TOC #114: I Fumbled The Bag
(February 28, 2023) Part Four: Contact Page
You're not gonna believe this. It simply doesn't fit with who I am now.
And, honestly, I'm pretty embarrassed to tell you about it.
(That's how you know this is a big deal for me—I never get embarrassed about anything. Unless its secondhand embarrassment for someone else. Then I'm borderline panic attack. Don't ask, I can't explain.)
(…anywayyyy, back to my story.)
So, I'm a huge Tar Heels fan.
Being from Massachusetts, I have absolutely NO reason to love the baby-blue-wearing basketball team at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but I do. And I'll tell you why.
When I was in sixth grade, I had a crush on this ugly, quiet, shy boy named Andy.
Andy and I had nothing at all in common. I don't even know why I liked him. I just decided he was my crush one day, and that was that.
On the last day before April vacation, Andy wore a Tar Heels shirt.
I was conveniently traveling to North Carolina the next day to see my grandma.
So, I did what any middle schooler in fake love would do, and made my dad buy me a Tar Heels shirt in the airport, then made liking the team—that I couldn't name a single player of—my entire personality.
Much to my (and, now, I'm assuming, also your) dismay, this strategy did not work.
Andy did not notice my new Tar Heels obsession, nor did he care if I lived or died.
Somehow, though, even without his attention, that obsession continued, and manifested into a full-blown “I need to go to college at UNC Chapel Hill or else” commitment.
I knew it would be difficult, considering the fact that my high school grades were average, I literally failed math twice, and I barely participated in any extracurriculars.
(I was busy working at Walmart and my local bank, okay?! Someone had to pay for the two pairs of $500 Tory Burch must-have riding boots that no 17-year-old had any business purchasing! Jeez.)
I did what I could to improve my situation and better my odds, though.
I studied for my SATs.
I got my grades up.
I tried out for the Honors choir.
I even started showing up to Algebra!
…but the one thing that mattered—the one thing that could have been the reason those admissions officers might have picked the average girl—slipped through the cracks:
I didn't proofread my college admissions essay.
(I know, I know, the copywriter who preaches about proofreading didn't proofread one of the most important things to ever be proofread. I'm SORRY.)
And, I'm not gonna lie to you… the essay SUCKED.
I knew it sucked.
Which is why I didn't want to proofread it—or let anyone else read it—because I was over it. I didn't feel like making it better. I wanted to be done with the college apps; I'd worked hard every other part of them, so…
(Call me complacent. You'd be right.)
I justified it to myself, saying it was probably fine, and the rest of my application would be good enough, and… well, I lucky-girl-syndrome-d a little too hard back in 2016.
And I fumbled the bag.
I didn't get into UNC Chapel Hill. And I never became a Tar Heel.
Andy would be so disappointed.
Kind of like how I feel when I see people neglecting their website's Contact page.
Like, you did all that work to make the rest of your website perfect, but… just decided NOT to care about one of the most important elements of your site? The literal deal-closer?! Kk.
(Bag, fumbled.)
Part Four: Contact Page
WANT YOUR READERS TO SWIPE RIGHT ON YOUR SITE? USE THIS CONTACT PAGE FORMULA:
[TW: Bullying.]
Since you already know I'm not one to hold back how I feel about anything, I'm just gonna say it: I'm sick and tired of creatives not prioritizing the copy on their Contact pages.
Like, you really couldn't do better than “Contact Us”?
BUUULLLLSSSHIIIITTTTTTT!
I'm 100% positive you've got more creativity than that. Like, be for real.
If you knew the content on your Contact page could be the make-or-break copy between you and your absolute dream client, you'd DEF come up with something more compelling than “Get In Touch!” 🧐
So… where is it? Where's the effort?
How come everyone is ignoring their Contact page headlines—and, while they're at it, the whole ass Contact page altogether?!
This is the last page your leads read before they decide to reach out (or not!), so it matters WAY more than most people realize.
It's an important page! That's a huge job for it to do!
Not only is this page used to close the deal for anyone coming from your Home, About, or Services pages, but it also might be the first actual page of copy someone coming from your blog / Resources / a freebie page will read.
(It's also only going to be crawled by Google if it has enough words—aim for 300!—which means that the lil baby neglected Contact pages aren't doing your site any favors in the “getting found” department, either.)
…so don't fumble the bag with a generic headline & a submission form that only asks for “name, email, subject, message.”
The best Contact pages include:
A strong, clear headline (tips here!) and/or introduction
An optimized submission form
Frequently asked questions (aka the logistical ones your copy didn't already answer—don't hide valuable, necessary, must-read info in this section; those things should be answered for the reader already throughout your site!)
A secondary option to continue the relationship
An invitation to explore your other content (blogs, freebies, newsletter, etc)
Your Mini About (remember: your readers might not know you well yet, especially if they're landing on your Contact page from your blog or some other secondary page!)
To read the full blog post about how to write your Contact page (with a step-by-step example from my site!), click the button below. 👇
The Swipe Right Series may be over, but we're not done here yet…
You know I'd NEVER just tell you how to write your website copy and then leave you high and dry with no plan or next steps, don't you?
On Monday, March 13th at 3pm EST, I'm hosting a 100% FREE WEBINAR to teach you the 3 ways you can attract your dream clients with your website (that aren't website copy 😱).
I've spent the last month teaching you how to make the 4 core pages of your site swipe-right-worthy, and now it's time we talk about what comes AFTER writing your website copy…
Because, let's be real—you could have the SEXIEST copy in the world, but it doesn't matter if no one ever SEES IT.
So, in next Monday's free webinar, we're going over 3 ways you can get yourself in front of the right people. And I promise you, you won't want to miss it.
If you're at all interested in using your website to effortlessly attract the clients and customers that fit your idea of ideal, you'll definitely want to come to this free webinar. I hope to see you there!
Even if you can't make it live, you should still register for the webinar—you'll get access to the call recording afterwards + you can watch the replay whenever!
(But, spoiler alert: everyone who attends the webinar live will be the first to hear the secret I've been keeping for the past 4 weeks… 👀)
WANT A SECOND SET OF EYES ON YOUR WEBSITE COPY TO MAKE SURE IT'S DREAM-CLIENT-DROOL-WORTHY?!
Let me introduce you to the BTL website copy audits… 😏
For founders, creatives, and business owners who don't necessarily want to hire a copywriter to write their website copy for them, but still want some hands-on help from a professional, I conduct comprehensive website copy audits!
It's simple: you write your copy, then I make edits to it. All of the details—process, timeline, deliverables, everything!—can be found right here.
Copy audits are perfect for you if you…
Are about to launch a brand new site & want to make sure your web copy is on point
Already have your site up and running & want validation that your web copy is bomb
Have been using the same web copy for a while & haven't been happy with how its converting, and you're in need of some help figuring out why
And I've got some availability in March + April to review your website copy (or sales copy, or email copy…) if you're looking for a hand! 😏
Thank you so much for reading today's email! If you liked this series, stay tuned: there's a whole lot more content like this coming soon. ❤️
Love u mean it!!!!!
P.S. This is completely irrelevant to our convo, but personal life update: I started 75 Hard yesterday (meaning 2x workouts/day—yikes!).
You may remember this from a newsletter over the summer, but back in August (I think?) I decided to swap out the “hot girl walk” for the “Ted talk walk” (aka listening to a Ted talk while on your walk), and I've decided to bring 'em back.
& If you're hoping to get more active, I want you to join me! Here are 8 Ted talks to listen to this week. 🥳
Hi, I’m Sara Noel—website copywriter and marketing mentor for creatives, copywriters, and all-around cool people. Thanks for reading this edition of the Tuesday Table of Contents! If you like my content and you want even more BTL in your life, here are a few ways you can connect with me:
Check out my services. I write website copy, sales pages, email sequences, blog posts, and brand messaging guides for entrepreneurs of all kinds! Maybe you’re my next favorite client. ;)
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Sign up for my web copy course. Actually, it’s not *only* about website copywriting—I also teach modules on copywriting basics, developing your target audience, search engine optimization, blogging, and email marketing.
Enlist me as your mentor. I have an entire in-depth blog post about my one-on-one consulting process for new and aspiring copywriters, if you’re interested in having a big-sis-style mentor to help you grow your freelance copywriting business & get results.
To get in touch with me directly, send me a DM or email sara@betweenthelinescopy.com. Have a great day!
xo, Sara