5 Tips for Writing Great Web Copy

Your website is an online version of your pitch. It’s the perfect–and sometimes the only–opportunity to wow potential customers and investors. The catch is that you only have seconds to captivate and inspire them to take action. How do you do that?
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You need killer web copy. Clear messaging that draws people in, resonates on a human level, and makes it easy for them to sign up, learn more, or buy. Ready to turn casual website visitors into paying customers, intrigued followers, and dedicated fans? Here are 5 tips to help you write great web copy. 

1. Trim the fat. 
   Less it more. But less is hard. Write with precision and trim the fatty extras if you want people to listen.
   Quick tip: Write the first draft. Then do a round of edits, cutting it down by 20%. Then do another round of edits, cutting another 20%. Leave only the essential. 
   
   
2. Use a fishing pole, not a net. 
   Entrepreneurs and startup companies often try to cast a wide net. We can throw this net and catch these guys as clients, or those guys, or that group...really anyone. We will take anyone that wants to pay us! But what if you used a fishing pole instead and dangled something your ideal client wants? Give out something valuable, and your ideal clients will come to you.
   Quick tip: Who is your ideal target customer? Are you trying to catch mahi-mahi or bottom feeders? Decide. Write for them. 
   
   
3. Speak with gumption.
   WHAT do you do, and WHO do you do it for? Finding the right words here is critical. Don’t say bad when you can say horrible. It’s okay to drive yourself crazy finding the right words. Your value proposition matters.
   Quick tip: Grab your business partner and brainstorm until your brain runs dry. The words are all there. You must do the work and start digging to find them.
   
   
4. Bring your wingmen along. 
   Listen, being a smooth talker and having charisma is great, but your web copy alone is not going to carry the team. Images are the perfect wingman for great copy. Every image is an opportunity to highlight something great about you, like your brand personality, intelligence or product functionality.
   Quick Tip: What images can you add on your homepage to convey your value and work? Browse a site like unsplash.com to find awesome, free stock photos. 
   
   
5. Buttons are everything. 
   When people land on your site, what do you want them to do? Read an article, sign up, subscribe to your email list, donate money, try your app? Decide, and build a button for that. What can you do to convince them to follow you to the next step, to click?
   Quick Tip: Browse some of your favorite sites and check out their buttons. What does the button say? How does the wording before it help persuade you to click? Analyzing other buttons will help you create great buttons for your site. 

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