Everyone in business, whether it is a medical or dental practice, a business or as an entrepreneur, must have a website.  This is crucial to the success of the business itself.  However, there are certain things that you need on your website to make it effective and reach your goals.

In case you missed it, two blog posts that would help you tremendously are:

https://themedicalstrategist.com/blog/uncategorized/7-medical-websit…istakes-to-avoid/ ‎

(7 Medical Website Mistakes to Avoid)

https://themedicalstrategist.com/blog/websites/7-essential-keys…ffective-website/ ‎

(7 Essential Keys for an effective website)

Today we are featuring a guest blog post by Joshua Boswell who gives you his take on 7 things you must have on your website.

7 Things You Must Have on Your Website (But Only If You Want Clients … )
By Joshua Boswell

Pencil making green checkmarks in boxes

Helena, Montana is beautiful. It was once a gold mining town. Huge veins of gold were discovered in “Last Chance Gulch.” It brought in over $19 million in 1864 dollars … or about $277,476,558.17 in today’s dollars.

The town exploded and a beautiful mansion district grew up on the side of the hill. Most of the mansions were over $10,000 per square foot and filled with ornate wood, marble, and brass.

As fate had it, one of these mansions was up for rent when I went looking for a new place to live. You see, at the time, we were living in a smaller home, roughly 1,500 square feet. But since our family was five growing children and one on the way, we needed a bigger house.

The mansion was only $2,000 a month for the rent and more than spacious enough for our family.

I applied with the rental management company and was initially told that everything looked great. They even gave us a tentative move-in date.

Then … I heard nothing.

One week … then another … then another. Nothing.

Finally, I called the management company to get an update.

“Oh, yes, Mr. Boswell we declined your application.”

“What? Why? We already started boxing things up. You said it all looked good.”

“We did a final check of your application. When we went to your company website, there was nothing there. It was under construction. Yet you claim to be making $9,000 a month from this business. Frankly, that is pretty hard to believe considering you don’t even have a functioning website.”

I tried to explain that my business didn’t really come from my website. But they didn’t care. No cool website … no cool business … no Boswells living in a cool mansion.

That lesson, admittedly learned the hard way, underscores how vital a good website is today.

Whether we like it or not, our “book” is judged by its “cover” … err, its website.

Now, over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of writers. Almost without exception, the thing they want to know is,

“How to find and keep great paying clients?”

In reality, there are only five key essentials you need to have in place to get and keep great clients. One of the most important essentials is your website.

The question is, what should go on your website? How do you turn a few words and pictures and buttons and links and menu items into a super-charged, client attraction engine that helps you land great clients day and night?

The answer to this lies in understanding what clients look for in a writer.

I have found that just about every person who hires writers looks for a specific core set of skills and attributes.

Think of it like a checklist inside their heads. If all the boxes are checked, they’re likely to give you a shot … if most of the boxes are left unchecked, then you can expect the ol’ cold shoulder and sad bank account.

Your website is one of the best ways for a client to check off all the boxes.

To do that, you need seven major elements on your site. Here they are:

Check-Off Box One: Targeted Homepage

Everyone needs a homepage … that’s a no-brainer.

But, you need a targeted homepage. That’s a wee bit different.

A targeted homepage instantly tells your reader:

  • What industry/niche you write for
  • What kind of writing you provide
  • Who you are

Within 30 seconds of going to your homepage, they should be able to tell those things.

The simpler, the clearer, the more direct it is, the better.

Confusion breeds inactivity because it makes people stop and think.

Great clients are busy. They don’t have time to try to decipher cryptic, jumbled, vague language. They want to know if you are a good fit and can meet their writing needs.

You can communicate this in a simple sentence like,

“I’m Joshua Boswell and I specialize in writing direct-response sales letters for the alternative health market.”

You can also do it with images, buttons, and video. However you do it, make it clear and direct.

Check-Off Box Two: A Signature Story

Most people have an “About Me” page … and so should you.

But, please, please, please don’t give a few humdrum facts about yourself like you’re applying for a Dilbert job in Corporate America.

Tell your story!

I call these “Signature Stories.” A great Signature Story connects you with people, allows you to be vulnerable and real, and demonstrates that you have the skills and characteristics they are looking for.

For example, I love telling my story of being $200,000 in debt and writing my way to financial freedom. And people love reading about it.

Check-Off Box Three: Introduction Letter

If your website is just a broken up sales letter, your homepage is the headline.

The lead is your introduction letter.

This is also the first major writing sample that they are likely to read. Inside of the Intro Letter, you give them:

  • More details on the services you provide
  • Answers to their questions
  • Proof that you can deliver the goods
  • A call-to-action so they know how to work with you
  • Testimonials from others you’ve worked with (if you have that)

Check-Off Box Four: Testimonials and Experience

What do you do if you’re a new writer and don’t have testimonials and past writing experience?

Yes, great clients want to know what others think about you and your writing.

But, the cool part is that great clients don’t just hire seasoned writers. They are always looking for new talent and fresh perspectives.

Plus, they aren’t just hiring words on a page. They’re hiring a person. They want to know as much about you as possible.

When I first started, I put down all the past experience I had ever had, including things like being a lifeguard in high school and donating blood for the Red Cross.

I also went to everyone I knew that did not have my last name and asked them write me a letter of recommendation.

I used these things to get started and so can you.

Check-Off Box Five: My System and Contact Info

Professionals have a system for running their businesses.

Can you imagine a lawyer publishing his personal email, home address, and cell number with a note, “Just give me a call or stop by my house anytime!”

It doesn’t work that way.

You have to call and set up an appointment. They have office hours. There is a protocol for working with them.

You should have the same thing. Clients should know what it is like to work with you. You need to set a protocol and ground rules and expectations … just like every other professional does.

Check-Off Box Six: Lead Magnet

A lead magnet is a bit of information that provides great value to prospective clients. It allows them a safe way to experience your work and expertise without having to pay you.

Kinda like a test-drive.

When I was focused on the nonprofit niche, I created a small booklet called, “12 Ways to Increase Your Net Donations.” People could go to my website, enter their name and email address, and request it.

I had a lot of people ask me for that booklet and converted a good number of them into clients.

You can do the same.

Think of something useful, unique, and valuable that you can give your industry. Write it up and let people download it from your site.

Check-Off Box Seven: Samples

Finally, you need to have samples of your work on your website.

Again, you might ask, “But what if I’m a brand-new writer and don’t have samples?!”

My answer is very simple and blunt …

“YOU ARE A WRITER … GO WRITE SOME SAMPLES!!!”

Pick a favorite product or service in your niche and write some emails, headlines, leads, website content, social media, white papers, or whatever is typically used in your industry.

If you want to have 100% transparency, put a disclaimer at the bottom of the page that says,

“I was not hired by [name of company] to write this. But it does give you an example of the great work I can do for you when we work together.”

You should have 3-5 nice samples to begin. Every writer I know can do this in under a month. Just sit down and write!

Putting It All Together

Wanna see how this all comes together?

Here are a few websites from new writers like you that are students of mine:

A Step-by-Step Way to Get Clients

As I said earlier, your website is one of five major essentials that need to be in place to land great clients.

There’s four more essentials you’ll need to have in place. I’ve gotten each of these steps down to a science. In fact, for the past 10 years, I’ve taught dozens and dozens of new writers how to attract and consistently close clients using these five major essentials.

 

Have any questions about your website and checking off the boxes on your prospect’s “wish list”? Share with us in the comments here so we can help.