What gets ‘semi-accidentally’ left off a lot of the content I edit?
A call-to-action (CTA).
Here is why it including a CTA is so important…
What is a CTA?
First of all, what do I mean by a CTA? I think a lot of people leave off CTAs because they fear it might come across as too salesy, but a CTA can just be a small opener to continue the conversation or a polite reminder that people can get in touch if they have any questions. It can be as simple as a ‘read more here’, ‘what do you think?’, or ‘contact me here’. A CTA is not just something for a sales or landing page, and it can be something as whimsical as a series of emojis (works a treat on social).A CTA can be a signpost to another interesting resource or a call out for people to share their opinions.It’s such a small, tiny little detail but it can make all the difference to a blog post, an email, a social post etc. In fact, all writing could probably include a CTA.
Why do people not use CTAs?
Here are some reasons why people might shy away from using CTAs:- Not sure how to conclude a piece/lack of a clear conclusion
- Fear of being seen as too ‘salesy’
- Can’t find a CTA that connects to the wider story
- Can’t think of a relevant CTA
- Vacillation/lack of CTA awareness.
Why you need a CTA
Including a CTA is a no-brainer.Open a door to something new. Don’t just leave people hanging. End with purpose by including a CTA.
Tips for CTA writing
Here are some tips to help you write good CTAs:- Show your personality and make your CTAs memorable
- Engage with the community and get others involved through your CTA
- Use surprising verbs and adjectives (think about explore vs. read, hit me up vs. contact me)
- Match your CTA to your platform and channel.
