You're spot on; less is more. The more clarity you are, the more you're understandable. Plus focusing on a community is a kind of social proòf and shows your impacts. Thanks for this👏
I dont like CTA, because I dont wanna sound like ”do what I tell you to do”. 😩 (people always complaied in my younger years that i’m too bossy, for some reason.)
Love this post, thanks Veronica. Interesting how you have a different strategy for each platform. Great idea. I need to get a bit more organised with my strategy.
I needed this advice to consider how to juice up a CTA and just implemented it for "subscribers" on my jasonzguest.com.
Your advice reminds me of the cool discussion of "Jobs to be done" by the late Clayton Christianson. How can we all answer this question: What job is a person hiring you to do, if, let's say, they "subscribe" to your newsletter (or meet your key CTA)?
Beautiful piece here. I believe these strategies would help others grow and be successful because the tips are gold mine. Our CTA should be irresistible and it starts by bringing curiosity to our audience
As you recommend, I'm trying to write an engaging CTA so it is not generic or boring. So far, the text I wrote is:
"This newsletter is a logbook in which I reflect on the central insights of my life journey and share the tools that have helped me shift my mindset.
If you're here, chances are your journey is similar. If you have also decided to adopt optimism as a philosophy of life, subscribe to the newsletter and let's walk the path together."
I would love to have your feedback if it is possible! Have a nice day!
Thank you for sharing and I'm super happy to share my feedback and tips.
- I love the element of community "walk the path together"
- The second part is very reader-centric, which is great.
Things for you to think about:
- This feels like the longer version: how can you streamline it?
- Make the text more concise and avoid repetition of words (newsletter for instance)
- The second part is stronger than the first one: you want to hook your readers from the first sentence "If optimism is your philosopy of life, subscribe and let's walk the path together."
Yes, you are right! Thanks a lot for such valuable feedback! I am looking at how to edit the welcome page so I can include this hook, but I can't find it. Do you have an article or tutorial about it?
It’s so hard but so true you need to stay true to yourself. But when reflecting I realise how immune I am to all these things! I’m going to start by focusing on what I would want to see and to attract a little community that feels like a good place to start 😊
As always, you're to the point and you offer very pratical tips. This is very much thought-provoking and now, I'm going to give more love to my CTAs ;)
Some powerful tips here, Veronica - especially focusing in on the person reading. I usually hate CTAs (others and my own) because they are so repetitive. They are either irritating or invisible. Let's simplify and spice them up!
You're spot on; less is more. The more clarity you are, the more you're understandable. Plus focusing on a community is a kind of social proòf and shows your impacts. Thanks for this👏
Clarity always wins and the same applies to CTAs.
Give people one option: the one with the biggest impact.
I've bookmarked this 📌. I'm sure I will need it soon.
Wohooo, let's rock those CTAs!
Loved it! And that article at the bottom is pure gold. Well done 👏👏👏
https://medium.com/a-smiling-world/how-i-got-a-book-deal-with-the-worlds-top-publisher-the-sexy-story-and-the-unsexy-one-5e2887724631
Thank you, Irina!
The non-sexy is the new sexy ;)
I dont like CTA, because I dont wanna sound like ”do what I tell you to do”. 😩 (people always complaied in my younger years that i’m too bossy, for some reason.)
Hahaha, they can sound bossy but you can also make it softer, like a subtle next step.
It doesn't have to be "sign up here NOW" 😅
Love this post, thanks Veronica. Interesting how you have a different strategy for each platform. Great idea. I need to get a bit more organised with my strategy.
Thanks Colin!
It's always good to "reorganize the closet" 😉
Thanks for sharing Veronica. I'm implementing these asap!🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Fantastic, May, go get them 🔥
I needed this advice to consider how to juice up a CTA and just implemented it for "subscribers" on my jasonzguest.com.
Your advice reminds me of the cool discussion of "Jobs to be done" by the late Clayton Christianson. How can we all answer this question: What job is a person hiring you to do, if, let's say, they "subscribe" to your newsletter (or meet your key CTA)?
Thanks for a great read!
Awesome, Jason!
That was exactly my goal: inspire a discussion, a thought-provoking debate and helps us all raise our bar higher.
The CTA is a huge component in our writing yet very often it becomes an afterthought.
Thanks for sharing the point about "Jobs to be done," love it!
Beautiful piece here. I believe these strategies would help others grow and be successful because the tips are gold mine. Our CTA should be irresistible and it starts by bringing curiosity to our audience
Thank you, Precious!
You said it: make it irresistible and not an afterthought.
Thanks, I've been wondering how to make mine better.
You are welcome, MaryClare!
Any tips you are going to implement?
This is such valuable info, thank you! 💛
You are welcome, Laia 🫶🏻
Thanks for these tips, they are exactly what I need today!!!
Fantastic!
Which tip are you going to try in your CTAs?
As you recommend, I'm trying to write an engaging CTA so it is not generic or boring. So far, the text I wrote is:
"This newsletter is a logbook in which I reflect on the central insights of my life journey and share the tools that have helped me shift my mindset.
If you're here, chances are your journey is similar. If you have also decided to adopt optimism as a philosophy of life, subscribe to the newsletter and let's walk the path together."
I would love to have your feedback if it is possible! Have a nice day!
Hi!
Thank you for sharing and I'm super happy to share my feedback and tips.
- I love the element of community "walk the path together"
- The second part is very reader-centric, which is great.
Things for you to think about:
- This feels like the longer version: how can you streamline it?
- Make the text more concise and avoid repetition of words (newsletter for instance)
- The second part is stronger than the first one: you want to hook your readers from the first sentence "If optimism is your philosopy of life, subscribe and let's walk the path together."
Less is more ;)
Keep refining it - you are on the right path!
Cheers
Yes, you are right! Thanks a lot for such valuable feedback! I am looking at how to edit the welcome page so I can include this hook, but I can't find it. Do you have an article or tutorial about it?
Hi,
You can find it in your publication Settings > Navigation.
Make sure you also update the short description of your Newsletter (also in Settings) with 1 sentence - short and sweet.
If you haven't, I shared my Substack strategy and the feedback was great because it's very practical:
https://veronicallorcasmith.substack.com/p/you-can-steal-my-substack-strategy
It’s so hard but so true you need to stay true to yourself. But when reflecting I realise how immune I am to all these things! I’m going to start by focusing on what I would want to see and to attract a little community that feels like a good place to start 😊
That's a great approach, Grace: start with the impact you want to make and then build around it. Your heart is in the right place 🫶🏻
As always, you're to the point and you offer very pratical tips. This is very much thought-provoking and now, I'm going to give more love to my CTAs ;)
Thank you, Sylwia!
Look forward to seeing how you take your CTAs to the next level!
Was there any in particular that stood out?
I liked the idea of adding a visual to the button. I'll try it for sure.
This is really helpful
Is two too many in a CTA?
“Listen to the podcast, read the book”
Hi Nia,
Thank you!
I think it's all about the context but something that could work well, is:
"Something to listen...
"Something to read...
And keep it as 2 options.
You can have multiple things provided it's not confusing.
- Beginners: check my "get started guide"
- Advanced: download my course X
Hope it helps!
Some powerful tips here, Veronica - especially focusing in on the person reading. I usually hate CTAs (others and my own) because they are so repetitive. They are either irritating or invisible. Let's simplify and spice them up!
Yes!! Thank you, Lisa.
I think it's about about keeping your style and reflecting it in the CTA but it's still part of our writing and a very important part of it.
Look forward to seeing your CTAs in your upcoming newsletters ;)
Challenge accepted!😬
Awesome tips, thank you Veronica.
Super!
Anything in particular you are thinking of changing or implementing?
Customising my buttons and a touch of some humour in the writing.
Awesome! The customized buttons do stand out.
Yeah, and thank you for your constant inspirational articles on your growth as a writer.
You are welcome!
My vision here is to create a community of writers and creators where we all share our tips and what works for us so that we grow together.
Cheers!
That's awesome and would be really helpful for everyone involved!