This is the second part of the series “How to Write for the Web”, the step-by-step blueprint for writing killer copy.

Spend Most of Your Time on the Headline
About 5% of the people will read your copy but 85% will read the headline. Spend as much time as you can coming up with a good headline. Many copywriters recommend writing at least 50 headlines before choosing one.

Anticipate Objections
Prospects often make the same objections. You know your market better than anybody so come up with some common objections that prospects will make and answer them. Every product has flaws. Some companies write their copy hoping that the readers don’t find any objections. Big mistake, they will. So you better include all the objections in your copy and resolve them.

Make Your Copy Credible
Never make anything up and don’t write things that sound too good to be true. If you are showing some case studies from people who have obtained great but uncommon results, make sure you make it very clear. People will think “well, I might not be able to get those same results, but if I could just get half of it…”

Provide All the Information that Your Prospects Need to Make a Decision
It is very common to find websites that feature products with incomplete information. If you are doing it on purpose hoping people will call you to ask you questions, forget it. It doesn’t work like that. You don’t make deals by hiding information.

Minimize Risk
If you sell software, offer a trial period before people have to pay for it. If you sell informational products, offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee and let them keep your product just for trying it (it’s not like you are going to hack their computers and delete the ebook that they bought from you anyway). If you sell shippable goods offer 100% money back and, if possible, free return shipping. If you offer consulting services, offer a free consultation. Your prospects don’t know you, help build trust in you. Give something before you expect to receive.

Make them “Feel” the Product
Let’s say you sell handbags online. People can’t touch them so you should write copy that appeals to the senses. Talk about the smell of fine leather, the texture of the outside, and the softness of the cloth. Make them “feel” it.

Use Social Proof
We live in a community. We care about what others do. If a new restaurant opens in your town, you walk by on Friday night, and it’s empty, chances are you will never give it a try. Now let’s say that the same restaurant opens and every time you drive by you see a huge line of people waiting. You call to make a reservation and they are booked for the next two months. I bet that now you can’t wait to get in. The restaurant is the same but your perception of it is not. Use social proof to show your website visitors that others are buying your product and love it. Use testimonials, case studies, and a list of your clients.

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