Writing online is different than writing a love letter. Why? Because you’re not only writing for yourself, but also for your readers (or customers), and your goal is to persuade them to take action. Whether you want to sell a product, capture leads, or simply educate your audience, persuasive online writing can make all the difference.
1. Know Your Audience
The first step in persuasive online writing is understanding your audience. Who are they? What are their pain points? What motivates them? What keeps them up at night? The better you know your audience, the more effective your writing will be.
2. Use Power Words
Power words are words that evoke strong emotions and grab attention. Examples include: free, new, exclusive, discover, proven, easy, guaranteed, and many more. When used appropriately, power words can make your writing more persuasive and memorable.
3. Focus on Benefits, Not Features
When writing about your product or service, don’t just list its features. Instead, focus on the benefits the features provide. For example, instead of saying “Our new app has 20GB of storage,” say “With our new app, you can store all your photos, videos, and documents without worrying about running out of space.”
4. Use Social Proof
Social proof is the idea that people are influenced by the actions of others. When writing online, use social proof to your advantage. For example, include testimonials from satisfied customers, display your social media follower count, or highlight any awards or recognition your product or service has received.
5. Keep It Simple
Online attention spans are short, and people are busy. Don’t make your writing harder than it needs to be. Use short sentences, simple language, and plenty of white space to make your writing easy to read and digest.
6. Create Urgency
People are more likely to take action when they feel a sense of urgency. When writing online, create a sense of urgency by using phrases like “limited time offer,” “last chance,” or “while supplies last.” This can encourage readers to take action sooner rather than later.
7. Call to Action
The most important part of persuasive online writing is the call to action (CTA). The CTA is the part of your writing where you tell your readers exactly what to do next, whether it’s to buy your product, sign up for your newsletter, or download your ebook. Make your CTA clear, direct, and actionable.
In conclusion, persuasive online writing is a must-have skill for anyone who wants to succeed in the online world. By knowing your audience, using power words, focusing on benefits, using social proof, keeping it simple, creating urgency, and using a clear call to action, you can create copy that persuades and converts.