I know how it is. You read blog posts from other businesses and they sound so fantastic, and make everything sound so appealing that you just want to be able to write blogs with personality like they do. “If only I wrote my blog like that” you tell yourself, “I would have clients queuing around the block to get their bits waxed and their eyebrows done.”
The trouble is, you’ll never get anywhere if your blog (or your sales page, or your website) sounds just like someone else’s. It will just sound like a completely watered down version of what they’ve written, and the spark of individuality that makes you and your business special will be completely lost in an attempt to recreate someone else’s thoughts.
Don’t tell me that’s what you really want?
So where do you start in creating a blog that’s bursting with personality and gets people reading?
Writing blogs with personality starts with YOUR personality!
You have to learn to trust yourself and your own voice because that’s what will make your blog and any other business copywriting stand out in a sea of samey, dull blogs that just talk about the latest offer or discount. Be different, don’t be afraid to get down, dirty and personal and just have FUN with it.
Write your blog posts as if you’re talking to a friend
…you kind of are! So, when you write the posts, imagine you’re talking to a friend. You’ve got a new treatment on? Explain it in your own words and not the press release or packaging words. How would you get your best mate in to try it? What would you say to her?
Talking to your readers and potential customers in your own voice helps them to bond with you before they even meet you.
Be honest in your writing
Polished, elegant blogs probably look fantastic but they are really hard to gel with. You feel like you’re reading an advert. Have you ever read a blog like GOOP, the lifestyle blog written by Gwyneth Paltrow? It’s beautiful, sophisticated and full of information, but is it engaging? Do you get a feel for Gwynnie when you read it? I don’t feel any personality at all.
Don’t be afraid to have opinions, share the things that have gone wrong, your bad days. People will relate to that as well as sharing the successes and good news. Trying to appeal to absolutely everyone is a waste of time, so if your honesty annoys people, let them go and make the most of the people who keep coming back to find out what you’re up to!
Talk to one person
Make it sound as if it was written for your reader by talking to one person when you write and always write in the singular (you) rather than talking to “you guys” or “everybody”. Start by imagining the person you’re writing to and imagine her reading your words.
Use lots of images in your blog posts
You’re in the perfect business to be able to post lovely images. Pictures of the salon, and your products artistically arranged; satisfied clients finished looks, and even free stock images are all really good to add sparkle to a blog.
There are some good images at:
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
and if you want to pay a (negligible) amount for slightly better images, try: https://www.dollarphotoclub.com
Happy blogging! If you have any questions or just want to chat, pop over to the Facebook Group Copywriting for Clever Girls and join in, or comment here and I’ll get back to you ASAP.