02 Jan 10 Things to Consider While Writing for the Web
The Internet has changed the way we produce, consume, and process information. The way we interact with the online media is entirely different from the way we interact with print media. While going through any printed material we are relaxed, composed and at ease. We are more or less in receptive mode, but when it comes to the online media we are more into doing mode. We want to get the information quickly so that we can use it in our project or assignment at hand.
It will not be wrong to say that the online media is more or less an action media from where we gather information and put to our day to day use. Therefore, the content produced for this media should be different from the content produced for any other media.
Nature of online content
- Instead of reading each word people tend to scan through the material they see on the screen. Hence, the article should be easily scanable. We need to break an article into sub-headings and supply bullet points to make the article easy to read.
- Do not use impersonal pronouns like one, someone, they etc. Use ‘you’ instead of he, she, or one.
- Use conversational language, and do not beat around the bush. Be direct.
- The attention span of individuals surfing net is quite divided; therefore, supply images, tables, and lists to make the article easy to read.
- Holding readers’ attention is the key. And the lighter the article will be to the readers’ eyes the more time they will spend scanning the article.
- You just have ten to fifteen seconds to grab the readers’ attention. So the opening sequence should be powerful.
- The title of your article should build curiosity, which the content of your article should satiate.
- Do not use close- ended assertive questions in your titles which could be answered in ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
The web is a participatory medium. And your article is a way to start a conversation. Do not provide all the answers, leave scope for discussion. The more people will interact with you, the more involved they will become. This is how we build community on the web.
Tags: Attention Span, Break, Bullet Points, Bush, Conversational Language, Curiosity, Fifteen Seconds, Headings, Impersonal Pronouns, Interact, Opening Sequence, Participatory Medium, People, Scanning, Scope, Supply Images, Writing For The Web
23 Aug 09 Do you also Need Tips on Writing for Web?
How many times have you heard that writing for web is different from writing for print? I am sure, initially, you did not believe it. After all, writing is writing; how does it matter if it’s for print or for the Internet? Well, as a writer, I happen to agree with you, but as a reader, I strongly disagree with you. “Man, I do not have that much of time when I am on the Internet, so better give me something that I can read fast. I want an article that I can read while my Facebook page loads itself. I have to check my mail as well. Boss said the work he delegated in the morning should be finished in an hour. So, please give something that I can scan quickly,” shouts the busy professional inside me, despite my continual effort to shut the F#@@$#r.
Below, I am giving a handful of writing tips that will help people like me read more on the Internet, by the way, most of the people on the Internet are like me only.
- Use Headlines, headings and subheading that make sense. Keep clever lines safe for print.
- Use simple words. No one like using a dictionary when scanning through the Internet.
- Use short sentences to convey the idea.
- Use short paragraphs. Paragraphs that run into 10s of sentences are strict no-no for the web.
- Write a proper paragraph; one idea per paragraph.
- Break the articles into small chunks by using headings and subheads.
- Make your text more scannable by making important keywords bold, italic or by underlining it.
- Use lists like this one, wherever it is possible. It is easy to go through a list than a 10-sentence paragraph.
- Use objective language. Do not make your article sound like a promotion material.
- Link old articles or blog-posts on your domain to retain visitors for long.
Tags: 10s, Bold Italic, Boss, Chunks, Clever Lines, Continual Effort, Handful, Headings, Headlines, Internet Use, Mail, Objective, Page Loads, Promotion Material, Sentence Paragraph, Sentences, Short Paragraphs, Subheading, Using A Dictionary, Writing Tips
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