How to Write for the Web PT1
Web writing is the best way to promote a web site, sell a product, or attract attention to a service. But, most web content is ignored by people who are reading and Google. The first thing a writer needs to do is build credibility. To do that they need good content; This means content that Google and web readers consider good, not what a university professor considers good.
This information is based on studies and research that I found on the web, as well as my own experience. If you want to read the statistics, then go to this page: http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/. There are a few dozen articles for people who are truly interested in mastering the art of web writing.
People do not read web articles. They <b>scan</b> web articles. To make the most of this, a web writer needs to do a few things that print writers do not need to do.
Highlight Keywords
Highlighting keywords is the most misunderstood. This doesn’t mean that you make every keyword bold. Trust me, I have seen this. Just highlight the keywords with the most important information in the same paragraph.
Sub Headings
Magazines and books need clever titles and sub titles. Web articles need short, clear and conscience titles.
Lists
Lists are good, but you need to keep them neat. I prefer to use sub headings and allow the reader to pick and choose what they need. Unless, the list is so short and brief, or there is almost no supporting information, then I’ll use lists.
Inverted Pyramid
This is a journalism style that starts with the conclusion first. Web readers are impatient. A web article needs to follow this pattern:
Conclusion
Why the reader needs to read the article
-Solutions to problems
-methods of improving performance
Important points
-information
-samples and examples
-outbound links to research
Summary
Author Credibility
Links to more articles
This is considered the inverted pyramid style of article writing.
Apr 29th, 2008 at 2:40 am
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