Tag Archives: Professional Content Writers

July 12, 2022 · 9:07 am

Branching Out: Expanding Your Niche Industry’s Blog

Every business can benefit from regular, consistent blogging. Depending on the industry you’re in, however, coming up with fresh written content may be easier said than done. Certainly, niche industries face some unique difficulties when it comes to generating new and interesting topics. And if you just rewrite the same blog post over and over again, you won’t be able to drive traffic or build a readership.

The good news? Nobody expects you to write blog posts that are accessible to the masses. After all, you’re not trying to market your brand to everyone. You’re trying to reach the consumers who might actually buy your products and services; in other words, you’re playing to your niche. With that said, there are a few ways you can carefully, consistently expand your readership while coming up with creative avenues for content.

Reference Current Events

One way to branch out from your normal content is to think about ways in which your products or services intersect with current events.

Of course, in our increasingly fragmented and polarized culture, this can be fraught. You definitely don’t want to be too reckless in pursuing controversy, but you can address the realities we’re all living with.

An example? Ever since COVID started, we’ve all experienced issues with supply chain disruptions. If your company makes logistics software, or if you offer a business model that somehow allows customers to bypass these supply chain disruptions, then that may be something worth blogging about.

Tie in Pop Culture

Another way to connect your blog to shared experiences is to address pop culture touchstones.

We’ve implemented this approach a few times at Grammar Chic, using then-hot properties like Mad Men and The Walking Dead to illustrate important content marketing principles. This can be an effective way to make niche content a little bit more universal.

Reflect Your Values

Most business owners have a number of core values, beyond just making a profit. And often, those values are somehow connected to the business itself.

For example, let’s say you run an HVAC maintenance company. And, let’s say you’re passionate about environmental stewardship. There are some obvious connections here. For example, you could write a post about ways for homeowners to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, perhaps gently tying in a call-to-action to consider energy efficient HVAC models. This is another powerful way to expand content beyond your niche.

Work with a Partner

These are just a few creative avenues for generating fresh new content ideas, even if it feels like your industry is pretty narrow.

Another way to come up with content ideas? Work with a pro. At Grammar Chic, Inc., our writers are skilled in brainstorming creative ways to illustrate the values of your products and services, above and beyond the basics of your industry.

We’d love to chat with you today about your business blogging needs. Contact us directly at 803-831-7444, or at www.grammarchic.net.

Leave a comment

Filed under Blog Writing

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

January 11, 2021 · 10:11 am

7 Reasons to Hire a Content Writer in 2021

When you run a small business, you know more about it than anyone in the world. But just because you know your business inside and out, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the best person to articulate its value proposition… especially not in writing.

That’s where a professional content writer can be invaluable: Translating your knowledge and your passion into messaging that crystallizes what you do and why customers should care.

Indeed, there are a number of reasons why business owners outsource their content writing needs… and, why enlisting a writer may be the best decision you make in the dawning days of 2021.

1) Bad writing will wreck your reputation.

Let’s be honest: Writing is a skill, and not everyone has it. If you’re not a natural-born writer, that’s totally okay! You obviously have plenty of other skills that have allowed you to launch a successful business.

But if you’re not a good writer, that’s something that’s important to acknowledge to yourself. See, if you do your own copywriting but it’s filled with circuitous grammar or sloppy mistakes, it could actually have a counterproductive effect.

For instance, it’s hard to say that your business stands for quality, consistency, or attention to detail if your writing is full of typos.

Hire a professional writer to make sure bad writing never tarnishes your good name.

2) Good writers will know how to connect.

It’s actually possible that you know your business or your industry a little too well.

This is a common issue among business owners, who get so excited talking about what they do that they load their language with jargon, technicalities, or sales-speak.

Sometimes, it takes an outsider to identify what really makes your company special, and to phrase it in a way that it connects with potential customers… not just explaining what you do, but what difference you can make in their lives.

3) Professional writers can help you get results.

Whether you’re writing a blog post, a press release, or an email newsletter, you’re probably not doing it just for kicks and giggles. In theory, your writing should always serve a specific purpose. You should be writing to generate leads, to close sales, to instill trust, or to build your reputation.

This requires more than just a knowledge of how your business works. It also requires knowing how to format your writing, how to build an argument, how to use persuasive language, and how to craft a perfect call to action.

These are tools in the professional writer’s toolbox, and they can ensure that your business writing actually accomplishes something.

4) Good writing is good SEO.

Which is more important: Writing content that appeals to human readers, or writing content that jibes with the Google search algorithms?

Trick question! Actually, by writing relevant and valuable content for your end user, you’ll be much better positioned to occupy prime search engine real estate.

The best writer will have the SEO knowledge it takes to draw the right kind of attention, from your target audience as well as from the search bots.

5) Hiring a writer will save you time.

Honest question: How long would it take you to write a really solid company blog post?

And what else could you do in that same amount of time?

One of the main reasons to outsource anything is to free yourself to focus on the essentials: Leading your team, strategizing for your business, or satisfying your customers.

Allow writers to take content creation off your hands.

6) A professional writer can address a range of content needs.

By forming a relationship with a professional writer, you can ensure you have someone you can call on for a range of needs, including developing new sales copy, composing tweets, and beyond.

As the writer gets to know your business better and better, they will become a trusted marketing partner, able to provide a range of marketing assets for use in your business.

7) Professional writers will work well with your other creative partners.

Believe us when we tell you that a professional writing company, like Grammar Chic, Inc., does a lot of collaborating with other agencies. These might include SEO consultants, web design houses, marketing firms, and beyond.

If you’re looking for a partner who can easily fold into that relationship, ensuring really optimal results across your different marketing activities, consider hiring a professional writer today.

We’d love to speak with you further about all the reasons it makes sense to outsource your writing needs. Reach out to Grammar Chic, Inc. today by calling 803-831-7444 or by visiting www.grammarchic.net.

Leave a comment

Filed under Content Writing, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

October 21, 2016 · 2:42 pm

Why Your Company Should Move Beyond Content Marketing Freelancers

home-office-336373_1280

These days, there aren’t many business owners who seriously dispute the value of original, branded content. It can be proven, with graphs and charts, that YouTube videos increase brand engagement and boost website traffic; that blog posts can be invaluable for bolstering SEO; that e-books and white papers can be unparalleled tools for generating leads. The list goes on and on.

What business owners do question is how best to achieve their content goals. Some take on the tough job of content creation themselves, which is something we admire. Others choose to enlist freelancers. Certainly, the Internet is full of resources that make it easy to track down freelance writers and content creators, and in some cases this approach can work wonderfully.

There is another option that we would obviously recommend most highly, which is engaging the services of a content writing firm—like Grammar Chic, Inc. For companies that have grown past freelancers, this is the logical next step. Allow us to provide a few reasons why.

As your content needs grow, you’ll need to hit bigger volume goals. A freelancer can work well when you’re looking for a blog post each week, but what happens when you need 40 articles churned out, a full website content revamp, or something similarly ambitious? A lone freelancer won’t be able to keep up with that brisk production pace, but a full writing team, with a deep bench of content creators, will.

Freelancers may not have the breadth of experience you need. An integrated marketing campaign will require a wide range of content—not just blog posts but e-books, marketing emails, FAQ pages, how-tos, and more. Each of these content types calls for a different skillset—something you’ll find on a writing team, but not necessarily with a lone freelancer.

Proving ROI is something many freelancers will struggle with. It is inaccurate to say that content ROI cannot be proven; in fact, Grammar Chic routinely provides clients with reports and statistics that show just what kind of results our content is getting. This is a capability that freelance writers simply might not have.

Writing companies will have a wider network of resources to call on. Looking to get a blog post syndicated, or to have a press release distributed through a reputable PR newswire? Freelancers may not have these connections—but a company like Grammar Chic does.

A writing company will provide critical dependability. The worst-case scenario, content-wise, would be for a writer to quit on you in the middle of a big content push, leaving you to find and train someone new. Freelancers are much more likely to do this than a writing company is; a company like Grammar Chic puts its professional reputation on the line when it enters into a contract with a new client, and always sticks to the promises made.

There are some other key distinctions we could name, too—and we’d love to talk with you about them one-on-one. Start the conversation today. Contact Grammar Chic’s deep bench of writers by calling 803-831-7444, or by visiting www.grammarchic.net.

 

1 Comment

Filed under Blog Writing, Brand Management, Business Writing, Content Marketing, Content Writing

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 9, 2016 · 11:17 am

How to Make Every Page a Landing Page

office-605503_1280

Landing pages have long been central to content marketing; the idea is to develop small, individual Web pages that are narrowly focused on accomplishing one specific goal—converting users into clients, most often. Grammar Chic works with clients to develop landing pages, and we have written on the topic extensively.

There is a new way of thinking about landing pages, however—a new mindset that suggests every page on a company website should be a landing page; every page should be specific and purposeful and attempt to convert users into customers.

How can you accomplish this, though? There are a few strategies that are important to making every page function as a landing page.

Make Every Page a Landing Page

First, make sure every page has a purpose. Basically, you should think of your website as a resource for visitors. Every page of it needs to offer value; it needs to help your user in some way—so how do the pages of your site help the visitor? If you can’t answer the question, maybe some of those pages need to go.

Align every page with your central branding. Are you branding your company in terms of thought leadership? Its small-company nimbleness? Affordability? Every page of your site should reflect that central branding message. For example, your About Us page shouldn’t just be a corporate history; it should underscore those branding points that are central to your marketing.

Give every page a goal. Having a purpose isn’t enough; your pages should also have goals. They should lead the visitor to a new level in the sales funnel—whether that’s getting them to read your blog, order a product, or pick up the phone and call you. Give each page an end game.

Ensure easy navigation. In leading visitors through the sales funnel, it’s important to provide easy ways for them to move from one page to the next, and to get supplemental resources as needed; this means sleek layout, but also smart internal and external linking. Provide readers with resources, but don’t distract them from the central topic and purpose of the page.

Finally, and most importantly, don’t forget the landing page basics. Every page of your site should have two key elements to ensure its landing page efficacy—full contact information for your website, and a strong, clear call to action. These elements are non-negotiable.

Talk with us about converting every page of your website into a landing page. Contact Grammar Chic at www.grammarchic.net or 803-831-7444.

6 Comments

Filed under Content Marketing, Content Writing, Web Content

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

July 15, 2015 · 2:32 pm

5 Tips for Addressing Bad Yelp Reviews

meatball-sandwich-bad-review-response-383x300

It’s the 21st Century business owner’s worst nightmare: You sign on to your company’s Yelp page and see that someone has left an absolutely scathing review. This can obviously take its toll on your ego, but this is about far more than mere vanity. The truth is, negative Yelp reviews can have a real, bottom-line impact on your business; they attract search engine users and effectively set the public perception of your brand.

But while a bad review can have devastating effect, it can also provide you with a great opportunity to do some customer outreach, damage control, and brand enhancement. It all boils down to how you respond.

  1. First, put the review into perspective.

There’s no question that a bad review can be harmful to your brand. We don’t want to sugarcoat it, but we also don’t want to overstate it. A litany of bad reviews could honestly sink your company, but a single bad review amidst dozens of positive ones is probably not going to be a big deal. Regardless, it’s important not to panic, or to let your emotions carry you away. Respond rationally and with a level head.

  1. Do your research.

Also respond with all available information. Read the review carefully, noting its tone, the specific complaints, the date of the review, and any other information about the incident posted. Make sure your response addresses the review with precision and accuracy. If you come across like you Just Don’t Get It, it will only make things worse.

Also research the Yelp reviewer, if possible. (For anonymous reviewers, you’ll be out of luck.) Is it someone who always leaves nasty reviews? If so, then maybe that can help your anger subside. You could just be dealing with a mean-spirited person, quite frankly. No reason to get your feelings hurt over that.

  1. Show some customer service.

Whether you feel like the negative review is warranted or not, it’s important to seize the opportunity to treat your customer respectfully; apologize, and ask what you can do to make the situation right, or at the very least offer an explanation and sincere remorse that the customer’s experience was not better.

  1. Remember who you’re writing for.

In any and all writing, audience is important. When you’re addressing a Yelp review, remember that 90 percent of the Yelp audience is people who just read reviews, not people who write them, and that most of these people still have an unformed opinion of your company. That’s who you’re writing to, really. That’s who you’re trying to impress. Showing warmth, patience, and a customer-centered perspective can more than make up for the bad review itself.

  1. Don’t engage hotheads.

Every now and again, you may see an all-caps, foul-mouthed review that’s obviously just designed to be incendiary. Yelp does a pretty good job of filtering these out, but if you do run across one, it may be best not to engage at all. It’s hard to come across well when you sink to the level of addressing flamers and hotheads.

A bonus tip: You can enhance your brand’s reputation and minimize the damage of a bad review by providing your customers with plenty of positive content. To learn more, contact Grammar Chic today at www.grammarchic.net or 803-831-7444.

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Brand Management, Content Marketing

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

June 17, 2015 · 11:07 am

7 Online Reputation Management Guarantees

iStock_000026784544XSmall

You know what they say about sure things—death and taxes and all of that. Guarantees and certainties are especially hard to come by on the Internet, where the rules change every day and there are always exceptions.

Yet, when it comes to building and protecting a sterling reputation for your brand, there are a few things that can be said without hesitation.

  1. You will get Googled.

By now you shouldn’t doubt it: Consumers who have easy access to the Internet, on their smartphones or tablets or PCs, will absolutely use search engines to research your company. And how many consumers do you know who don’t have Internet access through their smartphones or tablets or PCs?

People want to know that they’re spending their hard-earned money on something reliable. And for better or worse, they trust Google to tell them that.

  1. Your Page 1 Google results matter.

Not so much page 2, and definitely not page 7, but that first page of Google… that’s the one everyone’s going to see. And what it says will set the first impression of your business. In a very real way, those first ten or so search results will determine whether people feel confident doing business with you, or otherwise.

So what’s on your first page of search results? The company website, Facebook page, and LinkedIn profile? Great! Some competitor sites, bad news headlines, or negative Yelp reviews? Not so great.

  1. You can sort of control what’s on your first page of Google results.

It’s not precise and it’s not guaranteed—Google’s algorithms work in mysterious ways, after all—but there are certainly actions you can take to ensure that solid, strong, brand-enhancing content shows up for your business. The first step, of course, is to actually create content, and plenty of it: Blogging, robust evergreen Web content, and even press releases can be beneficial. Also make sure you’re cognizant of SEO concerns—though we’ll let you in on a secret: If you focus on quality branded content that your human readers will use, you’re probably going to be okay.

  1. Regular social media posting is vital.

You’re not just going to undergo Google scrutiny. You’re going to get checked out on Facebook, too, and perhaps also LinkedIn. We’re not saying you have to post ten times a day to every single social network in existence. We’re just saying that online reputation management is proactive. It’s about going out of your way to demonstrate thought leadership. And social media offers you a perfect platform to do so.

  1. Listening is key.

Don’t just talk at your social media followers. Hear what they have to say—and, unless you’re dealing with trolls and flamers, respond in kindness. Remember that online reputation management and social media marketing are both flipsides to customer service.

  1. Reviews matter.

Truly. What your Yelp page or your Google rating says about you goes a long way toward building customer confidence—or not. Directing your customers to leave reviews, perhaps even offering some incentive for honest feedback, can be a huge way to bolster online reputation.

A caveat here: Reviews really do matter, though not necessarily to the point some ORM firms would have you believe. A hundred nasty reviews can sink your business; one or two negative reviews, amidst 30 positive ones, aren’t going to ruin you. Don’t freak out.

  1. Messaging is Job #1.

The secret to protecting your online reputation, in a nutshell: Ensure that everything your brand says on Twitter, Facebook, the blog, etc. is on-message, aligned with your corporate values, mission, and voice. Choose the kind of brand you want to build, then stay true to it.

For all of this, content creation is critical—so don’t mess around: Contact the Grammar Chic content writing team today at www.grammarchic.net, or 803-831-7444.

Leave a comment

Filed under Brand Management

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,