The Big 5: This is how to write an effective cost article for your business

You're just starting out as a content manager and you've been asked to write a cost article. Or maybe you're already an experienced content manager, but you're getting started for the first time They Ask, You Answer. In either case, you face the same challenge: How do you write an effective cost article?

You know it's important to be open and honest about pricing, but you're wondering exactly how to go about it. How do you provide insight into costs without quoting an exact price? What information should and shouldn't you give? And how do you make sure your article is not only informative, but also builds trust with your readers?

As a content manager at Buzzlytics, I've written several comprehensive cost articles - including for previous employers. So I know exactly what you're up against and how to overcome these challenges.

In this article I explain why it is so important to write about costs and give you a step-by-step plan to write the perfect cost article. After reading this article, you'll know exactly how to write a cost article that will help potential customers make a purchase decision as well as help you get found better in Google.

By being open and honest about your prices, you show that you have nothing to hide.

But first: why is it so important to write a cost article? There are three reasons.

By being open and honest about your prices, you show that you have nothing to hide. You answer a question that many people have, without them having to contact you first. This builds trust and increases the likelihood that people will eventually buy from you.

Often it is not possible to give an exact price because there are many factors that determine the final price. In a cost article, you can explain what those factors are. In this way, you help potential customers get a realistic idea of what to expect.

If you don't provide information about your prices, chances are someone else will. That could be a competitor, or it could be an independent party that doesn't know all the ins and outs of your product or service. By writing your own cost article, you have control over the information potential customers find.

When you think of a cost article, you may only think of articles with titles like "How much does product X cost?" or "What is the cost of service Y?" But there are more types of cost articles you can write.

Consider, for example:

• Articles on insurance coverage
• Articles on guarantees
• Articles on fines or hidden fees
• Articles on funding opportunities

So think broadly when considering cost articles to write for your business.

One of the most challenging aspects of TAYA for many companies is the emphasis on full disclosure and transparency. We are used to emphasizing mainly our strengths in our marketing and sales communications.

TAYA, however, asks us to:

• to be open about our prices, even if they are on the high side;
• be honest about situations where our product or service may not be the best solution;
• even mention our competitors if they are a better option for certain customers.

This may feel unnatural at first. But by being so open, you build enormous trust with your (potential) clients. You show them that you really have their best interests at heart, even if that means they don't choose you. In the long run, this will pay you more than short-sightedly trying to win every deal.

Start by making a list of all the factors that affect the price. Consider, for example:

• Base price of the product or service
• Accessories, features or add-ons
• Labor Costs
• Installation costs
• Shipping costs
• Package Deals

The introduction is crucial. This is where you must convince the reader to read on. Show that you understand who he is, what his problem is, and that you can help him solve that problem. At Buzzlytics, we use the PEP (Problem/Pain, Expertise, Promise) method for this.

Below is an example of an introduction written using this method:

In the main text, elaborate on all the factors that influence price. Use headings to divide the text and make it easy to scan. Use the factors you wrote down in step 1 as headings.

In the closing, give the reader a concrete idea of the cost and tell them what the next step is. Should he contact you for a quote? Can he request a free consultation? Make it clear what you expect from the reader.

At Buzzlytics, we offer concrete follow-up steps at the end of each blog. Sometimes that's reading an article, sometimes scheduling an appointment and sometimes a combination of the two:

The title is often the last thing you write, but it may be the most important part of your article. Use a title that matches the search query people are using, for example, "How much does [product X] cost? An overview of prices and options."

Create a short, clear URL that captures the essence of your article. For example: /cost-product-x

The meta description is the short text that people see in Google's search results. Use a question-and-answer format here to entice people to click on your article. For example, "Want to know how much [product X] costs? In this article, we discuss the various factors that affect price, such as..."

Writing a cost article does not have to be complicated. Using the steps we have discussed in this article, you can create an article that is both informative and confidence-inspiring. By being open and honest about the factors that influence price, you help potential customers make an informed decision.

Consider that many of your potential customers struggle with questions about cost. They want to know if your product or service fits within their budget, but are often afraid to contact you directly. By making this information accessible on your website, you remove a major barrier in their customer journey.

At Buzzlytics, we've helped many content managers write effective cost articles. Time and again, we see that these articles not only attract a lot of traffic to the website, but also lead to higher quality leads and a shorter sales cycle.

Ready to get started on your own cost article? Then start by making a list of all the factors that affect the price of your product or service. Or first read our article on how to write a blog that generates traffic, leads and sales. There you'll also read all about the content compass, a crucial step to take before you start writing.

Have fun writing your first expense article!