Writing for the web can be a bit tricky. It requires a different approach when compared to writing for more traditional media, such as newspapers, magazines, or pamphlets. I am new to web writing and have spent the past several months immersed in learning how to write effectively for the internet. I would like to share some of the things that I have found surprising as well as invaluable.
Any writer knows, regardless of the medium for which you write, it is of utmost importance to capture and maintain a reader’s attention throughout a piece. No reader wants to be bored to tears. However, writing for the internet requires a new level of engagement that would not be necessary for traditional print sources. Studies show that online readers are much more likely to skim an article than to read the article in its entirety. Readers are likely to make up their minds about an article by reading the headline and the first few lines. If a piece does not immediately engage, the reader is apt to move on. The internet is teaming with content, so it is crucial to put your best foot forward. From the beginning, prove you are going to inform and entertain. Keeping the attention of a reader may be challenging, but sometimes the most difficult aspect of web writing is getting a reader to your piece in the first place.
As a web writer, you are as much a marketer as you are a writer. Writing knowledgeable and engaging content is extremely important, however, much more is needed to successfully write on the internet. You must craft your writing in such a way that it maximizes traffic to your piece. SEO are initials that anyone who writes web content should be well aware. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the process by which you, the author, strategically place words or phrases in your writing to maximize the number of hits your piece receives via an internet search. It is critical to your success to write an attention grabbing headline with key words that effectively summarize your piece. Also, make sure your opening paragraph includes the same, or similar, key words that will make your piece easy to find for a reader conducting a search on your piece’s topic.
Writing a piece on the web may seem daunting at first. However, knowing what is excepted and a little practice can lead you on a path to being successful.
Works Cited
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/
