Which Way Do You Begin Your Messaging? "YOU" "YOUR" or "I" "MY" "OUR"

Have you ever noticed how intimate the connection is between you and your computer screen?

It's a very private one-on-one moment.  Just you and your thoughts about what you are looking at . Your readers experience this same intimacy and it's power is so great that you are throwing away opportunity if you don't use it wisely.

One major way to maximize this intimacy and create quality connections with your readers is to always put your reader first! Your readers are "in their heads."   They have all sorts of thoughts going around in their head and if they have a need for what you offer they only care about how what you have will help them!

How do you put your readers first?  Begin your postings and messaging with "you" and/or "your."  Write to your reader's mindset.  Any use of "I" - "We" - "Our" .. etc. just gets in your reader's way and distances your message from your reader.  And, that gives your readers a space in which to "disconnect" and move on!!!  You don't want that!

Here are a couple of examples.  See which creates a stronger connection with "you" Which one brings you into the message more. Which one is more intimate?

#1a
I have a wonderful product that cleans your car within minutes.  Would you like to make your car washing easier?
#1b
Would you like to make washing your car easier?  Take a look at this product that will clean your car in minutes!  Worked for me ... let me know what you think!
#2a
I want to invite you to a great training on marketing.  I am teaching how to increase your sales by 100% in a month.
#2b
You are invited to a great new training on marketing! If you'd like to increase your sales by 100% in a month you might want to check it out.  It will be taught by me, ________. Find out more here!
or
Does doubling your sales in one month interest you?   If so, you're invited to a training that will teach you how!  It's being taught by me, ______. Find out more here!

Added Value:  This way of initiating a conversation works great in live conversation as well!  Start all your conversations by putting who you're talking to first!

Sometimes you won't catch yourself because as the writer, you are in your mind also!   You have to make the effort and create a habit of thinking about your "reader's"  mindset before you start communicating..   One great habit to get into is to never push the "post" or "send" button until you re-read as though YOU were on the receiving end. 

Would love to get some feedback on how it goes for you.  Or if you agree or disagree.  Just leave a comment below. Thanks so much!

In the mean time,
keep you business garden growing,
margie hanson
www.todaysway.net

Does Your Website Make A Good "First Impression?"

What is the "first impression" people have when they land on your website?

• Do visitors know immediately that your business is a match for their need?  
• OR, do they have to guess if your site is right for them?

If you answered "yes" to the first option you are looking good.  If nothing else this one element can make or break you.  If visitors don't immediately see a match, very few will stick around to form any kind of impression.

First impressions are never so important as they are on your website.  AND believe it or not ... it's not how pretty your website looks that makes the first impression, but how well you connect to your visitor!

Websites that make good first impressions include:

1. An immediate clear, distinct and short welcome that lets visitors know they have found a match for their needs. Sometimes this can be done with a single sentence.  Sometimes you'll see bullet points that list several specifics.  In either case ... clear & distinct.  No thinking required.
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2. A welcome message that is easy to "see" .... does not requires "left to right" reading. The message is received via a single glance!  Cannot be missed!
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3. "Next steps"  that are  easy to see and access after landing on the website and connecting with the welcome message.  Not all will go to the same "next" destination,  so you must make choices visible for your visitors  that are, again, easy to be seen and opted for!  Have clear navigation choices.
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4. Self introductions, especially if you are a professional service.  Allowing your new visitors to get some idea of who you are... a photo, an audio,  and a video is ideal.  This is so important if you are in a business where personal chemistry matters, i.e. doctor, dentist, massage therapist,  etc. If you have this type of business, who "you" are is the elephant in the room until your prospective client can see & know a bit about you!   Show your visitors you understand that and you will make a good first impression. .
   
5. Clean and simple presentation of all content. Lots of white space is always good and makes it easy for visitors to see where you want them to first land and then easy for them to know their choices for their next landing spot. People like uncomplicated!! 
   
6. Up to date resources, i.e. have social media icons that go to live pages!  Have a blog and/or newsletter.  You don't have to have all the bells and whistles but do show that you are up to date what is going on in the technology industry.
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7. Current photos &  news items.  If you did a promo on the July 4th parade and your booth at the event on your home page and it is now, November, you are NOT making a good first impression.
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8. Content  that connects and speaks with your visitors!  Your website is a conversation with your visitors and they want to know you are talking to them about what they need.  They do not care about you talking about you.... hope you see the difference?
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9. An attractive color scheme is always a plus.  Same thing with the font face and size that you use. Make it easy on the eye(s). HOWEVER, as mentioned above .. this is secondary to all 1-8 items listed above. r.  

Remember, first impressions last. They form the base of trust for everything that happens afterwards.  In life AND on your website!! Give your website homepage a once over.  See what you discover.

Keep your business garden growing,
margie
www.todaysway.net