How to find inspiration for your blog

Blogs are a great way to tell the world your news as well as sharing your thoughts and knowledge. They are a great way of attracting interest in what you do as well as demonstrating how well you do it.

So how do you know what to blog about?

You could just write about what you feel like, whenever inspiration strikes.

That's all very well, but it can look rather disjointed and will discourage people from actively following you if they can't see regular postings that will interest them.

The best way attract more business through your blog is to have a semi-structured plan of what you are going to talk about and why.

For example, if you are blogging to become known as the expert in home gardening and sell garden designs to homeowners, give tips and advice on what to plant, how to prune and top tips when planning a garden.

On the other hand, a blog aiming to attract more clients aged 25-40 to a clothing store would discuss fashion trends and how to put together the outfits worn by famous people who are the same age as its target market.

Top Tips!

Decide WHY you are blogging and WHO you are aiming them at. Imagine sitting down for a coffee with one of the people you'd like to read your blog. Then, think of all the topics of conversation you could have with them if you have never met them before, but want to demonstrate who you are and what you do.

Be yourself. People buy from people, even on the internet. Develop your own style of writing, be friendly and don't be afraid to give away advice. After all, if people gain a benefit, they will keep coming back.

Ideas are like buses; they will all come at once... so keep an ideas notebook and write your ideas down, so you never run out of things to write about.

If you are in the mood for writing, create several blog posts in one go, then schedule them to be posted at regular intervals. This is also a good tip before going on annual leave or if you know your schedule is busy over the coming days and weeks.

Why the words on your website are important

Did you know...?

• You have just 3 seconds to grab a visitor's attention when they visit your website



• The first sentence is paramount - if you don't interest them here, they will hit the back button



• Your information should clearly state the benefits of what you do and why they should buy from you.

For example: which would you prefer to read:

"Thank you for visiting our website. XXYZ Company has been established for 40 years and we are committed to giving our customers excellent service and value for money.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and services so please call us if you think we can help you."

or

"Eye catching designs at affordable prices. Now that’s something to smile about.

At XYZ Company, we are all about happy clients. So, we understand that you want an outstanding creative design agency that gives results and who understands the importance of your budget, however large or small."

Top Tips!

1. It is really hard writing about yourself and your company. So ask trusted clients why they use you time and time again as this will give you a useful insight into the benefits they value.


2. Use a professional business writer (also known as a copywriter) to help you write your website text. The Write Solution for example, will help you to:

• understand who you are targeting


• clearly state the messages and benefits you want to get across


• write interesting, punchy, to-the-point text


• weave in search-engine friendly keywords and phrases

Want to know more? Read our article, 'Why Use a Copywriter' or give me a call on 01283 808460 - I look forward to hearing from you.

Hannah

Hannah Sookias The Write Solution Tel: 01283 808460

http://www.copywritingandpr.com/

Digital PR - Website Text - Blog Writing - Social Media Training - Features - Public Relations

5 Top Tips - Attending Business Networking Events

How often have you been at networking meetings where everyone you meet is all about 'me, me, me'?

They start the conversation trying to sell you something and quickly move on when it becomes apparent that you are not currently in the market for what they are offering. I personally think that these types of people are really missing a trick. Here's why:

Don't dismiss someone just because they won't buy from you personally
Even when someone is unlikely to buy from you, it is worth spending a few moments getting to know them and their business... after all, they usually have at least one contact within their business and social circles who will be in the market for what you are offering. And you never know, they might just have a contact who you've been trying to connect with or who is looking to place a substantial order.

Give rather than receive (use a 'how can I help you' approach)
Having a giving approach rather than a taking one can reap massive benefits. We've already established that people like talking about themselves, so turn their habit into useful information for you.

By asking this question means that people are more likely to tell you the types of clients they are looking for and which industries they sell into, which means you are more able to pass on their details to your contacts.

When they have finished, always say whether you have any contacts they are looking for and thank them for giving you such useful information. Continue by telling the types of clients you are looking for and ask them specifically if they have any contacts in those fields.

You'll be amazed at how much more productive your meetings will be by trying to give rather than receive.

Other people are your best PR
Being recommended is the best form of public relations (PR). People are much more likely to believe someone else that you and your products are brilliant much more than they will believe you. Getting to know people at networking events means they are still able to promote you to their associates and clients, even if they don't buy from you.

Find out what people remember you for
I always find it fascinating to discover how people remember me. At many of the networking events I attend, I give a 60 second pitch about who I am and what I do. By listening to how people introduce me to others is an interesting insight into what people remember from these and the types of topics they are interested in. I then use this information to develop other one minute promotions to build on their interest.

Research and follow-up is important
If there is a delegate list published before the event, do use it to prepare for the meeting. Go with 5 people in mind that you would like to talk to. Ask other attendees you talk to if they know any of them and ask to be introduced.

Always try to follow up meetings with emails, tweets or other social media messages to the contacts you have spoken to. These needn't be all work related - in fact if you can weave a social conversation, it is all the better. How much nicer it is to sign off an email saying. "I hope your son's team has a good game on Saturday" or "Good luck in the Great North Run at the weekend"? It shows you are interested in them as a person as well as their business and something you can build on next time you meet.

Hannah
Hannah Sookias
The Write Solution
Tel: 01283 808460
http://www.copywritingandpr.com/
Digital PR - Blog Writing - Social Media Training - Articles - Features - Public Relations

What is copywriting and why should you use a copywriter?

Copywriting - whether it is the text for a website, brochure, sales letter or press release - is a moment of opportunity to bring an important message to your potential clients and existing customers.

What you say needs to have impact. It needs to be interesting so people read it. But often what we want to say is different to what people want to read about.

Professional copywriters can unscramble your thoughts and put them in a way that will wow your customers. They take your messages and put them into words that will attract attention, spark their interest, ignite desire and prompt them to take action (the AIDA effect). Copywriters will your message in the right words so you achieve successful promotions.

The best wordsmiths understand how communication works. They take into account that different people have different learning preferences and ensure that their copywriting takes this into account. They will weave into their writing visual, auditory and kinaesthetic phrases to avoid missing a large proportion of your target market.

Often, updating the words in your brochure, on your website or in your sales letters gets pushed aside by the day-to-day tasks that often overrun the marketing manager or owner of a business. Using a copywriter means that you will have your new words ready when you need them - on time and within budget.

It takes just one call or email to start communicating with your customers on a new level by using the right words to promote your messages...

Want to know more or see some examples? Visit http://www.copywritingandpr.com/ or call Hannah Sookias on 01283 808460.

How to choose a web designer

I recently answered a question on LinkedIn about what I look for on a web-agency's website. I speak to several people each week who how to choose a web designer, so thought it would be worth me giving some pointers.

HOW TO CHOOSE A WEB DESIGNER

1. Look at their website. Do you like it? Does it convey the image you are trying to create or aspire to?
2. Does the home page tell you the benefits of using them over someone else?
3. Is it easy to find out what they actually do... and are there clear links to their 'What we do/about us' sections
4. Does their site use clear, simple language? The best sites use language that is suitable for a reading age of about 13. This is because it is quicker to scan 'simple' text encouraging visitors to read more than a site full of detailed technical writing.
5. Does their 'What we do' section should have brief summaries of all their services with 'read more' links to more technical pages explaining them in greater detail? This is because it is often a a non-technical person who initially searches for a web agency. However, the more detailed, nitty-gritty techincal stuff should be there in case you want your IT person to check they know what they are talking about).
6. Are there examples for you to check out? Do they work for many organisations? Do they have experience of companies like yours?

If they tick all the boxes, meet with them. Don't be pressurised into using their in-house designers - if you want to use your own graphics designer to ensure your brand identity, they should accept this and be happy to work with them.

Also, think about the text for your website. I strongly believe that the hardest job is to write about your own company. Using a specialist copywriting company, like The Write Solution will help you create the right tone for your site and produce the text in a fraction of the time it will take you. Experienced writers will be used to liaising with you (the client) as well as a graphics designer and website designer - at The Write Solution, we often project manage the website development process because we are in this central role.

I hope this helps! Do feel free to contact me if you'd like to know more.

Hannah Sookias
Tel: 01283 808460 hannah@copywritingandpr.com

Can a charity's advert be 'too shocking' for TV?

The MND Association's new advert has been banned from TV as it is 'too shocking'.

My mum died several years ago from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Sadly, 5 people still die from the disease every day in the UK and at any one time there are around 5,000 people living with disease across the country.

It is the MND Association's 30th anniversary this year and it is working hard to both raise awareness and find a cure. I think it is great that they have a billboard awareness campaign on the London Underground and at mainline stations across the UK from Monday 15 June.

Their advert has been screened free in selected cinemas and yes it IS shocking. But so is the disease. You can judge for yourself by watching Sarah's story at http://www.sarahsstory.org.uk/.

The advert was created with the help and support of people currently living with MND. It has no cure and as the disease kills the motor neurones (the message carriers from the brain to our muscles) so the person loses mobility, speech and most things we take for granted.

Please help me to raise awareness for the MND Association by watching the advert and then telling 5 of your friends and asking them to tell 5 of theirs -either by email, Facebook, a blog or Twitter.

Thank you so much for spreading the word and helping us to free the world of MND.

Hannah
Tel: 01283 808460
info@copywritingandpr.com

PS Do contact me if you have any questions after watching this or ring 'MND Connect' on 08457 626262.

Did Swine Flu give a bigger boost to the UK economy than monetary easing?

For weeks, the news was all about the recession. Then, just as the downward spiral seemed never ending, Swine Flu appeared!



Suddenly, we had something else to talk about. This was followed by the MPs expenses scandal and the 'R' word was pushed to a smaller news item on TV, on-line and in newspapers.



We stopped thinking about the economy in a negative way. We started to have conversations that weren't focused on financial doom and gloom and we began to look to the future.



I know we are not out of the woods yet. And perhaps monetary easing has had a positive effect. However, let's keep boosting the economy by keeping our positive outlook and help our businesses grow.



Hannah Sookias

The Write Solution

Tel: 01283 808460

http://www.copywritingandpr.com/

Promoting your business – 3 things you can do TODAY

1. Make better use of testimonials
   - Ask happy customers for a quick sentence on why they use your company.
   - Confirm they are happy for you to use it in promotional materials.
   - Use it! Add it to your website, leaflets and adverts.
2. Cross-sell to your existing customers
   - Tell your customers what else you do (by phone, letter or email).
   - Give them a ‘valued-customer’ incentive to try something new
   - Thank them for their customer and give them a sample to try of a product or service they are not currently buying from you.
3. Tell your stories
   - Talk to your customers: how are your products helping them?
   - Speak with your employees: what’s happening? Can your company help them in a fundraising endeavour?
   - Add stories to your website as examples or news. Make friends with your local reporters and let them know what’s happening too.

Want some help or advice? Give me a call.

Hannah Sookias - 01283 808460

www.copywritingandpr.com

Twittering on twitter...

First it was Friends Reunited, then Facebook and LinkedIn.
Now it's Twitter...

Social networking has boomed over the last few months, but is it just a trend?

Everyone seems to be talking about it - Chris Moyles has spent at least 10 mintues each day this week talking on his BBC Radio 1 breakfast show about who he's been twittering with.

My own personal opinion? I think it's great, I just wish I had more time to do it. Some people seem to tweet all day. Do they actually do any work? Perhaps it is a great way to seem as if you are working but actually you're not...

What are your views? Do you tweet? Does it have a great impact on your business? Let me know - I'm interested in hearing your thoughts so I can decide whether to become a serious on-line twitcher.

Hannah Sookias
+4 (0)1283 808460
http://www.copywritingandpr.com/

Why do you need a writer?

Imagine a blank piece of paper: smooth, clean and ready for words. It is a moment of opportunity to bring an important message to potential clients and existing customers.

Shall it form a sales letter, words for a website, a leaflet or a brochure?

It needs to have impact. The words need to be read.

What shall you say? How will it start? Which group of words will have the most impact? Will your message be heard?

You want it to be interesting. You want people to read it.

Which words will work best?

You’ve just realised you need help. Someone who can unscramble your thoughts and put them in a way that will wow your customers.

You reach out your hand... and pick up the phone. You need the help of a writer.

One call and you know the job is in capable hands. You breathe a sigh of relief and get on with your day, looking forward to the perfect words being delivered your way.

Hannah
Tel: +44(0)1283 808460
Email: hannah@copywritingandpr.com
www.copywritingandpr.com

Local companies using recession to become more competitive

Businesses are finding new ways to be competitive in the recession through a series of business growth workshops being held in the Midlands.

The seminars are run by The Write Solution and IntegritUs Ltd.

Dave Lees and I believe passionately that with the right tools and techniques, local business can build on their strengths and beat the current doom and gloom.

With many years of experience in a wide-range of industries, we give local businesses tips and advice they can implement immediately that will make a difference to them in the coming weeks and months.

I believe this is the ideal time for firms to be looking at what they do, deciding where they want to be and finding new ways and opportunities to get them there.

In the workshops, Dave shares how to create an opportunity mindset and plan for success whatever the economic situation and I reveal the secrets to successful business promotions and explain different marketing tactics including public relations (PR).

An attendee from our last workshop, Richard Beldon from Lets Go Local said, “It was informative, creative and fun. It got the juices flowing nicely for the year ahead and was the kick start I needed to 2009!”

Our next seminar is being held in Burton-upon-Trent on Friday 13th March 2009, 9am – 4pm and costs just £50.00 per delegate. To book, call Hannah on 01283 808460 or email info@copywritingandpr.com.