Attracting clients online requires getting visible on social media (and leveraging strategic collaborations…but that’s another blog post).
But—if you’re posting all day on social, or participating in bundles, summits, or podcast guesting but not getting consistent leads into your email list, something’s missing. That something? A clear, intentional call to action (CTA).
You know you should be using CTAs in your social posts, emails, and videos—but maybe you’re avoiding them because you don’t want to sound pushy or salesy.
Is Your Content Just Floating in the Online Void?
Without CTAs, your content is like a motivational speaker who never gives the audience a way to take action. People might nod along and feel inspired—but they won’t do anything. And if they don’t take action, you don’t get leads, sign-ups, or sales.
The good news? Calls to action don’t have to feel icky. In fact, they can feel natural, helpful, and even welcomed when done right.
The ‘Aha’ Moment: Why Every Post, Email, and Video Needs a CTA
This blog was inspired by a prospective client’s newsletter I read last week. She wrote an email that told such a compelling story that even I wanted to hire her! But there was no CTA. No next step for her audience. Just a beautifully written email that left readers hanging.
So here’s my advice to her—and to you:
Add a CTA to everything. Every post, every email, every video.
CTAs are not just for selling. They are a bridge—guiding your audience from consuming your content to engaging deeper with you.
The Simple Fix: Easy CTAs That Work
Your CTA can be:
- Engagement-based: Like, comment, or reply to a post.
- Content-based: Directing them to another valuable resource, blog, or video.
- Live video-friendly: “Comment below and let me know where you’re watching from!”
- Free offer-based: Directing them to a lead magnet or free workshop.
- Paid offer-based: Pointing to a course, audit, or coaching program.
More examples:
- Can you relate to this?
- Do you like ____________?
- What’s your favorite __________?
- Do you agree with this?
The key? Get your audience used to taking ACTION.
You may think they’ll do this automatically—but they won’t. So, help them out!
Avoiding the Ick Factor: How to Make CTAs Feel Natural
If you’ve ever hesitated to add a CTA because you don’t want to feel “salesy,” here’s a mindset shift: You’re not being pushy. You’re being helpful.
People need direction. They need to know what to do next. And when you frame your CTA as an invitation instead of a command, it changes everything.
Example of a direct CTA:
- “Get my micro course today to solve (specific problem).”
There’s nothing wrong with direct CTAs! But if it feels uncomfortable, try an invitation instead.
Example of an inviting CTA:
- “If you’d like my help, I invite you to check out my course.”
See the difference? It shifts from demanding to offering.
Social Media vs. Email List: Why You Need Both
Now, let’s talk about the biggest mistake I see online entrepreneurs making:
Relying only on social media.
Social media is great for visibility—but it’s not where conversions happen. If all your CTAs are just asking for likes and comments but never driving people to your email list, you’re stuck on a hamster wheel of content with no real results.
The goal? Turn followers into subscribers.
When someone joins your email list, they move from the ‘unaware’ stage to engaged lead. These are problem-aware people—meaning they willingly exchanged their email for a free resource because they have a problem they want to solve. That increases your odds of turning them into a client!
Because the truth is, posting all day without a strategy won’t grow your business. But adding simple, strategic CTAs will.
Your Next Step
If you’re ready to amplify your online authority, add hundreds of subscribers to your email list, and get more leads each month—without launches, Facebook ads, or relying on social media…
Join the Visibility Builders Society. For just $27 a month, you’ll learn the system that works—even if you have a small audience or haven’t created an offer yet.
