Top 5 Reasons Top 5 Lists Are SEO Effective Copywriting

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO as it has been dubbed by its followers, is like the Salem Witch Trials. Everyone is scrambling to find the perfect SEO plan and yet no one is exactly sure what SEO is or how it works. Instead we stand on street corners and scream out “there’s an idea!” and the idea starts running. Okay, maybe it’s not as dramatic as all that, but there definitely is something enticing about search engine optimization that we love to hate. Yes, I am getting to my point. People have been spouting lately that having top five lists is SEO effective copywriting, so in the spirit of trial-and-error, here are my top five reasons why top five lists are SEO effective copywriting.

1 – People don’t like to read. The thought depresses me, but unfortunately in today’s technologically savvy society, there is just an over abundance of information hitting people every day (especially in advertising) and so to defend ourselves, we no longer care to read. If you want attention, you’re going to have to be brief. This is why slogans and taglines are so popular.

2 – Keywords, keywords, keywords. Top five lists can simplify everyone’s lust to find the perfect keywords. Mine for example would be advertising, design firm, logo design, website design… the list goes on (and now this page will be ranking higher…) It’s easier to put your keywords all in a neat list and build copy around it. Sad isn’t it? I think so.

3 – If you bold it, they will read. This one speaks for itself and yet no one seems to notice. If people don’t read and you want to highlight keywords then bolding text is the best way to go. Heck, go with it anyhow. Bolding text makes it a) stand out to readers and b) helps search engines pick it up.

4 – Keep it short and sweet. Okay, I suppose sweet doesn’t matter, but once again, and I can’t stress this enough, no one (short of me and apparently you) reads, so having brief content gets your point across, especially in advertising. Copywriting is made to sell. People won’t think about buying your product if they have to read five pages of content to get to your main tagline, slogan or selling point.

5 – Text link it all up. If you have more to say, but are trying to be concise, use text links. Then if your reader is interested in knowing more, they can move on to another article by you on the same topic. This creates a web of articles and keeps users interested in your website/blog.

Keep in mind that SEO techniques are similar to Salem’s original “witches.” We don’t know what’s an effective SEO tool and what isn’t. Stay calm, try some and see what works for you and what doesn’t.

As always, if you have questions or comments about SEO, please drop me an email at kate@starmedia.ca or call us toll free at 1.866.816.5646. We’d love to help!

-Kate

Building a Better Business Card

Business cards are a fantastic marketing tool that no company should go without. To start, business cards provide you with the professional edge that you need when you are out of the office and in the world. Whether you’re on an airplane, at a restaurant or even among friends, business cards are easy to pass out to virtually anyone and even easier for them to keep and remember your business by. Keep in mind, everyone has a wallet.

The key is professionalism. Your business card should embody the following elements:

1) Well Designed Logo – There’s no point to having a business card if you don’t have a logo to put on it. Human beings are extremely visual. Customers will have a much better chance of remembering your business if they identify it with a consistent logo that expresses your business.

2) Information – The address, phone number, email address, fax number and website of your business should be easy to find, easy to read and accessible on your business card. If your card doesn’t inform customers, it’s worthless.

3) Colors – Color choices are incredibly important both aesthetically and financially. Your business cards need to look great, send the right message and be cost efficient to print.

4) Offer Something Unique – Does your business have a catchy slogan? Does your business card stand out from other cards? Having a professionally made business card really can make all the difference in how your business is portrayed.

5) Paper – Splurging on high quality paper can make a huge difference. You need to consider the weight of the paper and the durability. Business cards pass through a lot of hands and are often jammed into wallets. They need to be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear without wearing and tearing.

A good business card can last your company a while, bring in customers and create a professional and reliable image. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Let your company shine through in a well-designed business card.

I Can Do It Myself! Do I Really Need to Hire Designers?

Imagine a group of construction workers were asked to build an important office building, but they weren’t being supplied with any blueprints. The effect would be disastrous! Not only would they not know the specifications of the building, but there would also be mayhem as the workers each had their own way of working on the construction project. Although it is difficult to estimate the exact Return on Investment or ROI of a particular design campaign, it is possible to show the effects design has on advertising and how those effects do, in fact, change a business’ ROI for the better.

The two biggest problems that many businesses face when deciding on whether or not to spend money on design are:

1) Shortage of Time
2) Lack of Money

No one wants to “throw away money” on something they believe they are capable of themselves. Unlike the medicine or law professions for example, design appears to be something even a regular Joe is capable of. With the ever expanding market of “how to” books being released daily, everything seems well within grasp. So why spend money and “waste time” on hiring a design firm to handle your advertising when you can do it yourself?

A lot goes into design that the how-to books can’t begin to explain. Before the actual design process even begins, a lot of research must be performed. The designers need to know not only information about the business they’ve been hired to design for, but also about the competitors and the market. Other factors play into the designing process as well, including color research and image research. Since humans respond better to colors and images, it is important that the designers choose colors and images that are positive and that are appropriate to the business’ market. Once this process is complete, then the brainstorming process begins. Designers rarely work independently. Discussing ideas with other designers gives the design a fresh look and augments its ability to increase a business’ ROI. A good design firm will keep you, the business, involved throughout the design process. By getting extra information from you about how your business functions and what your clientele is like, designers are able to match their designs to your customer base. The most important aspect is a solid focus on the customer. Giving the customer exactly what they want always shows in your ROI.

Like anything else, setting solid goals is the key to discovering whether or not design will pay off for your business. The effects of design on your ROI are long term and won’t appear over night. It takes time for a brand to embed itself in the minds of your customers and potential customers. This is why having strong goals will help your business discover what is working effectively and what can be replaced. From Coca-Cola’s ™ red cans and labels to the golden arches of McDonald’s ™, solid designs create lasting brands. Take a little extra time and spend a bit of money on something that has the potential to bring in lasting profits and notability to your business. Leave the “do it yourself” mentality to gardening and home renovations.

And if I've managed to sway you, then I'm thrilled and would love to hear from you. Yes, I'll even take your order - toll free: 1.866.816.5646 or email me!