since August 2000 and has been helping others earn money online for more than a decade. He’s created more than one hundred highly sought after products, services, coaching programs, software applications and membership sites which became top-sellers in the Internet Marketing community. .
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Well I hope you enjoyed this 3 part article by Jimmy and picked up a few tips to use in your online business. Remember search engines don’t buy what you’re selling. People do.
Have a Great Day!
Till Next Time
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