Let’s talk…

Let’s talk.

Learn more.

Start here.

Seen buttons like this on a website recently? Own a button that says something like this?

I understand – the gentle soul that is a self-employed creative really doesn’t want to bother the nice people who might need their help. I don’t mean that mockingly.

But tell me one thing: When you ask a question, do you appreciate an answer, or do you prefer to be teased and left to figure it out on your own?

Answer: No one cares what you like, they just want their question answered 🙂

Anyone who’s read your website enough to want a button to press, has a question they’re hoping you can answer.

They need a next step.

They’re thinking “Great, you do the thing I need, but I’ve never done this before so I have no idea what this might look like… What do I do next?“.

Just as importantly, what actually happens next?

Let’s talk doesn’t address either of those… When I hit Let’s Talk, are you going to ask for my phone number? Or a bunch of personal questions? Or what my budget is? And talk about what, your awards? Me? Life?

You might be thinking “so press the button and find out, what’s so hard?”, but as usability super hero Steve Krug says in Don’t Make Me Think (the best book in history about usability), many people won’t bother.

Let’s talk is what your boss says when your on the chopping block. Let’s talk are the words you never want to hear from your spouse. Let’s talk is a creepy pick-up line.

So what can you try that’s better?

Think about the actual very first step you take a new prospect through… You might need to pause and think about what you actually want people to do here.

As a first step, do you want them to:

• Jump on the phone with you as soon as possible?
• Send an email enquiry first, so you can filter them?
• Join a mailing list?
• Buy something?
• Download something?

There’s no exactly right way to do this, people just need some clarity. Buttons don’t need to be just one or two words either – use micro headers and footers to help, eg:

Button header: Book a free Strategy Call with Charlie

Button copy: Book your call now

Button footer: You’ll be taken to my calendar link to book a timeslot that works for you.

Again, not looking for exactly right, just something that helps answer the “what do I do next” question, and let’s them know what actually happens next.

Need help with this? Let’s talk (or just reply).