[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","url":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/writing-for-the-web-a-valuable-marketing-tip\/","name":"Writing for the Web \u2013 A Valuable Marketing Tip","headline":"Writing for the Web \u2013 A Valuable Marketing Tip","about":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Web_content","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Writing"],"dateModified":"2014-03-31","datePublished":"2014-03-31","isAccessibleForFree":"true","copyrightYear":"2014","articleBody":"During my years studying at Davenport College of Business, I took a Business Letter Writing course. It was there that I learned a valuable marketing tip about writing for others instead of myself. Using this strategy in the business world has had a big influence on my successful career journey, and continues to positively influence that path today.  It\u2019s about your readers, not about you!  Here is a paragraph taken from a website\u2019s page that is meant to attract family-owned businesses. Many words have been omitted to protect the privacy of the site:  We not only run our own \u2026 business, we have helped hundreds of such businesses \u2026 over the years. We can assist you with strategy and executing sound .. decisions to \u2026 achieve the business \u2026 objectives and keep you out in front of the other guys. We are your trusted \u2026 team \u2026 Our track record as problem solvers \u2026 has helped take many \u2026 businesses like yours to the next level.  On the surface, the writing seems very good. Right? But notice the number of times each of these words is mentioned:  \u201cwe\u201d \u2013 4 \u201cour\u201d \u2013 2 \u201cyou\u201d \u2013 2 \u201cyour(s)\u201d \u2013 2 With 6 words about the company, and only 4 addressing the reader, who is this paragraph really about, the company or the readers?  Subliminal but very important The business letter writing course taught me, and various studies since have confirmed, that frequent use of the first person (I, we, us) in writing sends a subliminal, but extremely important message: The writer is far more important than the reader. If you wish to see how this knowledge can have a positive effect on your reader\u2019s thoughts \u2014 and ultimately your website conversions \u2014 read on!  Saying the same thing \u2026 differently Let\u2019s revisit the paragraph above and say the same thing, only differently. This time, the emphasis will be more on the reader than the writer:  Like you, we run our own closely held \u2026 business. Dealing first-hand with the issues unique to this business category has resulted in invaluable lessons learned \u2014 lessons that in turn have helped hundreds of client businesses \u2026 over the years. You will receive assistance with everything from strategy and executing sound .. decisions to \u2026 achieving business \u2026 objectives. Objectives that keep you out in front of the other guys. You can depend on us as part of your trusted \u2026 team \u2026 Our track record as problem solvers \u2026 has helped take many \u2026 businesses like yours to the next level.  Now let\u2019s count the words:  \u201cwe\u201d \u2013 1 \u201cour\u201d \u2013 2 \u201cyou\u201d \u2013 4 \u201cyour(s)\u201d \u2013 2 Total counts for we\/our: 3 Total counts for you\/your(s): 6  Now the paragraph is really about the reader! Try using this marketing tip, even if it is in an email meant to convince someone. You may also discover this approach results in having a positive influence on your career journey!","description":"SEO and Top Of The List President Beverly Mapes shares tips for writing successful web content that speaks directly to your readers.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/themes\/totl\/graphics\/totl-logo.png","license":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/themes\/totl\/graphics\/totl-logo.png#WebPage","name":"Top Of The List transparent logo","height":"108","width":"225","creator":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/"},"copyrightNotice":"Copyright 2015 Top Of The List","acquireLicensePage":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/contact-us\/","creditText":"Logo graphic created by Top Of The List","@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/themes\/totl\/graphics\/totl-logo.png"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/themes\/totl\/graphics\/totl-logo.png"},"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","name":"TOTL Address","addressCountry":"US","addressLocality":"Grand Rapids","addressRegion":"Michigan","postalCode":"49506","streetAddress":"2513 Lake Dr SE","@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/#PostalAddress"},"url":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/","alternateName":"TOTL","name":"Top Of The List","description":"We are a full service digital marketing agency based in Grand Rapids, MI. A complete suite of internet marketing services includes SEO, PPC management, local SEO, consulting, and more to help you reach the top of the list!","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/TopOfTheList\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/TopOfTheListLLC","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TopOfTheListSEO\/"],"contactPoint":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/#ContactPoint","legalName":"Top Of The List","foundingDate":"2006-01-01","areaServed":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q30#Country","numberOfEmployees":"4","@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/"},"subjectOf":{"@type":"Blog","image":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/themes\/totl\/graphics\/totl-logo.png"},"url":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/blog\/","name":"Top Of The List Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/"},"description":"Explore a wealth of information including effective online marketing strategies and tips for improving overall website presence. Check out the latest happenings here at Top Of The List, too!","inLanguage":{"@type":"Language","name":"English","sameAs":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/English_language","@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/#English"},"creator":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/"},"isAccessibleForFree":"true","audience":["https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q6859454","https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/avoiding-scams-senior-citizens\/#Audience1","https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/strategies#smallbusiness"],"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/blog\/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/bev-1-240x300.png","license":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/terms-conditions\/","name":"Bev Mapes","height":"300","width":"240","acquireLicensePage":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/contact-us\/","@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/bev-1-240x300.png"},"url":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/our-team\/beverly\/","name":"Beverly Mapes","description":"Bev founded Top Of The List in 2006 and has over 25 years of experience working with technology. In her free time, she competes in dog agility competitions with her Golden Retrievers, Cosmo and Finn.","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beverly.mapes","workLocation":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/#GrandRapids","worksFor":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/"},"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/about-us\/our-team\/beverly\/#Person"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/wp-content\/themes\/totl\/graphics\/totl-logo.png"},"audience":{"@type":"Audience","name":"Content Creators","@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/writing-for-the-web-a-valuable-marketing-tip\/#ContentCreators"},"inLanguage":{"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/#English"},"@id":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/blog\/making-content-about-your-visitors\/"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Writing for the Web \u2013 A Valuable Marketing Tip","item":"https:\/\/topofthelist.net\/blog\/making-content-about-your-visitors\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]