tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86920820937121933352009-08-18T03:31:12.398-07:00johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16807482005832189665noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692082093712193335.post-65797083183913498642008-01-27T06:11:00.000-08:002008-01-27T06:13:28.306-08:00Welcome to Content Writing Tips!<br /><br /><h2>When writing for the web</h2> <ul class="bullet"><li>shorter sentences, words and paragraphs</li><li>one idea per paragraph </li><li>concise text - half the word count (or less) than writing for print</li><li>the inverted pyramid style, putting the most important point or the conclusion first. </li><li>simple words</li><li>objective language to build credibility, rather than exaggerated claims or overly promotional words like "great", "tremendous" etc. </li><li>bulleted lists </li><li>highlighted text (bold or color, also hyperlinked text) for scannability</li><li>meaningful headlines and subheads, avoiding cute or clever lines</li></ul> <h2>Write better web content.<br /> Understand how people (don't) read on the Web</h2> <ol class="bullet2"><li><span class="subtitle">Reading on the web is too much work!</span><br /> Reading from a computer screen tires the eyes. People read <span class="subtitlered">25% more slowly on the web</span> than they read print material.<br /> <br /> That's why, web content has to be<span class="subtitlered"> 50% shorter</span> than print.<br /> <br /> </li><li><span class="subtitle">Readers on the Web scan text </span><br /> According to a study by usability expert Jacob Nielson, 79% of readers on the Web tend to scan or skim text rather than read word for word.<br /> <br /> <span class="subtitlered">Highlighted text</span> (bold or color, also hyperlinked text) and <span class="subtitlered">bulleted lists</span> aid scannability.<br /> <br /> </li><li><span class="subtitle">Readers on the Web are impatient </span><br /> Readers on the Web are in a hurry to get the information they want, and move on.<br /> They don't have the patience for <span class="subtitlered">obscure and complex text</span>. They don't enjoy scrolling through masses of text either.<br /> <br /> Since there are millions of alternative websites in cyberspace, they will quickly move to another site if they don't enjoy the information gathering experience on your site.<br /> <br /> Attracting attention and retaining reader interest is a challenge, specially as you have just<br /> <br /> <ul class="subtitlered"><li>10 seconds to grab attention with your web site content</li><li>55 seconds to develop an understanding of your company or product<br /> <br /> </li></ul> <p>To combat reader fatigue, make it easy for your Web users to get relevant information. <span class="subtitlered">Put the most important information at the top. Use clear and concise text.</span></p> </li><li><span class="subtitle">Readers on the Web are skeptical</span><br /> <span class="subtitlered">Credibility</span> is a major factor in retaining reader interest on the Web.<br /> <span class="subtitlered"><br /> Use objective language</span>, write meaningful headlines and subheads and <span class="subtitlered">avoid marketing jargon</span> or exaggerated claims to build credibility. Cute or clever lines could mean that the reader takes longer to get to the main point. <br /> <br /> Hyperlinks to the sources of your information or to related information also add to credibility.<br /> <span class="subtitle"><br /> </span></li><li><span class="subtitle"> Readers avoid information overload</span><br /> In an average workday, people suffer from information overload . They already have a large number of emails in their inbox to contend with, and several documents to read.<br /> They don't want to spend time and effort reading content that they may not find useful.<br /> <br /> Offer your readers<span class="subtitlered"> information in bite-size chunks</span> which are easily digestible. Use short sentences, short paragraphs, one idea per paragraph.<br /> <br /> Use <span class="subtitlered">meaningful headlines and sub-headlines</span> which help them nail the information they want, quickly and easily. </li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8692082093712193335-6579708318391349864?l=contentwritingtips.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16807482005832189665noreply@blogger.com1