Last time we revealed the most important word in blogging. That's right you! Today we pass along what Brian Clark, CEO of Copyblogger, considers to be the other most important word in blogging because it will capture your readers' attention.
The other word is "because."
One of the most important characteristics of compelling, persuasive content is specificity. The more specific you are the more credible your points, arguments or sales pitches. There are many ways to be specific in your writing. One of the best is simply giving a reason why. And the most effective transition word when giving a "reason why" is because.
The power of the word "because" has actually been documented by social psychologist Ellen Langer, as told by Robert Cialdini from the Blog Triggers series. Langer performed an experiment where she asked to cut in line to use a copy machine.
She tested three different ways of asking, and recorded th results:
Excuse me I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine? Sixty percent said OK.
Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I'm in a rush? Ninety-four percent said OK.
It appears taht giving the reason why she wanted to cut in line boosted the effectiveness of the request.
But here's the kicker.
Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use th Xerox machine because I have to make some copies? Ninety-three percent said OK.
The trigger word "because" is so powerful that the reason why didn't really seem to matter. Be specific in your assertions and always give a reason why, especially when you want people to take some form of action.
Not because I said so, but rather because it will work wonders for you.
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
You are NOT Important
Do You Know The Two Most Important Words In Blogging?
"It's not about you." That's the first sentence in Robert Warren's best-seller A Purpose-Driven Life. However, when it comes to writing purposeful blogs, it is about you.
Today we will pass along the two most important words in blogging (according to Brian Clark, CEO of Copyblogger). Hint: we already told you the first word.
The Most Important Word is "You"
It's certainly ironic that a medium often used as a self-absorbed jounaling platform would now need to be overwhelmingly focused on teh reader in order to be effective. But if you're blogging for marketing or public relations purposes every post should be purposefully aimed at the needs and wants of others.
You only benefit when readers benefit first.
When it comes to writing engaging content, "you" is the most powerful word in the English language because people are ultimately interested in fulfilling their own needs. It may sound harsh, but the fact is your readers won't start to actually care about you at all until you've repeatedly offered them exceptional value with your blog.
But once they do start to care about you, look out because wonderful things can start happening, things like viral buzz and customer evangelism.
The same substantive content will be more effetive with the focus shifted toward the reader. One of the easiest ways to do that is to maximize the use of the word "you," while minimizing or eliminating words "I" and "me."
Every time you finish writing a blog post check the focus. How many times does the word "you" and its derivations appear? What about "I" and "me?"
Try it, and you'll be amazed at the results
"It's not about you." That's the first sentence in Robert Warren's best-seller A Purpose-Driven Life. However, when it comes to writing purposeful blogs, it is about you.
Today we will pass along the two most important words in blogging (according to Brian Clark, CEO of Copyblogger). Hint: we already told you the first word.
The Most Important Word is "You"
It's certainly ironic that a medium often used as a self-absorbed jounaling platform would now need to be overwhelmingly focused on teh reader in order to be effective. But if you're blogging for marketing or public relations purposes every post should be purposefully aimed at the needs and wants of others.
You only benefit when readers benefit first.
When it comes to writing engaging content, "you" is the most powerful word in the English language because people are ultimately interested in fulfilling their own needs. It may sound harsh, but the fact is your readers won't start to actually care about you at all until you've repeatedly offered them exceptional value with your blog.
But once they do start to care about you, look out because wonderful things can start happening, things like viral buzz and customer evangelism.
The same substantive content will be more effetive with the focus shifted toward the reader. One of the easiest ways to do that is to maximize the use of the word "you," while minimizing or eliminating words "I" and "me."
Every time you finish writing a blog post check the focus. How many times does the word "you" and its derivations appear? What about "I" and "me?"
Try it, and you'll be amazed at the results
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