When it comes to writing for the web, you are only as good as your last word. First impressions are made on the www much faster than the 30 seconds you have to impress someone in person. You have one chance to grab someone’s attention, so you better make it good. Attracting a readership organically and authentically, will always win over some yucky, spammy, get rich quick, scheme or scam. Attracting the right reader, in the right way, will ensure a devoted audience for life.
What happened to the way you used to woo? If you are in a relationship, and treat your partner the way you did when you first started dating, you might have more fun and certainly, your lover will feel inspired to return the favor. This behavior will encourage a long-term, perhaps life long relationship. Similarly, you want to woo your readers and internet relationships in the honeymoon phase, all the way through your first e-book, and ongoing. When you stop wooing, you start taking things too seriously, nitpicking and not enjoying the process. When you stop nurturing the relationship with joy and love, it will reflect in your bed and your blog!
50 ways to woo the web world.
(you may be able to apply a few of these to your love life as well!)
15 ways to woo with your blog:
- Your blog is the heart and soul of the connection you have with your readers. Treat it that way.
- Write about what you love, not about what is popular.
- Write for your readers, not for search engines.
- Dress up. Make your blog space a visually appealing place to be.
- Don’t send mixed signals. Make sure your website is easy to navigate.
- Ask your readers what they want, and give it to them.
- Be responsive. When someone takes the time to comment on your blog, reply.
- Borrow, but don’t steal.
- Be curious. Be inquisitive and explore, and sparks will fly.
- Be attentive. Check your grammar and spelling.
- Keep your word. Be who you say you are.
- Focus on the important. Do more writing than stat checking.
- Be faithful. Stay on topic.
- Don’t be shy, but remember that whatever you put “out there”, will be “out there” forever. (or a really long time).
- Say thank you. Appreciate that someone cares about what you say, and make it worth reading.
10 ways to woo with guest posting:
- Put your best foot forward. You might think about saving your best posts for your own blog. Instead, make each post your best, regardless of where it shows up.
- Research the site where you would like to post to see if there are specific directions for guest posting. (and follow them)
- Get to know the writer and their blog before you send your pitch.
- Don’t assume you know their audience. Ask questions.
- Be Considerate. Make your pitch short and sweet, but polite and personal.
- Ask for input and recommendations. Make changes accordingly and graciously.
- Respond to comments on the guest post.
- Do not include your own affiliate links, but suggest that the blogger can include their own.
- Promote the guest post to your audience and help drive traffic.
- Say thank you. After your post goes up, send a thank you note and express interest in future collaboration.
7 ways to woo with affiliate sales:
- Sell products you believe in. If you are selling shit, your readers will know it, and they will tell their friends.
- Only recommend something that has entertained, informed or inspired you.
- Recommend products that fit the theme of your blog.
- Stand by your money back guarantee if you have one.
- Encourage feedback from readers about the products you sell.
- Don’t make someone say yes or no to a product before they can read your blog, even if it’s free.
- Say thank you. When the buyer feels appreciated, they will buy from you again.
4 ways to woo when commenting on other blogs:
- Do not include links to your blog when you leave a comment.
- If you don’t have something relevant to say, don’t say anything at all.
- Disagree, but do it with respect to the writer and other readers.
- Comment thoughtfully. Avoid generic comments like “Great Post” or “Thanks for the info”.
13 ways to woo with social media:
- Do not underestimate the responsibility and power of the opportunity to build your audience.
- Offer compelling, interesting, useful information.
- Network, but keep your readers in mind.
- Be yourself. If you aren’t funny in person, you aren’t funny in 140 characters or less.
- Don’t follow to get a follower.
- If you can’t be everywhere well, don’t be. Choose one or two platforms and make them work for you.
- This is not your personal diary.
- Ask questions.
- Start conversations.
- Engage in conversations.
- Say enough, but not too much. When you start losing your audience, your saying too much.
- Only follow the number of people you can keep up with.
- Say thank you. Show your appreciation when others retweet your info or share on Facebook.
1 more way to woo:
Last but not least, take care of you. When you eat well, exercise and feed your interests, you can be more generous and loving with your partner. To keep energized and fit to woo the web world, read and write just for you. Keep a personal journal where you can write whatever you want. It might not be your best work in terms of appealing to an audience, but it will be meaningful to you. As you are cleverly crafting great stories to share with the world, you still need a personal outlet. Some of the things you write for yourself may turn into blog entries, guest posts or even a novel, but some of it will just be for you.
How do you woo the web world?