Content Writer Micky’s Blog

Archive for January, 2009

A copywriter is a copywriter… right? Wrong! A copywriter specialising in print copywriting such as brochures doesn’t necessarily have the skills and knowledge needed to be a good copywriter for websites.

Sure, a ‘normal’ copywriter knows how to write a good piece of text that’s engaging and persuasive. But website copywriting involves a lot more than that.

A good website copywriter (in addition to writing good copy and understanding marketing):

• knows all the tricks to writing specifically for the web,
• knows how people behave online and how best to target and engage them,
• stays up to date with the latest best practices for websites and web content,
• is skilled and experienced in SEO and how to optimise web content in a natural way,
• ideally is also able to advise you on other matters relating to your website, such as design and usability.

These are just a few of the things you should expect from your web copywriter.

My name is Micky Stuivenberg. I’m an experienced website copywriter and content specialist. I’m also a web content editor, website consultant and certified Search Engine Optimiser.

Are you not getting many people on your website? Or are they leaving as soon as they arrive? Or maybe you have a new website but aren’t sure about the content.

Let me help you write your website content to make sure you’re using the right words and formats to get found in search engines, attract visitors, give them the information they want and convert them into customers.

I have been writing for the web since 2000 (see about me or portfolio) and know exactly what’s involved.

Don’t spend any more time struggling, let’s discuss what I can do for you. Let’s get you some structured, logical, optimised, well-written and easy to read website content! Contact me.

Here’s another finished project that I’d like to report on in my blog: a new website for Park Beach Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia.

I’ve designed the website myself and have written all the SEO content based on information provided by Park Beach Physio. The site is fully optimised in terms of design, page names and titles, META tags and content.

With just one back link at this point (from my site), the new website already ranks second, third and fourth on Google Australia for most of the important keyword combinations (variations of Coffs Harbour physiotherapy / physiotherapists Coffs Harbour and Pilates Coffs Harbour / Pilates classes Coffs Harbour etc.).

It even ranks #1 already if you search for ’sports physiotherapists coffs harbour’.  The homepage also immediately picked up a Google PR2 (page rank).

I’ve used a photo slideshow at the top of the website, instead of a static banner. We had a number of good images we could use and I thought this was a great way of showing them. They slowly roll from right to left and it’s in a loop so the same photos come around again when the series has reached the end. Visitors can look at the photos at their own leisure.

I created the moving photo banner (have a look) with Amara Flash Slideshow Builder, which is a great tool that doesn’t cost much and is very easy to use & flexible when you want to make changes later on.

The website contains all the information about Coffs Harbour Pilates classes at this fully equipped Pilates studio and it mentions and shows some of the equipment used. There’s emphasis on the fact that at Park Beach Physio, you get physiotherapy guided Pilates and an individual Pilates program based on your needs and limitations. It also has all the physiotherapy & Pilates pricing information, hopefully reducing some repetitive phone enquiries.

This project is another good example of a complete Web Design, SEO & Content package that I can do for clients.

Many other web design companies only hand a design (an empty template) to their clients and leave it up to them to populate the site with content. Often, the resulting pages are NOT optimised for search engines so are difficult to find in Google etc., and are written from the company’s point of view rather than speaking directly to the visitor/potential client. That business will then lose out on traffic, i.e. customers, i.e. potential buyers, i.e. money!

Interested in getting an optimised website and/or content, or need an SEO review or copywriting or editing services? Contact me, Content Writer, to discuss your project or ask for a quote.

At the start of a new year, I’ve made a few resolutions – or really, a list of things I’m determined to do in 2009, career-wise.

They’re all related to my diverse profession as a copywriter, website consultant, search engine optimiser, content specialist, public relations consultant and freelance journalist.

• After finishing an inspiring course run by wellknown journalist Valerie Khoo (SMH and other publications) of the Sydney Writers’ Centre, I’m determined to do more work as a freelance journalist in 2009. I’ve been a journalist before and have had my articles published, but not yet in Australia. This year, I’ll write more feature stories and WILL get some published in mainstream Australian publications!
• I know that having testimonials on your website helps your business. I too like to read feedback from clients on other companies’ websites to get a better feel for the business and its products or services. So over the next few weeks/months, I’ll contact some of my clients who have already told me they’re very happy with my services and try to get a few paragraphs from them to put on my website on a new Testimonials page.
• Starting a blog is a great idea. It lets you easily add fresh content to your website… if you post something new regularly, that is! I know I haven’t been blogging all that much yet, but this is also something that I’ll be trying to do in 2009: updating my blog more often.
• I regularly get emails asking for quotes for certain website, SEO or copywriting projects. I email back and forth with these people to really understand their requirements, and carefully construct an email with a quote that’s well thought through. Sometimes, I don’t receive any response, and I imagine these people had contacted many businesses requesting quotes, and they just happened to have found another service provider. However, deep down I know I shouldn’t assume that. What if the project is on hold? What if they misplaced my quote? What if my explanations weren’t clear enough or my quote not detailed enough? I have decided I should and will follow up on quotes I send out if I haven’t heard back within, say, a week, just in case I can do anything else to convince the potential client that hiring me for their project is a great idea!
• I live in Coffs Harbour on the East Coast of NSW, Australia, where I’ve been since early 2005. I love it here, our region is so beautiful! I often get frustrated by the lack of correct and up to date information available online about things to do and see in Coffs Harbour. Why isn’t all this available on the internet? Locals and visitors should be able to read about all those beautiful Coffs Harbour attractions and activities. So I’ve decided to start a blog to tell the world about our piece of paradise. My new blog is called ‘Things To Do In Coffs Harbour’ and is available at  www.thingstodoincoffsharbour.com.au. I’m not sure yet where I’ll find the time but I’m going to try to put up at least 4 or 5 new topics every week (I’ve just launched it a few days ago so don’t expect much just yet…)
• I’ve just found out there isn’t much available in terms of public relations providers in my area. In addition to my website, content, SEO, copywriting and journalism experience, I’ve also been involved in marketing communications and public relations. I know how to write an interesting media release that has a good chance of being picked up by the media rather than chucked in the bin. I’ve worked in the media myself too and know what’s expected. So that’s another area that I’m planning to target this year – public relations consultancy and the writing of media releases (press releases) for the regional market. Of course, I can and am happy to write media releases for businesses all over the world, but this is a niche that is easier to break into and I’m planning to create and optimise a special page on my website called Coffs Harbour public relations consultancy and media releases.

So there you have it, no fewer than 6 new year’s resolutions that I’ve set myself in order to make my Content Writer business (as part of Triple W Communications Pty Ltd) even more successful in 2009. I’ll report on the achievements of these targets throughout the year!