Quick Wins Wednesday: How To Create A Killer CTA

Creating a solid CTA isn't rocket science, but it does require some effort and creativity. Explore the key elements of a successful CTA and check out some tips for creating one that will drive results for your business in today's edition of Quick Wins Wednesday.

IN A GIST

If you've never heard of CTAs before, then you belong in the 1800s. Just kidding! I bet you've seen one and just didn't know it. A CTA, or "Call to Action," is simply a friendly nudge for your audience to take a specific action, like buying your product, signing up for your newsletter, or downloading your latest e-book.

Think of a CTA as the gate to your online house. A gate contributes heavily to a house’s curb appeal. If a painted gate can make a great first impression, a well-crafted CTA can be the deciding factor in whether or not your audience takes action.

For this first edition of Quick Wins Wednesday, we'll talk about:

• What a CTA is exactly and how can you maximize its potential
• How to create a CTA to facilitate that “irresistible” click
• Tackling the right questions to craft the perfect CTA
• What words to use to communicate the right action
• Conclusion and key takeaways

THE FULL READ
‍

What exactly is a CTA?

Have you scrolled through a website and come across a bold button that beckons you to "Sign up now"? That, my friend, is a classic example of a CTA, or "Call to Action". It's a crucial component of any marketing strategy, acting as a roadmap for your audience, guiding them towards your desired outcome.

Think of a CTA as your trusty tour guide, taking your audience by the hand and leading them on a journey to conversion. It's the extra push they need to take that final step, whether it's downloading your latest e-book, signing up for your newsletter, or getting started on your latest offering. A well-crafted CTA can make all the difference, converting your audience into paying customers, driving up website traffic, and boosting engagement. 

The Importance of a CTA

A CTA is a powerful tool in any marketing strategy. Its purpose is to encourage your audience to take a specific action that will benefit both you and them. From converting your audience into customers to increasing website traffic and building trust, the impact of a well-thought CTA can be tremendous.

If you’re aspiring to grow your brand online or aspire to become a thought leader in your space, having a solid CTA is key. It serves as the rallying cry for your message, and its effectiveness can make or break your marketing goals and objectives. 

I know this sounds a little too much. But you’ll be surprised that a lot of websites don’t have a clear CTA. On the other hand, you’ll see marketing experts who examine a CTAs performance as if they’re in a lab. They conduct dozens of tests just to get the results they are looking for. 

Here’s an example of a good CTA. 

‍

Creating A Effective CTA With Gravitational Pull

Remember when you couldn't resist pushing that "red" button as a kid? An effective CTA has the same pull. It is something people can't help but click on. 

Let’s say you actually pull it off and create an effective CTA. Then, your getting potential customers to beg to click on your CTA. Just like a black hole has an immense gravitational pull, your CTA has a magnetic attraction that draws people in. But don't worry, unlike a black hole, your CTA leads people towards something positive and doesn't suck them into oblivion. (Unless that’s your goal. If that’s the case, stop reading.)

Whether you promote a new product, drive traffic to your blog, or simply collect email addresses, the right CTA helps you achieve your goals. So, if you’re ready to create an irresistible CTA that will have your audience clicking like crazy? Let’s get started. 

1. Clarity is King

Your CTA should be crystal clear, like a diamond in the rough. Avoid ambiguity and make sure your message is easy to understand. Use language that's simple and straightforward, like a roadmap to success.

Example: A home security company could have a CTA that says "Get A Free Quote"

2. Urge Them To Act

Incorporate a sense of urgency in your CTA like a ticking clock. Use language that creates a sense of time sensitivity, such as "limited time offer" or "last chance to save." This will motivate your audience to take action now, rather than later.

Example: A travel company could have a CTA that says "Book Now and Get 20% Off - Limited Time Offer"

3. Relevance is the Secret Sauce

Your CTA should be relevant to your audience's needs and desires. Think of it like a key that fits perfectly into a lock. Make sure your CTA aligns with the content and messaging of your website, and targets your desired audience.

Example: A fitness company could have a CTA that says "Get Fit and Healthy - Start Your Journey Today"

4. Grab Their Attention

Your CTA is the star of the show and deserves to shine. Use eye-catching design elements like contrasting colors, bold text, and attention-grabbing graphics to make your CTA stand out like a diamond in a pile of coal. You want to create a visual spectacle that draws your audience in and motivates them to take action.

Example: A food delivery company could have a CTA with bright red text that says "Hungry? Order Now and Get 20% Off Your First Meal"

5. Keep It Simple (Stupid)

Keep your CTA simple and straightforward, like a straight line. A simple message is more likely to be effective than a complex or convoluted one.

Example: A software company could have a CTA that says "Download Now" or “Upload Now”

6. Use Action-Oriented Language 

Language is a powerful tool, and using action-oriented language in your CTA can help to drive results. Words such as "click," "register," and "subscribe" are like a call to action, effectively communicating the desired action. This is a call to “action” after all. 

Example: An online learning platform could have a CTA that says "Enroll Now and Start Learning Today"

7. Make It Visually Appealing 

A visually appealing CTA can help to grab your audience's attention and drive more conversions. Make your CTA stand out like a shining star in the night sky by using contrasting colors, bold text, and eye-catching graphics.

Example: A fashion retailer could have a CTA with a bright green button that says "Shop Now and Get Free Shipping"

8. Place Your CTA in a Prominent Location 

The placement of your CTA is critical to its success. Make sure it's in a prominent location that's easily visible to your audience, like a lighthouse guiding ships to shore. The best place for a CTA is usually above the fold on your website, in the middle of your blog post, or at the end of a video.

Example: A website selling products could have a CTA in the middle of the home page that says "Shop Our Best Sellers"

9. Create a Scenario 

Paint a picture for your audience that highlights the benefits of taking the desired action. Use language that creates a vivid mental image that highlights the positive outcome of clicking the CTA. 

Make it feel like they're on a journey, and your CTA is the first step to a brighter future. Think of it like a movie trailer, you're creating a preview of the amazing experience that awaits them if they take action. Expert marketers sometimes call it “call-to-value,” where the CTA actually states the desired outcome of the audience. 

Example: A financial planning company could have a CTA that says "Imagine A Secure Financial Future - Get A Free Consultation Today"

10. Test and Refine 

Finally, it's important to continually test and refine your CTA. E-commerce brands do this a lot. Use A/B testing to determine which version of your CTA is driving the most conversions, and make changes as needed. Refine your CTA based on the results of your testing to ensure its effectiveness, like a diamond cutter honing their craft.

Example: An e-commerce company could test different versions of a CTA such as "Shop Now" vs "Start Shopping" and see which one drives more conversions. Based on the results, they could refine their CTA to maximize its effectiveness.

‍

FAQs on Crafting the Perfect CTA

Q: How long should my CTA be?

A: Keep it short and sweet, like a good joke! Your CTA should be no more than a sentence or two, and the shorter and more straightforward it is, the easier it will be for your audience to grasp and take action.

Q: What makes a CTA effective?

A: A winning CTA should be clear, concise, focused on action, placed in a spot that's hard to miss, eye-catching and unique, and optimized through testing and refinement. By ticking these boxes, you're giving your CTA a great shot at driving results!

Q: Can I have more than one CTA on a single page?

A: Sure thing! Having multiple CTAs on a single page is perfectly fine, just make sure each one serves a clear purpose and is positioned in a prominent location. Too many CTAs can be 

overwhelming and confusing for your audience.

Q: How do I measure the success of my CTA?

A: Keep track of metrics like clicks, conversions, and engagement to gauge your CTA's success. Use tools such as Google Analytics to monitor your CTA's performance and make data-driven decisions to keep it on the right track.

‍

Power Words for Effective CTA

Here are some power words to help you craft compelling CTAs:

‍Urgency & Scarcity

• Free
• Limited
• Hurry
• Limited time
• Instantly
• Immediately
• Today
• This week
• This month
• Don't miss
• Now
• Fast
• Improve
• Increase

Desirability

• Discover
• Unlock
• Secret
• Exclusive
• Gain
• Win
• Get
• Join
• Learn
• Buy
• Hurry
• Limited time
• Exclusive
• Secret

Simplicity & Ease

• Quick
• Easy
• Fast
• Improve
• Increase
• Save
• Start
• Try
• Shop
• Now
• Instantly
• Immediately
• Today
• This week

Emotional Impact

• Amazing
• Incredible
• Spectacular
• Sensational
• Exciting
• Magical
• Revolutionary
• Stunning
• Surprising
• Unbelievable
• Phenomenal
• Unforgettable
• Astonishing
• Shocking

‍

The Last Word

For anyone looking to make a big impact, having a top-notch CTA is a must. A well-designed CTA can help you convert your audience into paying customers, drive more traffic to your website, and keep people engaged. By using the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can create a CTA that really delivers. And don't forget to regularly test and refine your CTA to keep it in tip-top shape!

That’s all for our first-ever Quick Wins Wednesday. Was this helpful? Let us know in the comments!

‍