How To Write An Effective CTA For Social Media

How To Write An Effective CTA For Social Media

Writing an effective call to action (CTA) for social media and digital marketing content is a critical component in getting your desired audience to engage with your material. Here are the six things to keep in mind in order to craft an effective one:

1. Know the intended outcome you want the reader to take
2. Write persuasively
3. Define your action word
4. Make sure it’s urgent
5. Tailor it to the channel you’re on
6. Clearly describe how the reader benefits from taking that specific action

Let’s take a deeper dive into each item to show how you can write CTAs that help your social and digital content turn your prospective customers into clients. But first: what exactly is it?

What is a Call to Action (CTA)?

A call to action (also known as a CTA) is copy meant to motivate your social media audience to do something — a specific action you want them to take based on an offer within your online content.

There are a number of actions you may want your reader to take. A CTA is typically strategically placed. For example, if it’s embedded as part of a blog post on your real estate website, a CTA will usually be included near the end after the reader has completed the post. It could also appear on a social media post or as a popup ad when visiting your site.

You should write all CTAs with this in mind. Try to adopt the reader’s mindset. The key is to make them an offer for something they want. In the case of a real estate agent, that could mean showing them houses in their area. It could also mean offering them some sort of free product meant to educate them on homebuying if they’re not as far along in that process. Or it could mean getting them signed up for your mailing list so they can receive information on future listings.

The process for writing an effective CTA is simple but not easy. By following the steps below, you can craft an effective CTA for your content.

Know The Intended Outcome You Want The Reader To Take

You can’t start a race without knowing where the finish line is. You must begin with the end in mind. The same goes for writing an effective CTA.

The first step is knowing the action you want to occur. Are you offering a free informational product designed to position you as a subject matter expert on real estate in the area? Do you want them to sign up for your email list so you can contact them about future real estate listings? Would you like them to sign up for a free consultation on properties available in the community?

There are a variety of actions you may want your reader to take. The key is to define one for your CTA (that’s right, just one — stay focused!) and be sure to include it. It will help you attract more potential clients interested in buying a home.

Write Persuasively

There are a few techniques for writing persuasively that can help your CTAs become more convincing and lead to more customers:

• Include statistics that back up your claims. Do research for statistics on real estate statistics in your area — how many people are buying, where they tend to buy, etc. This underlines your offer with authority.
• Use a quote from another satisfied home buyer that you found a property for, or statistics about the number of prospective customers you’ve assisted with their real estate needs in a given period of time.
• Give them a timetable for their response (more on this below).

A straightforward offer can work just fine, but writing persuasively can create the perception that your services are in-demand and backed by customers who can prove you can get the job done for your clients.

Define Your Action Word

The action you want the reader to take should be reflected in an action word. This is the part of the CTA where you essentially give your reader homework — you’re giving them an action to perform to get to your desired end state. There are multiple action words or phrases you may use, including:

• “Download”
• “Sign up”
• “Contact”
• “Email”

Whatever word you choose, it should be a verb that moves your reader towards action. It should give the reader a job to do. That job should be to move closer to buying one of your homes.

Make Sure It’s Urgent

Make the reader feel as if they need to engage with you right now to get the most value out of it. You can do that by including a sense of urgency within the CTA itself. Do this by including some sort of time limit. Some examples include:

• “For more on some of these great listings, contact me today!”
• “Order your copy of my guide on finding the perfect home while supplies last.”
• “Sign up for my seminar on how while space is available!”

Again, you’re giving your prospective clients the notion that they need to act fast to get your services. You don’t want them to think they can take you up on your offer tomorrow or next week. You want them to take action now.

If you are in high-demand and have trouble fitting new clients into your schedule for consultations, tell them this! Let them know that to get on your calendar for a look at some great properties, they’ll need to act fast. This increases the perception that you’re offering great homes, especially if you have a hard time scheduling consults.

Tailor It To The Channel You’re On

If the CTA is part of your blog post, you can use a hyperlink on the specific action words (try to keep it short, at 2–7 words). If your CTA is on one of your social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, use a button.

Clearly Describe How The Reader Benefits From Taking That Specific Action

Finally, while it’s important to be brief, it’s also critical that the CTA makes it evident to the reader how they benefit from taking action. For example, if you want to offer a free consultation, you could say that. Or you could say, “Email me for a free consultation to find your dream house.” You want to entice the reader by helping them visualize their goals.

Keep the focus on what you can offer them, which should be a great property they can’t find anywhere else.

You’re painting a picture in the reader’s mind of the exact reason why taking action will be a positive thing for them. It makes them much more likely to comply when they understand how it behooves them to do so.

By following these practices, you increase the likelihood that the readers of your social media and other digital content will take the next step on their buying journey with you. When they come across your content online, they’re still in the research phase of the homebuying process. With a well-designed CTA, you can help them narrow down their options so they explore your offerings for more information.

Ready to join a supportive community geared for long term results and longevity? Connect with other real estate agents, ask questions, get answers, and discover the motivation you need to keep growing your business through social media. Find REal Strategies. REal Advice. REal Results. Contact us or Click HERE to learn about The Hashtag Agent Academy!