Marketing starts with writing. Think about it. Everything you do from a small business marketing stand point starts with writing. That doesn't mean that you need to be a Pulitzer Prize winning writer to get great marketing results. You just need to start writing. It's an important key to every part of your small business marketing success. You write your marketing materials, web site copy, articles, special reports, tip sheets, talks and presentations, sales letters, ezines or newsletters, post card mailers, proposals, etc. They all start with writing - well, at least they should. Some small business owners get seduced into starting a new marketing piece with pictures or stunning graphics. But you really need to focus on the message and content first. And that starts with writing. I even recommend that my clients write out their 30-second attention getting introduction and their 10-second WOW statement. When you write out a couple of versions of your 30-second attention getting introduction you can read it out loud several times and tweak it until you know you just know what you want to say. When you write you will gain clarity about your business and your services that you won't have previously experienced. By taking the time to write about what you do for clients and what they get from your service you're able to begin conveying messages more persuasively. Don't think for a second that you can't do it if you haven't previously done a lot of writing. The key is to just start. Remember we're not going for award winning writing here. Keep your small business marketing messages simple and direct. Stay focused on what you're trying to do for clients and prospects - their problems, issues and challenges and the results or outcomes they're interested in. Start with an outline. Write something today and set it aside for a day or two before you come back to it. You'll continue to gain clarity and eventually your writing will get better. Marketing starts with writing. So start writing... |
