Rick Sloboda recently posted an article on CMSWire describing some practical web writing strategies. As the title Web Writing Tactics that Convert suggests, it has some great tips on how to improve your conversion rates.

But I think these guidelines apply to any type of writing, web content or otherwise. For example, Rick promotes writing tight copy, removing clichés, providing you-driven messages, and of course, creating a strong call to action.

Although the term “conversion rate” is decidedly a web-oriented term (within the context that he uses it here), really all marketing copy needs to “convert” on some level. Rick points out that web content is a little more flexible when trying to improve those conversions: “The Web is a fantastic medium to determine what web writing works and what doesn’t,” and is also great for tweaking your copy as you go.

Non-web writing might be a bit more like taking aim in the dark, but these tips will certainly improve your chances of hitting your target.

~Graham