Writing's on the Wall: Web Needs Content
Teena Rose is a columnist, personal branding expert, public speaker, and career-marketing guru. She's author of a book on "How to Start a Resume Writing Business," entitled "Starting a Home- or Office-based Resume Business" ... a major tool you'll need to start, operate, and profit from a resume service. The book covers all the "nuggets" you'll need during the start-up and daily operations of a resume writing business.
There have always been aspiring writers who never had the chance to see their work published. Before the Internet, writers had to be educated in the craft or talented enough to be published in books, magazines, periodicals, etc.
The web, however, has opened up a completely new world for writers, creating a tremendous demand for free website content, whether it's high-end editorials or the most basic Ezine articles. One thing that every website owner wants is content that's useful. The Web is a place where the majority of the people simply want information. In the last decade, in offices and homes around the world, when people don't know the answer to something the common phrase has become, "look it up on the Internet."
Most web readers skim over copy at lightening speed, and seek information, rather than absorb it as they do from television, radio or newspapers. Web writing should hit readers over the head with content that announces the site's focus. When website surfers hit a home page, you have only a few seconds, so the content should be at the top of the page, and read clearly and concisely.
There are hundreds of sites with the same type of content, so web content writers should make sure they've targeted their audience. The information has to be useful and to the point, and the writer needs to remember that it's called the World Wide Web for a reason, meaning content can be accessed by anyone around the globe who has a computer and Internet connection.
The style of a web writer should be tight, conversational and lively. Surfers don't want Tolstoy when they read online content. They want to feel like you're speaking to them. So the words should be active, with simple declarative sentences in a tone that's personal and casual. In order to punch up online copy, add verbs, adjectives and nouns with some flair. Readers always respond to humor, especially with the volumes of drab content currently bogging down websites everywhere, so attempt to interject some tasteful wit.
The first rule in journalism school is to "never bury the lead." This is a classic mistake made by first-time writers who think a story should lead to a climax. Quite the opposite. The structure of a story should follow the inverted pyramid style, where the first few paragraphs summarize the story, providing the most substantial, interesting, and important information. The rest can fill in the details.
To draw a reader in and keep them interested, a headline is almost as important as a strong lead. Keep them short and sweet, especially when it comes to the Internet. The keyword is an important component for Internet search engines, so headlines should include relevant keywords that reflect the content of a story.
With any type of writing, the basics shouldn't be ignored. Online writing is still in its infancy, and there are plenty of bogus claims and myths found within Internet text. Sticking to the facts and fundamentals is paramount for any content writer who wants to establish a long career in this growing business. Sales & Marketing
Career Professionals Create & Utilize Marketing Messages that Get Attention New
Resume Writers Take Lead from Ad Writers New
Headlines Can Make or Break Advertising Success New
How Much Do You Charge For a Resume? New
The Power of Client Testimonials New
Tips for Free Press Coverage New
Prospect/Client Specific
Career Professionals: Should You Expect Customer Loyalty? New
How Does Your Business Differ from Competitors? New
Recouping Lost Sales New
30-Second Marketing Tip: Resume Cover Letter Writing New
Website/Content Development
Don't Be a Website Design Dinosaur
Online Search is On; Is Your Website Ready?
Web-Based Firms Do the Heavy Lifting for Your Business Idea | ::Job Bank Posting Services
::Recruiter Submission
::5-Part Interview Program | ::Resume/Online Portfolios
::Content on Demand (COD)
::Submit Your Article | 
|
Copyright 2009 BeyondTheCraft.com, a Resume to Referral site, All Rights Reserved
| 
