The Right CTA Goes a Long Way

website call to action

Anyone who writes copy online will be familiar with the call to action, those few words that inspire, compel, urge or otherwise convince prospects that they need to talk to you.

According to Hubspot, there are three main types of calls to action, or CTAs: basic, multivariate and personal.

With the basic CTA, all visitors see the same message. Multivariate CTAs are similar to basic, except that there are at least two messages that are tested against the others. Typically, an equal number of random prospects will see one of the messages, and the CTA that converts best “wins.”

Personal CTAs are just that: geared to one person. However, various factors can be used to personalize the CTA. These include location, browser, if the prospect is new or has bought before, if the prospect has downloaded something before, and so on.

One of these three types is 202% more effective at converting. Which one?

Actually, Hubspot calls personal CTAs “Smart CTAs,” but I didn’t want to give it all away.

When you think about it, this makes sense. If you want to differentiate yourself, you need to tailor your message to your audience, and that means you need to know your audience — not necessarily intimately, but with enough knowledge that you can write a message that will resonate with the audience.

In recently querying book coaches. I started with this message: “We work with the same type of client. Your programs help people to write their books, and I ghostwrite books. Would you be interested in a short conversation to discuss how we can collaborate and better serve these clients? Thank you.” But then I would tinker with each message, sometimes mentioning that I edit manuscripts, and sometimes using words in their LinkedIn profile such as “You teach people a specific framework to write their book…”

Of the 20 people I queried, 12 responded, and I set up conversations with five of them, with two others saying they were interested. Of the five I spoke to, two have committed to a working relationship.

I’ve been told that’s a high rate of success, and I attribute that in part to my CTA.

Clearly, CTAs are important, so make sure yours are personal, tailored and smart.

Lee Barnathan

Lee Barnathan

Imagine cradling your book in your arms. See yourself thumbing through the pages, reading the words, recognizing that what’s contained therein is your story, laid out for all to see. This symbol of your life is part catharsis and part healing. Your journey is complete, and you’ve reached the people who needed to hear your story.

You have a story that just has to be told. If you don’t get it out of your head, you will regret it. You know that if people just could tap into the wisdom that's inside you, their lives would change for the better.

You’ve probably been feeling like you need to sit down and get it on paper. But you haven’t made it a priority. Maybe it’s because you hate writing or you don’t consider yourself a writer. Perhaps the thought of you dedicating hours a day to organizing and writing your story is too overwhelming when piled on top of life’s demands.

Or maybe you’re beset with terror: "What if my story isn’t interesting or compelling enough to reach a wide audience? Am I good enough to tell it? Can I make it irresistible, a must-read?"

You're not alone. The vast majority of people who have experienced what life has to offer have a story to tell that’s worthwhile, unique and compelling, but they never get to do it for a wider audience.

Why is it so hard? Why are you like the 97% of people who start their book don’t finish it? There is a world of difference between having the story in your head and being able to get it down on paper.

What most people don’t realize is that having the story and writing the story require two different skill sets.

The more worthwhile and compelling your story is, the more critical it is to have a professional writer give it the treatment it deserves so it will touch lives in the way you envision. That’s why it’s so important to partner with a specialist who’s an expert in the art of storytelling. Your story is too important to leave to an amateur.

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