Hello

I am in the process of writing the content for my website. I can't think of what to say - I know that probably shocks some of you. I'm usually never lost for words, but I just set and stare at the blank page. Is this normal? My ever-so-loving husband, told me to put - I'm Amazing, Use my services. lol Informed him that I probably should add a little more content to that and not be so pompous. Needless to say didnt get much help there!

I've read up on the Copywriting and Content section here and searched websites for great ideas(but dont worry, would never copy). Just having a hard time with what to say, which is totally not me. My website should be done this week, so I need to get this done! I'm really excited about the new site.

Any helpful Ideas? Other than hiring someone, I want to write my own..hopefully! I know I'm smart, but it's almost when I open the word doc to start writing, my intelligence leaves me briefly!

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Kena~
Everyone smiles in the same language

Kena,
The point is to give the visitor a gimse of how working with you would fit their needs.

Start with a brainstorming session. How many pages do you have, what is each one going to tell the visitor. Be bold, write down everything that comes to mind. Mind-map if you use it. Write down everything someone should know about using yoru services, how you operate, what benefits are, how you came to do this, everything and anything that fits or doesn't. Then start putting each piece together like a puzzle, what fits what doesn't. Discard and or expand on ideas.

You can do this!

You know the old addage - How do you eat an elephant? --One bite at a time. Take baby steps.

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Kathy Crofoot
http://www.kathycrofoot.com

I feel for you Kena, I really do. I have a website that will be done soon too and have not begun on writing my new content!

I found writing the content for my VA website to be an ever evolving process. The content that is there now is not the content that was there in the beginning. Originally, my content was just a voice -- with a strong stress on A Voice -- it was not MY voice. I am still not 100% satisfied with it; overall, my website is always ever-evolving!

My advice -- take it one page at a time and go slow. Sit down with a pad and paper (forget Word or any other computer word processing document). Find a place free from distractions, where it is just you and your thoughts. Perhaps sit in your favorite chair or by the window. Then write freely, don't worry about grammar or how you sound (cleaning up the text will come later), just get your thoughts on paper. And don't be afraid to toot your own horn when it comes to the About Me page. Once you have something down, put your pen down and walk away. Do something else. Then come back and re-read what you wrote and start editing (paying careful attention to grammar, etc).

This is something I would do when writing papers for college and again with stories, poems and anything else I have written. Please know, I am not a writer at all and others on here that do it professionally will certainly have more sound advice -- writing is something I have just always enjoyed.

Don't stress over it and if you still feel overwhelmed, there is nothing wrong with asking for help or having someone either write your content for you or edit what you have written.

I bet you are excited that your website will be done soon. Woohoo!

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Hi Kena,
When I did my website I just thought about things I would tell a customer if he/she was in front of me. I also used my 20 second commerical (something I was taught in a class) to introduce myself and my services. Once I got started, other things started to flow...I will admit I am always working on my content and reviewing my page but so far it is up and has enough information to get me started.

So in short...Introduce yourself and your business as if you were talking face to face with someone. Tell them of your services (what you will offer now) and then set up a contact page.

Tanya
The AdminPlus LLC
www.youradminplus.com

You know Kena I sort of like your husband's idea. Simple is best!

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Lisa Olinda of Olinda Services
Keeping you on the path to success!
www.olindaservices.com

Kena, we were tweeting about this today - and you've got some great replies.

My best suggestion for getting started is to start writing as if you were explaining what you do to a potential client - then edit and tweak as needed.
For each page of your site ask the question of yourself as if a client was asking; does that make sense?

Good luck getting started and do feel free to post back for editing assistance once you've got it going

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Thank You Everyone for your replies...

I'm sure I will be posting back with editing questions.

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Kena~
Everyone smiles in the same language

Oh Kena - you have my sympathy and understanding! I recently was trialling some new web building programs and even though I have a website that seems to work well and I knew this was only practice, I just could not think of what to put in there!

Good advice I received was by asking an existing client what it was they were looking for on a site. He wanted to be able to find information quickly and easily and not have a lot of fluff around it. The standard stuff is to state what a VA is and why we are so wonderful to partner with (people really should have realised how wonderful we are by now!), the services you can provide and any specialities, a contact page and maybe an about page. I didn't want to make my About Me page too personal, so I just used photos as a side frame and said it was a few of my favourite things. Then the content was more like a CV. Have you checked out other sites for inspiration? Obviously you won't be copying, but it may give you an idea of how to word things.

I had my wording read over by a friend who is in marketing and she was able to point out how to improve. I also asked friends from different backgrounds to look at the site and provide feedback, so I had different takes from different areas like corporate, tradesmen, small business etc.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll be fine!

Cheers,
Marie

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Marie Chandler - your virtual assistant
www.officesupportonline.com.au

Even though the posts are at least a year old, it's as if they were written yesterday. Thanks for the encouragement. I, too, am overwhelmed with so much information and not knowing what to choose.

One of the suggestions I liked is to write as if I am talking to a potential client. I'm sitting at Panera Bread (here in Florida), with the intent of working on my website. You guys are awesome.

Love the forum,
Gennia

I'm also working on my website. A friend, who designs websites, is helping me.

I sent him a BRILLIANT idea for the header - same as for my business cards. His response - "no copy, no business!" Just a gentle reminder that I should have sent him some copy so we could start playing!

Have trip out of town this weekend! Website will be on my agenda for early next week.

Carol
CJ's Virtual Business Solutions