If you’re honest…You’re not *entirely* sure what you’re doing with your website copy.
You’ve gotten some good feedback, but it could be converting better.
You don’t have time to weed through courses and articles about best copywriting practices — wondering if they even apply to you as a therapist, coach, or healer.
You can’t spill your life story all over the internet, right?
7 SCARY mistakes you’re making on your homepage and how to fix ’em
plus: how to know when you need to call ghostbusters a copyWRITER.
Mistake #1: buried alive with Bulky and Boring Walls of Text
You can have the best writing skills on the planet, but if it’s looking more like a research brief than a conversational document, you’re guilty of burying your copy in too much text.
Most clients are looking you up on their phones. What looks like a short paragraph on a desktop can take up an entire screen on a mobile device! Boo! Spooky! Click away!
HOW TO FIX IT: Break up your copy to have a mix of headings, subheadings, and (short) paragraphs. Don’t be afraid to throw in some bold or italics or CAPS to also break up the text, too.
Mistake #2: like a witch’s cauldron, you’re too wishy-washy
chances are you’re POSSiBLY BEING too ambiguous, maybe, perhaps?
An approach of curiosity and openness builds rapport with clients. In session, this shows up as “I wonder if…” or “Maybe you’re experiencing…”
This just doesn’t work with website copy.
You need to be direct and confident in your language. This ensures the client resonates with your voice while also agitating their pain points. As a result, they are motivated to take action and book a call with you.
HOW TO FIX IT: You’re overusing phrases like: maybe, perhaps, probably, chances are, might be. Remove these ambiguous phrases from your copy and rephrase with declarative, certain language. If you must, use them sparingly to make a point.
Mistake #3: IS THIS A RIDDLE? or a home page?
Are you wondering if your home page is working? (Um, obviously, ‘cuz you’re here.)
Do you ever stay up at night obsessing over what you’ve written? (Probably.)
Do you question if you have too many cat mugs? (NEVER.)
Feels familiar? Well, cut it out.
Questions are stellar for your intake sessions, but not for instilling confidence in your copy. Your client needs to know you get them with clear, direct statements of their inner world, experiences, and stressors.
HOW TO FIX IT: If your homepage is filled with questions, turn them into statements. The tone of your homepage will shift — and it will be a good thing!
Use questions sparingly and to break up the rhythm and tone of the page. (Also, buy another cat mug. I won’t tell anyone.)
MISTAKE #4: YOUR call-to-action IS A dead-end SCAVENGER HUNT
It’s essential for your homepage to guide your client to take action to work with you. This is the heart of conversion copywriting.
Whether to schedule a consult call, book a session, or opt-in to your email list, you need to make it crystal (ball) clear to your client what to do next.
You don’t want too many call-to-actions because that confuses the reader, and feels like this:
HOW TO FIX IT: Have clear buttons, in simple language, that direct the client to take the next step to work with you. If you have a longer homepage, make sure those buttons are spread throughout the page and in an easy-to-see accent color so they are easy to find.
MISTAKE #5: invasion of the copy snatchers (you don’t sound like you)
You want your copy to mimic how you speak. Stop sounding like Janet from The Good Place, a TV show therapist, or a overly cheerful coach. It’s time to sound like you.
Time to ditch the jargon, cliches, or overly formal tone. It can help to have someone outside your field help spot the sections where you sound stuffy.
HOW TO FIX IT: Read your copy outloud. Bring in more conversational phrases – or slang. Ditch the jargon + play around with sentence structure, symbols, and punctuation. Defy some grammar rules! Ya get me?
MISTAKE #6: look away! (not another brene brown quote!)
Oh, the horror! I beg of you — no more quotes by philosophers or public figures (no matter how awesome they are) in your above-the-fold sections.
You have 3 seconds to get your readers’ attention and have them keep reading.
This is precious, valuable space on your website — and you’re filling it with someone else’s words? Whyyyyy?
FIX-IT-NOW: Delete that quote and put in something (anything!) else there. If you’re not sure, even the phrase: [Service] for [Niche] is a good start. Once you nail this, make sure you add a tagline, too.
MISTAKE #7: the case of the missing professional (dude, where’s your photo?)
When you’re doing your copy right, your clients get a feel for you with your tone, writing voice, and words. But the human brain needs images, too. Most importantly: your awesome face.
It’s important to pair your copy with your lovely face. Having a photo of you on your home page helps make your copy resonate even more powerfully with your reader. It allows them to connect the dots — and imagine being in the room (okay, Zoom room) with you.
HOW TO FIX IT: No more phantom therapists. Add an engaging, professional headshot to your home page. (No selfies, please. Yes, we can tell.)
When should you hire someone to help with your homepage?
Let’s make your copy to die for
If you encounter any of the following obstacles, it might be time to hire a copywriter or copy coach to guide you:
- You aren’t clear on your target market–or the specific pain points and desires of your ideal client.
- You have a hard time breaking away from technical or academic writing.
- You don’t know how to connect the dots between your client’s experience to your services without feeling too “salesy”.
- You’ve been told that your copy doesn’t match your fun-filled personality.
- You have a hard time being clear and concise in your writing.
Arianna Smith | The Copy Cove 