Content Sells: Attract, Convert & Keep Your Ideal Clients with Content Marketing That Works

One of the most valuable pieces of content that we all have as small business owners that we are often not making the best use of, and that can be user-generated, are our Customer Stories. In this episode we look at the role and importance of having customer stories in your content marketing and how to get awesome customer stories, testimonials and case studies.  

Content design can really make us stand out in a good or bad way. It’s not an area in which we want to compromise. Our websites are often one of the first types of content our prospects see and so in this episode we invited a successful web designer to give you tips on the design elements that really make websites convert. Greg Merliees of Studio1Design is our guest.  

We pick up this episode with three more not-usual content ideas that your customers will love. In this episode we explore real-time content (which is generating a real buzz), user-generated content (a great way to get your community to help you create valuable content and behind-the-scenes-content (an innovative way to lift the lid on your business and to draw your customers closer to you by letting them 'behind the curtains'. Great download bonus.

We’re talking about innovative content ideas that are either not very well known or are new and could be just the right thing for you to try out. We explore interactive content ideas like surveys, polls, competitions and quizzes and Adopted Content - content that you don't create but you curate and collate, add value to and present to your ideal customer. Great download bonus.

Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon pick their favorite episodes of Content Sells.

Everybody wants traffic – more visitors to their site, their optins, their sales pages etc. But very few people are actually really prepared to turn that traffic into sales. In this episode you learn what you must do BEFORE you drive traffic to your offers to boost your conversion rates, reduce your costs and create content that sells. In this episode, your hosts Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon share the importance of your traffic building your email list, the numbers you need to know, how you can figure out what you can afford to pay for a lead, the three channels for traffic and some of their favourite and top performing traffic channels and strategies. Plus, included in this episode is a free download – Know Your Numbers Cheat Sheet Listen to this episode to hear more about: How to calculate cost per lead and revenue per lead The steps you need to complete BEFORE you spend a dollar on traffic The three traffic channels – owned, earned and paid Specific traffic strategies that work The most trusted channels and how to leverage them How to get more referrals and word of mouth The very best time in the sales process to ask for a referral The power of Joint Ventures 

We love content marketing and we KNOW that great content definitely sells… BUT… it can seem like there’s always a new deadline. Always a new piece of content to create. And, because it’s so important to be consistent with your content, and because your audience has an expectation, it can become stressful trying to keep up and be fresh and creative. So how do you avoid burnout, or feeling like you are not getting anywhere? In this episode of Content Sells, your hosts, Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon explore a brand new model that will help you maintain your enthusiasm for your content and creating more sustainable and effective content. Plus, included in this episode is a free download – a visual summary of the Sustainable Content Model. Listen to this episode to hear more about: The 5-Part Sustainable Content Model How to generate great ideas Tips for capturing ideas at the initial “inspiration” phase The step you MUST put in between brainstorming and creation to get better results and create content that really connects and sells The two steps in the Sustainable Content Model that most people struggle with or just leave out – and why they are so crucial The role of celebrating and looking back to help you move forward The inside story on how a new model gets created

We’ve been getting some great questions from listeners, so we decided to host a Content Sells Q&A session every once in a while. Today, your hosts, Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon will be answering Olga’s question about finding images for her blog and website – including our top resources for paid stock images, free and public domain images and also how to create your own images. We also answer Karen’s question about what to do if you’re not a natural content creator and Sandra’s question about pop ups  - we’re sharing what tools to use, what makes an effective popup and what you want to avoid so you don’t annoy your visitors (we’ve all had those annoying pop ups, right!). And we’ve got some pointers for Amanda who has struggled with creating her customer avatar. Seeing how other people solve problems that you may also have is a great way to learn and we hope you enjoy this Q&A episode. Plus, included in this episode is a free download relating to Olga’s question about where to find great images - 20 Great Image Ideas for Your Content Marketing  Listen to this episode to hear more about: Where to find inexpensive (or free) stock photos How to make your content more visual (and why that’s important) The kind of visual that will increase engagement Creative Commons and Public Domain How to use your own images Ways to have your community create your images Tips for creating content, even if you’re not a natural at it The power of re-purposing Why repetition is good Pop up do’s and don’ts 7 essential steps when creating your customer avatar

How do you create an effective Call To Action? What can you do to get more people clicking on your links, watching your videos and buying your stuff? In this episode of the Content Sells Podcast, your hosts Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon share some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to motivating your customers and prospects to take action. Plus, what you can do to create a compelling call to action that gets your more leads, more sales and more happy customers. Includes a free downloadable checklist you can use when creating your next call to action – whether you’re writing an email, creating your website, making your next video or even in your next sales meeting. Once you know the mistakes to avoid and the must-haves to include, you will see your open rates, click through rates, conversion rates and satisfactions rates go up. Plus, included in this episode is a free download – The Anatomy of a Strong Call To Action (includes a 13-point Checklist). Listen to this episode to hear more about: The definition of a Call To Action (CTA) The surprising results adding emotion to your CTA will have on your results Why command verbs are your best friend when it comes to conversion The single word you can add to your CTA to increase optins The “next step” mistake most people make without realising The #1 mistake when it comes to using optin buttons How to use your P.S. in emails more effectively How you can optimise conversions in emails, websites, blog posts and more by making one small tweak The Anatomy of a Strong Call To Action (includes a 13-point checklist) Also mentioned in this episode: IPA Databank Study on emotion in advertising Results of using “Get” in Call To Action

Like Apple’s “Here’s to the crazy ones,” a manifesto – a public declaration of intent – can be what separates your business from the crowd. A well-designed manifesto can connect you and your team to your mission statement, clarify your goals, build stronger connections with your ideal clients, cement customer loyalty, and attracting a tribe. In this episode of the Content Sells podcast, Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon go over the steps to creating a manifesto for your business - from getting in a writing headspace to distribution, and give examples of several strong business manifestos in action today. Listen to this episode to hear more about: Word choice Design – format, appearance, and distribution Types of manifestos and where they’re best used Selling your manifesto (or not) Polarising your audience Also mentioned in this episode: Mailchimp Aweber Vertical Response Salesforce Ontraport Active Campaign Infusionsoft Constant Contact Convertkit (for bloggers)