Be a Better Writer Blog

The Power of Persuasive SEO Copy

Put it to work for you!! 

 

Does that sound a little salesy?  Sure it does!  It is!  Of course, salesy content is kind of the antithesis of persuasive content, when you think of it.  It’s easy to beat someone over the head to get your point across—not so easy to persuade.  So how do you do it?  SEO copy is, ultimately, sales copy.  However, it’s always riding the fine line between providing useful information and convincing readers to buy something.

 

Effective persuasive copy isn’t a magic formula.  It does adhere to some basic guidelines, though.  Make sure that your SEO copy includes the following elements:

 

            1. Clear explanations- People are more likely to be open to what you have to say when you offer good reasons for your assertions.  “Because I told you so” never worked for your parents, and it doesn’t work for SEO copywriting, either.

 

            2. Problem solving- Make people’s lives easier, and you are halfway there.  Maybe more.  Persuasive writing offers clear benefits to the reader.  It shows how you can solve their problems.  Identify the reader’s pain points, then address them.

 

            3. Anticipation of objections- Go into your work knowing that someone out there will refute your assertions or raise an objection of some kind.  Try to anticipate the possible objections.  This raises your credibility by allowing people to see that you’ve not only thought out your position, but you can defend it against those who may disagree.

 

            4. Outside back-up- References to outside sources, in the form of studies, quotes from thought leaders or statistics of any kind, strengthen your position and make your copy more persuasive. 

 

            5. Examples/stories- We’ve talked about the power of storytelling before.  People are drawn to stories, most likely because they give your copy concrete meaning.  If you can point to an example that illustrates what you’re trying to say, the reader will be able to more easily imagine the benefits to him. 

 

And one more thing.  Persuasion always requires that you come to the table prepared.  So make sure you research your topic thoroughly and use your best grammar.  It’s awfully hard to persuade others when your writing tells them that you don’t know what you’re talking about.

 

The best SEO copy sells using effective persuasion techniques.  Have I persuaded you to try them out?