How To Organize Your Calls To Action And Use Them On Your Blog

Let’s talk strategy for a minute.

Or, more accurately, a simple tool you can use so as not to forget to USE strategy in your blogging. 🙂

Put simply, there are two types of blogging:

1. Blogging just for the fun of it, without any monetary aims. I often call this “hobby blogging”.
2. Blogging for business, meaning that your blogging is a key component to your marketing strategy. It is this kid of blogging which I most talk about around here.

When you’re blogging for business, one thing you must never forget is the call to action.

See, you’ve got their attention. And to fail to take control at the end and direct them to something is just a colossal waste of your time. If you’re blogging for business and you’re just posting content for the sake of posting content, then you’re wasting your time.

But, what should you ask them to do? What call to action do you include?

That’s where a simple tool I call a “call to action map” comes in handy. 🙂

Here’s a simple example:

As you can see, it is basically a simple mind map. It categorizes the different kinds of calls to action I could use: (a) landing pages, (b) affiliate products, (c) products, (d) social shares.

And, under each, I can include the various options. The above example would be for my own business here at the Academy, so your’s will obviously look different.

And, if I were to develop this version even further, I could include link text, copy, and other WAYS to employ each available call to action.

So then, what do I do with this thing? How do I use it?

Well, before you create a piece of content, you reference your own call to action map and decide which one you’re going to use. Then, you create the content so as to lead up to that (so that its natural).

So, for example, if I decided to write a post with a call to action to Ten Minute Pages, I would probably write a post which talks about landing pages or squeeze pages. Then, ensure I include the CTA to Ten Minute Pages at the end. That gives the post a REASON TO EXIST.

Now, here’s what I want you to do right now…

Create a call to action map for your own blog. You can use any mind-mapping application you want. I like Mind Manager, but many people like Freemind (open source) or MindMeister (web-based).

Include any affiliate products you could promote, any of your own products, landing pages, and even asking people to share things socially (which is a call to action even if no money is involved).

Once you feel as if your map is rather inclusive, PRINT the mind-map and attach it to your workspace. You could tape it to your desk, or tape it to your monitor. Pin it on the wall. SOMETHING. The idea is to have it handy whenever you’re going to sit down and create a piece of content.

Know what you want people to do. Create the content. Then, ask them to do it.

Do you think this would be useful for you? Do you have anything you’d like to add? Post below in comments and let me know.

Lastly, behold… my call to action….

The Academy will show you MANY more tools and techniques you can use in your business, like this one.

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