Give your fitness website a power-up! Discover how to significantly increase reader engagement and interaction with my top 5 blog CTAs.
Let’s introduce two besties in the blogging world: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Calls To Action (CTAs).
Think of SEO as that friend who gets you invited to all the cool parties (aka the first page of Google).
Great, right? But what’s the fun in just showing up?
Enter CTAs, the wingwoman who makes sure you don’t just stand in a corner but actually mingle, dance, and have a good time.
SEO might get folks through the door, but it’s those juicy CTAs that invite them to kick off their shoes, stay awhile, and maybe even become regulars.
Let’s go beyond simply getting people to visit your website.
Let’s turn those casual readers into die-hard fans, newsletter subscribers, or even your next client call.
Jump To:
Alright, so we’ve got the guests in our metaphorical party, now what?
Imagine being handed an invite to a party, but once you get there it’s dead quiet. It’s unclear where you’re supposed to go or what you’re supposed to do.
Kind of a buzz kill, right?
That’s how visitors might feel landing on your blog post without clear CTAs.
Calls To Action are your clear signs, your beckoning finger, the enticing “come hither” that guides website visitors on what to do next.
On your blog, CTAs can be as simple as a nudge to read a related article or as direct as prompting a reader to book a Meet and Greet. They’re your blog’s way of saying, “Hey, if you enjoyed this, then you might love this too!” or “Wanna dive deeper? Let’s chat!”
But coming up with the perfect CTA? That’s an art. It requires a mix of understanding your audience, clear communication, and a little creativity.
Whether it’s getting them to download your lead magnet, leave a comment, or schedule a call, the right CTA can be the difference between a one-off visit and generating leads for longer-term connection.
Types of Calls to Action & How to Implement Them
CTAs are essential to your lead generation process. They’re how you manage your reader’s journey through your website and how you convert blog readers to clients.
Here are a couple of types of calls to action that I use in my own blog content:
1) Read The Next Article
This is the “if you liked this, you’ll love this next piece” approach. By guiding readers to another article, you’re keeping them engaged and sharing additional value.
Maybe they won’t become a client today, but the more of your content they consume, the more likely they are to remember you the next time they’re searching for a solution.
Pro tip: Internally link related articles to keep the reader in your content loop. This not only benefits the reader but also boosts your site’s SEO.
2) Leave a Comment
Conversation is the heart of community-building.
By encouraging your blog readers to share their thoughts, ask questions, or even share personal anecdotes, you’re not just boosting interaction but also gathering feedback.
It’s two birds with one stone: great for SEO and perfect for fostering a sense of community.
3) Share the Article
In the age of social media, word-of-mouth has transformed into shares and retweets.
If someone has found value in what you’ve written, why not nudge them to share it?
Include easy-to-spot share buttons to make the process as frictionless as possible.
4) Download a Relevant Lead Magnet
This is how you generate a direct leads. Your readers give you their email address, and in return, you gift them valuable, free content.
Not sure what I’m talking about? I’ll take this not-so-subtle opportunity to plug my own lead magnet:
SUBSCRIBE TO GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE SEO SIMPLIFIED GUIDE
You enter your email address, in return, you get a really great guide to SEO Simplified, a keyword research workbook that will help you discover the words that will attract right-fit clients to your website. You also get my emails which I think are actually the greater value.
The key here is to make it something valuable enough to warrant and invitation into someones inbox.
5) Book a Call
This is like asking someone out after a great conversation at a party.
It’s direct and shows you’re interested in deepening the connection.
If someone has spent time on your content and loves what they’re reading, why not ask them to hop on a call?
Since Google is sending problem-aware and solution-aware searchers to your website, it’s likely you’ll get some direct client calls from your search traffic.
MAKING YOUR CTAS STAND OUT
Your CTA’s are ready to go- but if they blend into the background, they’re as good as invisible. Let’s make sure they get seen.
1) Relevance & Positioning
CTAs can be integrated naturally into the concluding text of your blog OR they can appear as buttons or embedded opt-in forms.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s easily noticeable and make it contextually relevent. For example, if your article’s about post-workout stretches, offer a downloadable stretching guide, not a nutrition guide.
2) Color Contrast
Ever noticed how the “Buy Now” button on your favorite online store seems to scream “Click me!”?
That’s color psychology in action.
Use contrasting colors for your CTA buttons.
3) Bold and Brief
Your CTA text should be clear, concise, and compelling. “Grab Your Guide!” or “Join the Fun!” beats “Click here to download the guide we discussed earlier.”
Remember, while it’s essential to make CTAs stand out, it’s equally crucial they don’t feel like obnoxious party crashers. They should seamlessly fit into your content, coming off as a natural next step, not a hard sell.
The Great Debate: Pop-ups vs. Embedded Opt-in Forms
Ah, the age-old question every blogger, marketer, and online business owner has grappled with at some point.
Do we go with the sudden interruption of a pop-up or the ever-present invitation of an embedded opt-in?
Let’s break it down.
Pop-ups: The Party Crashers
Pros:
Immediate Attention: Like a friend who bursts into a room, bluetooth speaker in hand, ready to start a dance-off, pop-ups demand attention instantly.
Higher Conversion Rates: Many websites report higher email sign-ups or engagement when using pop-ups, especially if they appear after a user has spent some time on the page.
Customizable Triggers: You can set them to appear after a specific time, scroll depth, or when a user is about to exit.
Cons:
Potential Annoyance: Just as some folks adore surprise parties, others… not so much. Some users find pop-ups disruptive, especially if they’re too frequent or hard to close.
Mobile Unfriendly: On mobile devices, an ill-timed or poorly designed pop-up can lead to frustration and swift exits.
Embedded Opt-in Forms: The Wallflowers
Pros:
Always There: Embedded forms are always there, ready to engage whenever the reader is.
Less Intrusive: They blend seamlessly into the content, offering a gentler nudge rather than a shout.
Mobile-Friendly: Designed well, they can be easily navigated on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Cons:
Can Be Overlooked: If they’re too subtle, or don’t stand out, readers might scroll right past without noticing.
Lower Conversion Rates: Typically, they don’t grab attention as aggressively as pop-ups, which can sometimes result in fewer sign-ups.
The Verdict?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s like choosing between cardio or strength training—both have their merits; it’s about what fits best for your target audience and your content.
You might find a combination works best: an embedded form for steady engagement and a well-timed pop-up for that extra punch. Whatever you choose, always prioritize the user experience.
Post-engagement: NurturE Your Leads
So, your reader took the bait, they clicked on your CTA and handed over their email.
This is where the fun really begins.
Engaging someone to hand over their email is a big step; think of it as an invitation into their inbox.
Your newsletter isn’t just a way to stay in touch; think of it as your weekly coffee date with your reader.
It’s a chance to share updates, offer more value, and keep the relationship warm. It reinforces the reader’s decision to connect with you in the first place.
But there’s another benefit to emailing your list: consistency. Being a constant in your reader’s inbox creates familiarity and trust.
When they’re ready to take the next step, be it buying a product or booking a consultation, guess who they’ll think of first?
It’s not about the act of getting an email; it’s about cultivating a relationship, drip by precious drip, and turning those leads into raving fans.
Before you go
SEO was our ticket. But our CTAs ensured we weren’t just attendees, but active participants, diving into deep conversations and making meaningful connections.
But, just like with any networking event, the real magic happens in the follow-up.
The exchanged contact info, the newsletters, the continued dialogue.
When your readers hand you their email, it’s more than just data. It’s an invitation. Your newsletters are your response.
When it comes to making the most of your blog as a lead generator, it’s these continuous interactions, these sustained engagements, that make all the difference.
So, as you strategize and craft, remember it’s not just about that initial touch point but the ongoing rapport. The entry via SEO, the engagement with CTAs, and the continued relationship through newsletters.
If you read this far but you’re thinking, “Wow, this is all overwhelming!”, I’ve got you covered.
SEO is my jam, and I’m here to help simplify things.
Let’s talk about where YOU should start and how I can lighten your load. Book a free call, and let’s get your SEO on the right track together.
