Day 6: Create a 'What' post that introduces a new product or service you're offering and what it can

Introducing a new product or service can be a pivotal moment for any business. It's the first step in turning an idea into a reality that resonates with your audience. This is where a 'What' post becomes essential.

Understanding your audience's needs and presenting your product or service as a solution is the heart of effective content marketing. A 'What' post does just this - it's an introductory piece that explains the core of what you offer.

In this article, you will learn:

The definition and importance of a 'What' post.
Key steps to craft a compelling and informative 'What' post.
Techniques to make your 'What' post resonate with your audience.

Let's explore how to create a 'What' post that not only informs but also connects and engages with your audience.

The Importance of 'What' Posts

The Role of 'What' Posts in Content Marketing

'What' posts are crucial in content marketing for several reasons. Primarily, they serve as a foundational introduction to your products or services. They set the stage for deeper discussions and further content, acting as a starting point for customer engagement.

Educating Your Audience

A key purpose of a 'What' post is to educate. It should clearly explain what your offering is, making it easily understandable for someone unfamiliar with it. This clarity helps in building a knowledgeable audience, which is more likely to engage with your brand.

Establishing Clarity and Connection

Clarity is paramount. A well-written 'What' post leaves no room for confusion about what you offer. It also fosters a connection by aligning your product or service with the needs and interests of your audience.

The Psychology Behind Effective 'What' Posts

Understanding human psychology is crucial. People are drawn to products and services that they perceive as beneficial or necessary. Your 'What' post should tap into this by highlighting how your offering addresses specific needs or desires.

Balancing Information with Engagement

While providing information is key, engagement should not be overlooked. Your 'What' post should be engaging and relatable, making the reader feel involved and interested in what you have to say.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be cautious of overcomplicating your 'What' post with technical jargon or making it too sales-focused. The aim is to inform and engage, not to overwhelm or aggressively sell.

An Example for Better Understanding

Imagine a 'What' post for a new smartphone. Rather than focusing solely on technical specifications, the post could explain how the phone's features enhance everyday life, like a camera that captures professional-quality photos or a battery that lasts all day.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a 'What' Post

Crafting a Captivating Headline

Start with a headline that grabs attention and clearly indicates the topic.
It should be intriguing yet straightforward, making the reader want to learn more.

Structuring Your Content

Introduction: Briefly introduce your product or service. Create context for the reader.
Features and Benefits: Highlight key features and explain how they benefit the user.
Common Questions: Anticipate and answer typical queries your audience might have.

Making It Relatable

Use examples or scenarios where your product or service can be applied.
Show how it fits into or improves the reader’s daily life.

Balancing Information and Engagement

Avoid overwhelming with technical details. Keep it informative yet easy to digest.
Engage with storytelling elements to keep the reader interested.

Using Visuals Effectively

Incorporate images, infographics, or videos to illustrate points and add visual appeal.
Ensure visuals are relevant and enhance the understanding of the text.

Including a Call-to-Action (CTA)

End with a CTA that guides the reader on what to do next, such as learning more or making a purchase.
The CTA should be clear, compelling, and easy to follow.

Conclusion/Summary

Sum up the key points about your product or service.
Leave the reader with a clear understanding of what you offer and its value.

Addressing Potential Customer Questions

Anticipating Common Queries

Before crafting your 'What' post, think about the typical questions your audience might have.
These could be about functionality, pricing, usability, or how it compares to other products.

Integrating Answers Seamlessly

Address these queries within the post. This approach shows you understand and care about your audience’s concerns.
It also saves them time and effort, which they'll appreciate.

The Power of FAQs

Including a FAQ section can be a smart move. It organises information neatly and is easily navigable.
FAQs are also great for SEO, often directly answering search queries.
Tools like AnswerThePublic.com can help with these

Reflecting Audience Language

Use language and terms that your audience uses. This ensures clarity and relatability.
Avoid technical jargon unless your audience is familiar with it.

Providing Clear, Concise Answers

Keep your responses to queries short and to the point. No one likes wading through fluff.
Each answer should be a nugget of useful information, not a sales pitch.

Example: Addressing Questions in a Tech Product Post

For a tech product like a smartwatch, anticipate questions like battery life, compatibility with devices, or unique features. Your answers should be direct: "The battery lasts 48 hours on a single charge, compatible with all Android and iOS devices.

Enhancing Visibility with SEO Techniques

The Role of SEO in 'What' Posts

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) helps your 'What' post reach more people online.
It involves using specific keywords that your audience searches for.

Integrating Keywords Naturally

Use keywords naturally throughout your post. They should fit smoothly into your content. Read your content out loud, you'll hear where it sounds janky.
Overusing keywords can harm readability and SEO performance.

Researching Relevant Keywords

Start with keyword research. Tools like Rank Atom and Ahrefs Keyword Generator are good starting places.
Look for keywords that are relevant to your product or service and have good search volume.

Optimising Your Headline and Subheadings

Include your primary keyword in the headline and subheadings for better visibility.
This also helps readers quickly understand what your post is about.

Meta Descriptions and Alt Tags

Write a compelling meta description using your primary keyword. It's what shows up in search results.
Use alt tags for images. Include keywords where relevant, enhancing accessibility and SEO.

Link Building

Include internal links to other relevant content on your website.
Consider reaching out for external links from credible sites for added authority.

Keeping Content Fresh

Regularly update your 'What' post. This keeps it relevant and maintains its SEO ranking.
Changes in your product or service should be reflected in the content.

Making Your 'What' Post Stand Out

Utilising Visuals

Incorporate visuals like images, infographics, or videos. They make complex ideas easier to understand.
Ensure they are high-quality and relevant to your content.

Storytelling Elements

Use storytelling to engage your audience. It makes your post memorable and relatable.
Share customer experiences or scenarios where your product made a difference.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Highlight your USP. What makes your product different from others?
This can be a feature, a price point, or a specific benefit.

Emphasising Benefits Over Features

Focus on benefits. How does your product improve the user's life?
Benefits are more impactful than technical features.

Reader Engagement

Encourage reader interaction. Ask questions or invite comments.
This engagement helps in building a community around your brand.

Consistent Brand Voice

Maintain a consistent brand voice. It should reflect your brand’s personality and values.
A distinctive voice helps in building brand identity and loyalty.

Simplicity is Key

Keep your language simple and jargon-free. It should be understandable to a broad audience.
Simplicity ensures that your message is clear and effective.

Standing out with your 'What' post involves a blend of visuals, storytelling, and a focus on benefits. If any adjustments are needed in this section, or if we are ready to proceed to the next one, please let me know.

Making Your 'What' Post Stand Out: Practical Examples for Different Professions

For a Baker

Visuals: Showcase your baked goods with high-quality images. Before and after shots of baking can be particularly engaging.
Storytelling: Share stories of how your bakery started or a customer's special moment made better with your cakes.
USP: Perhaps your bakery uses only organic ingredients or traditional baking methods - highlight this.
Benefits over Features: Rather than just listing ingredients, describe how your baked goods bring joy or evoke nostalgia.

For a Contractor

Visuals: Use before and after photos of renovation projects. Videos of the renovation process can be very effective.
Storytelling: Tell a story of a family's home transformation and how it improved their daily life.
USP: If you specialise in eco-friendly or budget renovations, make sure this is clear.
Benefits over Features: Focus on the comfort, aesthetics, and value your work adds to a home, rather than just the technical details.

For a Business Networker

Visuals: Use infographics to show the benefits of networking, or photos from successful networking events.
Storytelling: Share a success story of a connection made at one of your events leading to a fruitful business partnership.
USP: Emphasise unique aspects like a specialised focus on certain industries or a more personalised networking approach.
Benefits over Features: Highlight the potential for growth, learning, and partnership opportunities through your networking events, rather than just the event details.

As we conclude our journey through crafting a 'What' post, let's recap the key takeaways:

Definition and Importance: We've explored what a 'What' post is and its critical role in introducing your product or service.
Crafting Tips: Key steps for crafting an engaging 'What' post include creating a captivating headline, structuring content effectively, and making your offer relatable.
Resonating with Audience: Techniques to make your 'What' post resonate include using visuals, storytelling, and focusing on benefits over features.

Remember, the 'What' post is your chance to make a first impression. It sets the tone for how your audience perceives your offering. By following these guidelines, you'll be able to create a 'What' post that not only informs but also engages and connects with your audience.

Once you’ve published add it to MissingLettr and schedule its release.

When you've created your "what" blog post remember to publish it, and share it in the Blogging Challenge Facebook Group

Looking forward to seeing your posts!

Sarah

P.S. If you've found this via a search engine then come on over and join the 30-Day Business Blogging Challenge - it's free!

P.P.S If you're in the Next Level you'll adore the template for this post - it makes it all so easy!