03 Oct 09 5 More Ways to Improve Your Writing Part-XII
We have come a long way, and now the writing tips journey is approaching the finish line. This is the second last article of the 5 Ways to Improve Your Writing series, and in this part we will talk about how to write to improve your writing.
Work on Headlines
A headline of any write-up is as important as the write-up itself. Always remember, 70-80 percent of your readers will go away without even reading a single line, if your headline is not attractive. This is even more important for the copy or content that you write for web. I will suggest you to keep a notebook of headlines. Maintain a repertoire of effective headlines.
Comment on your favorite blog
Commenting on your favorite blog will keep you in touch with the blogger whom you like, and it will also make you write on new topics. Make a habit of commenting on 2-3 blogs daily.
Write even when you do not feel like
At times, writing seems like a drag, you just cannot squeeze a word our two out of your damn head. You just want to go away. Do not do that, rather keep on writing. The best way to keep such feelings in check is to write only. Keep squeezing words even when you do not feel like writing.
Make a note to revisit later
A brilliant idea just flashed in your mind but you cannot use it now in your writing, what should you do? Well, do not move on without writing it down. Make a note of the idea before you move on.
Write for publications
Writing for publications is different than writing for web, but I suggest you to try your luck in publication. Pick a magazine and send your writing idea along with a sample of your style of writing to the editor, and see if the editor approves it. Repeat this process until you get an assignment. At this point, do not concern yourself too much about the size of the publication, and circulation of the magazine.
Tags: blog, Blogger, Brilliant Idea, Circulation, Damn Head, Feelings, Finish Line, Habit, Headlines, Journey, Magazine Writing, Notebook, Single Line, Writing Tips
29 Aug 09 Write A More Appealing Headline
If you write anything on the internet, for which you hope to garner attention, you absolutely need a good headline. Studies have shown that 8-10 web surfers will notice your page based upon the headline of an article alone. But that number drops to 2-10 after that headline is read, which means you need to always make sure that your headline is as interesting, as well as informative, as possible. In order to beat that popular curve, and drive more traffic to your site, you need a headline that is going to pull in the readers.
That means using the right keywords. If we’re talking about the videogame world, for example, you want to throw out the name of the platform you’re talking about immediately. That means emphasizing “Xbox 360” or “Wii” as that’s where most of your searches are going to come from. But after that, it’s how you use the keyword to your advantage.
You want a good short headline, that’s going to catch someone’s attention, while informing them of why they want to read your article. For example, sticking to the videogame world, something like “How To Beat Your Friends On Xbox 360” isn’t really going to pull anybody in. Sounds too generic, uninformed, and also doesn’t excite the audience for what your writing can do for them, not to mention it’s much too long. “Dominate The Xbox 360” is a much more concise crowd grabber, more general, so as to lure in a broader interest. Plus the shorter headline just makes you feel more pumped to read the article, and get what you can from the information.
Go for big keywords, short headlines, and use gripping vocabulary. Words that really jump out and grab people, so that they have no choice but to read what you’ve written. Remember, your headline is your first introduction to your piece, so try and make sure it’s something that people will want to read.
Tags: Advantage, Audience, Crowd, Curve, Drive Traffic, Headlines, Videogame World, Vocabulary Words, Web Surfers, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360
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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