Content Mastery Guide

Editor and Ghostwriter

What conversion really means to me

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Someone recently sent me a link to a video about conversion, "Hey, Linda, I think this could help you get better results from your offers…" I won't share the link, but I'll tell you that I found it utterly unwatchable.

Not because I don't have things to learn. Not because it wasn't excellent, research-based information.

But because it was so full of jargon that it literally was like to trying to understand a foreign language. 

When I want to study up on Internet marketing techniques, I look to folks like Charlie Gilkey, Dave Navarro and Mark Silver. They always have excellent, useful information that is easy to grasp and leaves me with my soul intact.

I think what bothered me the most about the jargon in the video is that there was no mention of either of the people involved in the transaction – the provider of the service or the receiver of the service.

Because what conversion really means to me is that I get the chance to help someone. Sure, I help people with the free content I provide, but when money enters the picture, it ups the exchange of love and service to a whole new level – go read Mark Silver's stuff, he'll teach you all about that.

So I'll leave the conversion conversation to those more versed in that language. And in the meantime, I'll just ask you the simple question, "How can I help you?"

Content Creation Manifesto #7 – Automation is personal

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If you’re only publishing your content in one place, it may be just as pointless as not writing at all. Some people rarely open email newsletters, but they’ll click on a link in Twitter or Facebook. Other people have social network accounts but never log in.

By sharing your content across different forums, you’re giving your readers the choice of where and how to enjoy your work. Now that’s a personal touch.

START NOW by integrating your online services and applications, or have someone do it for you. For example, with AWeber (my affiliate link), you can automatically tweet a link to view your newsletter online. You can also populate a newsletter automatically with links to your newest blog posts, with the Blog Broadcast feature. If you publish a blog on Typepad or WordPress, you can automatically share a link to each new post on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

[Update October 10, 2016: I’ve since come to understand that just because you can automatically generate links on social media, doesn’t mean that you should. Instead, craft unique messages that respect the culture of each platform, and preschedule them at staggered times through the week so you don’t appear like a robot.]

That brings us to the end of this 7-part Content Creation Manifesto. If it resonated with you, please keep in touch by signing up to receive weekly email updates from the Content Mastery Guide blog and leave a comment below.

Head back to the Content Creation Manifesto Summary for links to #1-7.

Content Creation Manifesto #6 – Spelling counts

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You really do only have one chance to make a first impression. Trite, but true. But it's not just about grammar and spelling, it's about readability. Is your writing clear enough that your ideas can shine through? Do your readers ever have to stumble through run-on sentences or wonder exactly what you mean?

START NOW by using this five-step readability checklist to improve anything you've written. Style Guide readers, see page 99 for a link to the list of "troublesome words" and make sure you're not making these common writing errors.

Head back to the Content Creation Manifesto Summary for links to #1-7.

Content Creation Manifesto #5 – Some people won’t like you

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You are a unique individual with a specific set of opinions, experiences, skills and ideas. As my coach Charlie Gilkey says, you may even be a bit of a weirdo. Accept it, embrace it and let it show in your writing. The truer you are to your personality, the easier it will be for the right clients to find you.

START NOW by channeling more of your personality into your writing. Imagine that you’re talking to a close friend – a situation where you really feel like you can be yourself – and see what comes. Pare that down if it feels a bit too scary or revealing; you’ll still end up with an article that’s a truer reflection of you.

Head back to the Content Creation Manifesto Summary for links to #1-7.

Content Creation Manifesto #4 – Self-care is not an option

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Self-care is a necessity, whether you’re creating content, a business or a life! You cannot give back what you don’t have, and you cannot create something from nothing.

START NOW with some basic self-care strategies. Then as you go through your day today, stop and make one healthier choice. Reach for water instead of coffee – just once. Reach for whole-grain instead of refined – just once. Or reach for the pillow instead of the remote control – just once.

Head back to the Content Creation Manifesto Summary for links to #1-7.