Writing for the Web: 4 Steps to Becoming a Content Whiz Kid

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Alterian leads the way in mobile with HTML5, powered by bemokoLive August 3, 2011
Alterian Content Manager Mobile solution has been enhanced with an HTML5 Optimiser. This advanced feature allows the development of mobile sites completely in HTML5. Smartphones that support HTML5 will benefit from all its advanced features. […]
Alterian appoints Heath Davies as Chief Executive and Phil Cartmell as Chairman July 13, 2011
Alterian is pleased to announce the appointment of Heath Davies as CEO and Phil Cartmell as Non-Executive Chairman. Heath replaces David Eldridge who stepped down in April and Phil Cartmell replaces Keith Hamill, who retires as Chairman on 5 Sept 2011. […]
Alterian Solidifies Partnership with Plusoft to Provide Holistic View of Customer July 5, 2011
Offering combines Plusoft’s expertise in customer relationship management (CRM) and Alterian’s industry-leading solution for marketing campaign management. […]

Jan

2011

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Found in Web Content Management by Elyse DeVries

These days, most marketers need to develop content for digital consumption on a regular basis. Sometimes in the midst of churning out material, we forget to take a step back and ensure that we are optimizing our writing for the web – both for the reader AND for search engines. Here are a few quick tips to help you become (or remain) a content whiz kid.

Keep it Concise – When it comes to writing web content, less is more. The average user is not going to stay on your web page for very long, and they may just scan the content to see if it warrants further interest. You have a very short amount of time to grab their attention. Respect your audience and don’t waste their precious time with fluff. Write your initial thoughts and cut out anything that is unnecessary.

Keep it Interesting – Use unexpected language. If you find yourself using the same boring old copy over and over again try taking a “vocabulary expedition.” Bust out the thesaurus and enter your over-used old phrases and tired jargon and come up with new ways of expressing yourself.

Or, if you are a visual learner, try one of my favorite tools – ThinkMap’s Visual Thesaurus. I’ve had some great brainstorming sessions on this website. It always seems to help me get going again if I’m stumped to find the right words.

If you stumble upon a blog that is using really interesting language, bookmark and return on a regular basis. Also keep lists of fun/interesting words to use for inspiration when you’re having trouble coming up with something creative.

Keep it Simple – You are not writing a research paper, you are writing for actual, everyday people. Remember the average reading level for a general audience is somewhere between 6^th-8^th grade level. Now is not the time to impress with your flowery language or your cache of obscure, large words. Ernest Hemingway wrote for a 4th-6th grade level – if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for you!

Keep it Searchable – Writing searchable content that is also “readable” can be quite a challenge. Sometimes copy that sounds and looks great doesn’t work for search and sometimes copy with all the right keywords doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of compelling content. Write your content to be readable first, then refer back to your list of top keywords and find the places where it makes sense to use these terms that you want to rank with. Don’t have your list of top keywords yet? Refer to this whitepaper from Connie Bensen – 4 Ways to Take your Search Marketing to a New Level with Social Media Monitoring to help you learn how to use social intelligence to improve SEO.