As you’re reading this… you’re experiencing the power of the written word. It keeps you engaged, makes you come back, and creates trust… so that you’re willing to buy (or try) the author’s products and services.

These days, good content is extra important since it offers your customers and prospects something to talk (tweet) about and post to their Facebook page… which will put you on the radar of many new prospects (yay!)

Look, I know writing stuff is not easy for everyone. But it’s worth the time and energy. It really is.

And you don’t need to become a best selling author overnight (though that would be cool!) Creating content can be as easy as posting your company news to Facebook, commenting on your favorite blog, or writing an article on a topic you’re passionate about.

The good news? We’ve found that the more you write the easier it becomes! It’ll be the same for you… just give it try and then stick with it. You’ll connect with your customers, generate leads, and bring in sales. Not right away… but it will. Since content is marketing.

Not sure how to get started? Here are a few helpful posts we’ve done on this very topic:

Think Like a Publisher. It’s All About Your Website Content

Why Aren’t You Doing Article Marketing? You Should Be!

Don’t Be a Blogger… Be a Blog Commenter Instead!

Why take our word for it? Here are two other great blogs that help remind us that content is king!

Copyblogger – making content writing easier

Junta42 – learn about content marketing

Happy writing!

It doesn’t matter what type of online business you have… just remember it’s all about the content. The text, pictures, and graphics of your website are responsible for informing, engaging, and prompting visitors to stick around and take the actions you care about… like signing up for a newsletter, giving you a call, or buying your products!

Once you realize how important your website content is then my next comment should be obvious: you’re actually a publisher. That’s right… a publisher. Why? Because publishers are always thinking about content and that’s what you need to do too!

Here are some guidelines to help you think like a publisher:

• Keep your target audience in mind. When writing your website copy, always use words and phrases that reflect how your prospects actually talk. When in doubt, just think about the conversations you have every day with people interested in your offerings and write like that. But please no “biz-speak”… you know, a formal tone with lots of big words that no one uses in real life. Unless your target audience really speaks that way.

• Write content that is engaging and personal. Always write in the “active” voice. For example, the phrase: “you can” is more engaging than “enable you to”. See what I mean? And write as if you’re speaking to an actual person. Notice how I use the words “you” and “your” all the time? I could instead use “one” or “a person”… but that’s so darn impersonal.

• Update and add website content often. This keeps prospects coming back to see what’s new and interesting. For example, you can update product pictures on your home page, add customer reviews and testimonials, provide tips and best practices, and even answer more frequently asked questions. Depending on your business, you should update and add content weekly or at least monthly.

• Grammar and formatting are important too. Please, please, please… no grammar or spelling errors. And keep paragraphs short and easy to read with lots of bullet points when it makes sense. Remember, people don’t like to read on the Internet… they browse and scan instead. Make it easy for them and they’ll want to read more!

• Do it yourself or have someone do it for you. There’s no shame in needing help with your content. Maybe you’re not a good writer or graphic designer. Why should you be? Just find someone that is for what you need help with. These days there are many talented people available and affordable too. Need copy writing help? Place an ad on www.freelancewritinggiggs.com, www.elance.com, or www.craigslist.com for starters.

Lots of good content (especially text) is also critical to keeping the search engines happy. And a happy search engine means prospects will find your business when searching the Internet.

The bottom line: when prospects and search engines like your content then a wonderful thing happens… you generate lots of business!