A Super Short & Punchy Guide to Writing Call to Actions

call to actions

Read this short call to action guide in the 2 mins it takes to boil the kettle

Right. Let’s get stuck in. No time for pleasantries.

Call to actions are your greatest asset in digital copywriting. They can sway a customer from sitting on the fence like a stunned elephant to curiously clicking that button, calling you, filling out a form or whatever other lead you desire.

Call to actions are exactly that. Calling a consumer to take an action, which is why they have to be humorous, out of the blue or compelling.

Whenever I see a CTA that reads like this: Learn More, Click Here, Contact Us

My eyes close over and I slowly die a boring and slow death of uninspired and lazy copywriting.

Why can’t we admit that we are human, we want something to jolt us, to stand out in the sea of mediocrity. PLUS it goes a long way to get people to actually smile/laugh/think about your brand and the way you’ve made them feel with some interesting copy, even if they don’t click. You’re building something here.

So, what CAN you write?

  • Use language that your audience does. If you run a surf brand for example why don’t you try “Click here you salty lil grommet”
 
  • Make them curious. “See what happens when you go here, not to brag — but it’s pretty fantastic”
 
  • Put words in their mouth and write as if you are the customer “Yes! Take me there”
 
  • Be obvious to what you’re trying to do “Ok, so if you fill out this form, yes we’re going to call you, if you are a millennial we can text if that’s better for your sensitivities. But we aren’t your needy girlfriend — we don’t spam”

 

Takeaway: 

Every time you go to write a call to action I want it to scare you a little. I want you giggle at yourself and say “should I REALLY be saying that” and “does this make ME want to take an action?”

By GOD — live a little