You may have heard the sales mantra ABC – Always be Closing. One of the most successful tips for closing a sale revolves around actually asking for the sale. And believe it or not, this is often the most forgotten strategy as well. When you forget to ask for the sale, you risk losing a potential customer forever. The same thing can happen to your blog or website as well. So how do you apply this technique online and make sure you’re not losing readers, customers or even better – return customers?
How Doing Business Online is Different
Doing business online opens up a lot of new ways for website owners to interact with potential customers. The difference lies in the fact that when you have a website, a sale might not be what you’re trying to accomplish. Many times in our blogging efforts we want our readers to take smaller steps first before committing to a purchase. It helps develop loyalty that is much more profitable in the long run.
Some of these steps may include commenting on your most recent blog post, becoming a fan of your Facebook page or following your on Twitter, subscribing to updates through e-mail or RSS feeds or opting in to your e-mail marketing list. Any of these are viable steps a customer can take before giving you any money. But with all these possible options for your readers, how do you keep them from falling through the cracks?
It’s All About the Invitation
Just as in sales we must remember to ask for it, so too in blogging must we remember to ask for an action. In fact, this is commonly called your “call to action”. It’s an invitation to your reader to take action. The best part is that with our blogs, we can give them many choices – not just forking over cash. You can greatly increase your loyal following if you always remember to ask for some type of action.
Where you do the asking all depends on which action you want them to take. If you want them to engage in the conversation on your blog, it’s best to ask for their comments immediately after each blog post. Invite them to participate! If you want them to subscribe to future updates, be sure an invite them to subscribe right on your homepage before they have a chance to leave and never come back.
When it comes to crafting a call to action, we should remember a few rules. First, the most important invitations should be found on your homepage “above the fold” – or in the content a visitor can see before having to scroll. The next most important space on your website should be after your content as I mentioned before. This is a great place to invite your readers to comment or to share your article with people in their social networks. Next, make sure you’re using every other page to invite your readers to take action in manner. Even your “About” or “Contact” pages can include invitations of some kind. Don’t let any space on your site go to waste.
For tips on how to craft a great call to action you can read more on my site.
Why it Works
The principle of inviting your readers to take action works because of basic marketing psychology. The entire goal in your business, no matter if it’s a brick-and-mortar operation, an online store or informational blog, is to get your readers to say “YES” to you. When they’ve said yes that first time, it becomes much easier for them to say yes over and over again. So we like to help them out. Invite them to say yes to small things that require little to no commitment from them. In this way you’re preparing everyone who visits your website to eventually make those sales and earn that money!
For more resources to writing content effectively, you can check out these articles on writing to attract, retain and engage and four crucial elements of a sales page here.
EasyAzon Plugin
Twitter: seommotips
says:
So here is my first “Yes”
Asking to take action is often the most forgotten thing. I’ve read in many place and believe that it works. Ask for comment, ask to subscribe the feed, ask for a guest post, ask to buy the product. What goes?
Suresh Khanal recently posted..Tips On Building A Niche Blogging Community
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Excellent question. And the answer depends on where on the page you’re asking it. In general, I believe you should invite anywhere and everywhere possible. That way if one call to action doesn’t inspire your reader, another one might. You’ll never know if they hate commenting but love new RSS feeds. In my opinion, comments should be asked for after each post when it’s fresh in their minds and the comment form is right there. Subscriptions should be asked for on the home page usually, and may people have found lots of success with an opt-in form at the bottom of each post as well. Obviously an invitation to buy a product works best at the bottom of a sales page.
I hope that answers your question. If not, I’d be happy to give it another try
Thanks for reading!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
Twitter: paulas2
says:
Just like you mentioned. Psychology plays a important part of getting visitors to your web site. To respond to a call to action. The more targeted your visitors are. The more likely they are. To give you your most wanted response.
Paul Profitt recently posted..Do You Want To Know How To Sell?
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Good thing to keep in mind. If your audience is interested in what you do then they’ll respond to you. Thanks for reading!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
Twitter: esther98
says:
I often forget to do so. After reading your article, I’ve made a special note in my head to always have a call to action at the end of my posts. I know it’s important, so why do I forget to do it!
Anne Lyken-Garner recently posted..How To Get Blog Traffic: September Update
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Just remember it doesn’t have to be big. Maybe I can coin the term “micro-interactions” because that’s what we we’re shooting for! Thanks for commenting and visiting my site!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
Great post. I always try to add calls to action above fold, in the side bar, inside the post, and maybe in the footer to get people on my list and by having different offers you can see which ones convert best.
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Thanks for reading! I think you’re right. And determining which ones convert best is key.
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
Twitter: blogwithiyke
says:
I once read somewhere that one of the most important qualities of an (internet) entrepreneur is in your ability to call to action. Everything else leads to this singular goal, ‘call to action’.
Ikenna Odinaka recently posted..4 Businesses you can start as a Student or Fresh Graduate to Earn Income while waiting for a Job
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Couldn’t have said it better myself. In the end it will always take an action from your reader to build your business. Thanks for reading!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
Twitter: wordpresswb
says:
I never ask for a sale unless it is on a sales page..In my blog I talk about stuff and sell heaps, never asking anyone to buy and never saying that they really need the product…
My way works extremely well too…Because people trust me as I never push anything down their throats.
I agree totally that asking for a sale works well too.. But that’s not how I do it!
Mitz Pantic recently posted..WordPress Website Case Study From Zero to Seven Hundred Dollars
Twitter: luganikaran
says:
It’s not about forcing sales on readers but its about adapting a tactic to get the reader to be attracted to buy the product. I know forcing works in comments and subscribes but it should be done very carefully in sales . What do you say Mitz?
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
You have something very special with your readers, that’s great! I bet you’ll find that they trust you for a lot more reasons than just the fact that you don’t push anything down their throats, and that’s even better!
What I bet works so well for you is that trust your readers have. And while you may never ask for a sale, those banner ads on your site do. Your subscription options also contain calls-to-action. You leverage that relationship using the same principles we’ve been discussing, and it’s fabulous. We could all learn from you!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
I want to say that Just amazing and Excellent marketing Tips. I really happy to read this article.
Ziaur recently posted..How to add scroll Message on Blogger Title Bar
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Best of luck to you!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
Twitter: luganikaran
says:
It’s all about inviting the right way and not imposing the sales on readers. In such cases a post with apt results and screenshots work in getting the curiosity of the reader high leading to sales of the product. Sales is not what should be imposed like comments.
Karan Lugani recently posted..See How Easily You Can Target Keywords for Adsense
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
In every situation, coming on too strong will always turn off you readers. So yes, you want to avoid excessive promotion. Luckily it’s not hard to find a good balance. Having a good call-to-action is only one part of an effective sales process. I like your ideas as well. Thanks for commenting!
Brandon Freund recently posted..You Too Can Make $1 Million a Year with Your Website
It helps develop loyalty that is much more profitable in the long run.I agree that.If people think you website is great.They will recommand to their colleague,relatives and friends.Business is based on honest and reputation.Thanks for tips.
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I’m glad you liked the article. I agree that loyalty is what builds a business over time.
Brandon Freund recently posted..Why “WeBlogBetter” Should Choose Me
Very nice post Brandon. A call to action certainly is a great way to get your readers involved. I have seen it work on so many different blogs.
A simple “your turn; what do you think about …” at the end of your article is enough to make the reader want to get involved and voice his or her opinion.
satrap recently posted..Legitimate Work From Home Jobs
Twitter: BigDogsIM
says:
You’re exactly right, it doesn’t take much at all. But you’d be surprised how much you’ll miss out on if you leave it out. Thanks for the comment!
Brandon Freund recently posted..Blogging and Driving in San Francisco? More Similar Than You Think!
“…to get your readers to say “YES” to you.” – Getting a customer for the first time can be very advantageous for every business especially if the customer is satisfied with the product or service. The good thing with this is that this customer can either be a recurring customer or can either be a part of your free marketing thru referrals.
Maria Pavel recently posted..Tips When Writing Your CNA Resume
I completely agree with you. Setting up a call to action in your blog is taking total initiative to get the business started! Thank you for sharing.