Maybe I am The Scarlet Witch… Maybe I’m Not.

“Maybe I am The Scarlet Witch.

Unaware that I’ve created a false reality, but not false enough to mean that it doesn’t exist - that the people inside aren’t real.

Does that make me schizophrenic?

I used to think that I was screaming death in his face and scaring him away. Like I was some fierce being that couldn't be defeated. Like I had actual powers or something. I used to think that if she died, I would release a silent rage, a silent pain, that destroyed everything.

A silent pain heard and felt and seen and touched and breathed.”

How did I write this intro?

I used trending topics of the time.
I used my own experiences.
I used my own emotions.

The story, although written as prose poetry, or experimental autobiography (which has very little rules), is a fictional story.

That doesn’t mean that it’s a lie.
Or that it’s a falsehood.

It’s not a story written to lead people on.
It’s also not a story meant to hoodwink or trick someone.
It’s not a story selling anything.

But you know what? People did buy in.
It was rated as a top story in July 2022 on Vocal.

How did I claim Top Story?
By accident.
No, seriously.

I wrote from my heart, I used extremely descriptive and emotional imagery, I didn’t care if my words were too sad, or too angry, or too much for my audience.
I just wrote.
And I kept writing until I cried all over my laptop.

My biggest belief in my storytelling:
If you, the author, can’t stop crying while you write the story, you’re doing something right.

Emotions are the biggest connectors that we have to one another.
And that includes our audience and clients!

My top 3 top of mind storytelling tips that you can use to connect with your audience and to evoke that emotional reaction are:

(Everyone says: “know your audience” is key, I’m ignoring this, it’s said too much, and sometimes, when you ignore the audience, and write the words locked inside, you can create some really powerful stories.)

1. Create Relatable Characters

My relatable character: Me.

And your relatable character? You.
You know you better than anyone.
You know what moves you.

By creating a character that embodies you, and in turn, your audience, you will be able to connect your audience with the heart of any story - through yourself.

2. Build Emotional Investments

When your audience cares about the story, they’re invested.
They want to know what’s going to happen next.
They want to purchase that one thing that solves the problem.

Creating anticipation and emotional investment can be achieved through conflicts, tension, and resolutions.
All three of these things keep the audience engaged and wanting to know more.
Therefore, they keep reading.

3. Show, Don't Tell

Letting emotions unfold through actions and dialogue make the story more immersive.

Which makes the story more real.
Which ties into creating an emotional investment.
Which ties into the customer journey.
Which we’ll get into in another episode…

Stay tuned!

To read my full story about The Scarlet Witch, check out my Vocal Media profile:

https://vocal.media/poets/maybe-i-am-the-scarlet-witch

To subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter, Write on Time, where this article was originally published, click the link below!
https://bit.ly/3vl6zWo

The Path to Success: How to Navigate the Customer Journey

It is time...

To dive into the customer journey!

Understanding your customer journey is crucial for success.

Whether you're a pro or you're just getting started, optimizing your approach can significantly impact your results.

This article is all about exploring how to navigate the customer journey - with precision - and leveraging the power of storytelling to create compelling marketing content.

If you're looking for specific steps to take to build on your existing strategy, look no further.

Understanding the Customer Journey

Before we get into the art of marketing and copywriting, it's essential to grasp the customer journey as a concept.

This is the path a potential customer takes from first becoming aware of your brand to making a purchase and to then becoming a loyal brand advocate.

Customer Journey Stages:

Awareness: Your audience becomes aware of your product / service. It's crucial to employ various marketing channels to reach potential customers effectively.

Consideration: Potential customers evaluate your offerings. Incorporating highly persuasive copy that highlights the unique benefits of your products or services can, and will, sway your potential customers' decisions.

Conversion: The moment of truth. Converting a lead into a customer requires a compelling call to action in your copy.

Post-Purchase: The journey doesn't end after a sale. Nurturing relationships with customers post-purchase ensures they return and also encourages them to refer others.

The Power of Storytelling

I keep saying it, but effective storytelling is a secret weapon - it's an art form - in both marketing and copywriting. By weaving storytelling into your brand and content, you will start to see more opportunities to engage, connect, and persuade your audience.

Quick and easy storytelling breakdown - I have to keep it short here otherwise this article will become novel -

Craft Your Brand Story: Start with your brand story. Share the 'why' behind your business, your mission, and your values. Customers love to support brands with a compelling story.

Customer Success Stories: Feature customer testimonials and case studies in your marketing materials. (Called user-generated content) Real-life stories build trust and demonstrate the value of your product or service.

Create Engaging Content: In blog posts, social media, and emails, infuse your copy with stories that resonate with your audience. Stories make your content memorable and relatable.

Tailoring Your Copy

Once you've embraced the art of storytelling, it's time to tailor your copywriting to the various stages of the customer journey.

Awareness-Stage Copy: Attract attention with informative and engaging content. Use compelling headlines, catchy taglines, and visually appealing graphics to spark interest.

Consideration-Stage Copy: Focus on the benefits and unique selling points of your product or service. Create comparison guides, testimonials, and how-to articles to help potential customers make informed decisions.

Conversion-Stage Copy: Craft persuasive and action-oriented copy. Use strong CTAs, limited-time offers, and clear value propositions to encourage prospects to make a purchase.

Post-Purchase Follow-Up: Keep the customer journey alive by sending personalized thank-you notes, recommendations, and exclusive offers. Show appreciation for their business and maintain a positive relationship.

Measuring and Optimizing

No customer journey strategy is complete without ongoing measurement and optimization. And of course, us marketers love to see these numbers.

Analyze Metrics: Regularly monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to understand how customers interact with your content. This data can inform your future marketing and copywriting efforts.

A/B Testing: Experiment with different approaches to see what resonates with your audience. Test headlines, CTAs, and content formats to refine your strategy.

Customer Feedback: Encourage feedback from your customers to understand their experiences and identify areas for improvement. Use this insight to enhance your copy and offerings.

Continual Learning: Stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and copywriting techniques. The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and ongoing education is key to staying competitive.

To sum it all up:

In the ever-changing and dynamic world of marketing and copywriting, mastering the customer journey is a continual process.

By understanding the customer journey stages, realizing and UTILIZING the power that storytelling brings to your marketing, tailoring your copy, and consistently measuring and optimizing your efforts, you can and will enhance your marketing strategy to build lasting customer relationships.

Incorporate these tips to your strategy and watch your marketing and copywriting game start to grow and in return, you'll start seeing long-term successes as a result of your efforts.