Get it good, get it done, and edit it later

One of the biggest hold ups we have when working on a website is getting the content to put into it. If you’ve never been involved in a website project, usually the content for the website is provided by the person or company who is commissioning the website, unless of course you hire a writer or work with a company who also offers copywriting.

While I do a fair bit of writing on this website, I don’t consider myself to be a expert writer, and it’s not a field I want to try to insert myself into. If you need a copywriter, I can recommend several. However, I think content is best when it comes from you. And here’s why.

Deepest Understanding: No one knows your business and its services better than you. You have the most intimate knowledge of the nuances, the specific value proposition, and the target audience. This translates to more authentic and accurate copy. You’ve lived it, breathed it, and likely refined it over time.

Passion and Enthusiasm: Your passion for your business is often contagious. This enthusiasm can come through in the writing, making the copy more engaging and persuasive. It’s hard to fake genuine excitement, and that excitement can resonate with potential customers.

Unique Voice and Perspective: Your individual voice and perspective are part of what makes the business unique. You can inject this personality into the copy, differentiating it from competitors and creating a stronger connection with the target audience. This helps build brand identity.

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With that being said, struggling to create the copy is definitely a pain point for many people. We see many websites get held up waiting for content to be created, or waiting while the copy is edited, refined, edited again. So my advice to anyone working on their website copy is this:

Get it Good. Get it Done. Edit it Later.

What do I mean by this?

• Get it Good: Your copy doesn’t have to be perfect. The truth is, as wonderful as you are, you aren’t perfect either. And no one should expect you to be. Write the copy, proofread it, make sure it gets across the point you want it to be make. But stop seeking perfection.
• Get it Done. Don’t delay your website launch for nonstop revisions of your content. Stop seeking perfection. Get it good enough, and put it on your website.
• Edit it Later. A good website is never “done” but is always a work in progress. One of the reasons you should stop seeking perfect is that you can go back and change your content after your site is launched. It doesn’t need to be perfect on day 1, because you can improve it on day 2, and day 3, and day 100.

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I have seen people make themselves crazy going through their content time and time again, changing words and phrases, making the tiniest changes. And here’s the truth that you don’t want to hear: most people aren’t going to read your content that thoroughly. They won’t notice if you forgot a comma in one place. They won’t notice if you change a word or title here or there.

What is important is that the message you are trying to convey hits it’s mark, and that doesn’t happen because you changed a semicolon to a comma or vice versa. And I love me a good semicolon; the former English teacher in me approves.

Does your content land with the target audience?

It may or may not, and you may not know the answer until you launch your website with your content. You could spend hours and days revising your content and still have it fall flat. But what if you cut your time in half, published the content, and then waited to see how your audience responds? Because you may have to edit it anyway.

Why is it a bad idea to delay your website launch?

Missing Opportunities: Every day you delay your launch is a day you miss out on potential customers, leads, and revenue. Getting your website up and running quickly is crucial.

Perfection is an Illusion: There’s no such thing as “perfect” content. You can always tweak and improve your website copy. Launching a functional website with good content is better than waiting for the “perfect” version that may never come.

Valuable Feedback: Launching your website allows you to gather real-world feedback from your audience. This feedback can help you identify areas where your content can be improved and refined.  

SEO Benefits: Search engines favor websites that are live and active. Launching your website sooner can give you a head start in search engine rankings and attract organic traffic.  

Momentum: Delays can kill momentum and enthusiasm. Getting your website launched can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue improving and growing your online presence.

Your website is a living and breathing entity. It’s meant to evolve and improve over time. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection hold you back from launching and reaping the benefits of an online presence.