Whenever you write anything for your business, whether it’s a Facebook post or a full-length blog, you naturally have some goal in mind. Maybe you want readers to click a link, to call you for an appointment, or to purchase something from your e-commerce store. Perhaps all you’re looking for is for them to share your post with their friends or subscribe to your email newsletter. Ultimately, this comes down to writing engaging calls to action.
No matter what your goal is, wishing alone won’t help you achieve it. You’ll need content that’s tailored toward achieving your desired outcome, right down to a clear and compelling call to action.
The call to action is an invaluable component of any content and can be especially impactful when it comes to ensuring alignment with broader business goals and measurable outcomes. The question is, what makes calls to action effective? Consider a few tips for writing engaging calls to action on social media.
The Call to Action, Explained
First and foremost, it helps to know what a call to action actually is.
Basically, calls to action are prompts designed to elicit a specific response from your audience. They aim to direct individuals toward taking a desired action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or engaging with content in some other way. Effective calls to action are clear, persuasive, and actionable.
It’s also important to note that, while calls to action obviously serve an important business purpose, they should be helpful to the reader, as well. A good call to action illuminates the next step in a user’s journey, helping them to identify what they need to do next in order to enjoy the value or benefits that you’re extending to them.
Pro Tips for Writing Engaging Calls to Action
There are a few recommendations to keep in mind when writing engaging calls to action for your business blog, social media posts, and email newsletters. Here are a few of our top recommendations.
1) Start with Your End Goal
First and foremost, it’s important to clarify exactly what you hope to accomplish with the content in question, as calls to action always need to be aligned with business objectives. For instance, if your primary goal is to compel a purchase, a “buy now” call to action is probably best. But if your goal is to raise awareness for your brand, a prompt for users to share or engage with your content in some other way might make more sense.
2) Use Strong Action Words
There’s no room for passive voice in your calls to action. Always use strong verbs to inspire forward motion: Buy, purchase, learn, discover, and call are all good options. You’ll often want to place these action words at the beginning of your sentence. Some examples:
- Sign up now to receive exclusive access to our latest offers and updates!
- Shop today and enjoy 20% off your first purchase.
- Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about upcoming events and promotions!
3) Offer Real Value
When creating a call to action, always ask yourself: What’s in it for the customer? What do they stand to gain by taking the desired action? Often, you’ll want to articulate the value proposition right there in your call-to-action text, reminding your customer of the incentive you’re providing. Note that in each of the three examples listed above, the action item results in some immediate benefit for the user.
If you can’t think of a compelling offer, or don’t know what your users stand to gain, then it may be that you need to go back to the drawing board with the entire content strategy.
4) Imply Urgency
Generally speaking, you want people to take a certain action now, not later. Underscore this point by using time-sensitive language: Sign up today to receive special offers or call now to claim your free consultation.
5) Keep it Clean and Uncluttered
Finally, remember that the best calls to action are nice and simple. Don’t overburden your readers with multiple choices. Lay it out for them plainly: You want them to do this one thing so that they might receive this one benefit. Usually, a call to action is best when it’s one or two sentences tops.
Get Help Writing Engaging Calls to Action
The best calls to action help drive meaningful results from your content strategy. If you’re ready to move beyond these tips for writing engaging calls to action, working with a team of content marketing pros who know how to compel bottom-line results, give us a ring. Call Grammar Chic, Inc. today to schedule your free content marketing consultation: 803-831-7444.
A freelance writer and journalist since 2000, Josh Hurst became a member of the Grammar Chic team in 2011. Initially serving as Associate Writer and Editor, Josh became the company’s Content Marketing Strategist in 2013. Additionally, he regularly writes about music, film, television, and literature for FLOOD Magazine and Slant Magazine.