New Articles re: Content and Web Writing

What information is most helpful?

[jerseygirl]

There are numerous broad articles/posts about "web writing" and how it differs from brochureware or print. What other topics regarding content and web writing are of interest to you? What types of articles/posts would you like to see that aren't out there?

Here are a few ideas I had:

How do I Proof my Work?
A Writing and Editing Process
Pros and Cons of Outsourcing

Thanks!

[Nick_W]

Effective use of titles, teasers and excerpts.

Nick

[rogerd]

Focusing on the difference between writing for web and print, I wonder if there are any key stylistic differences. For example, should web copy feature shorter sentences and paragraphs? Simpler words? Do any of the tools available for analyzing document complexity provide useful advice for web writers?

[digitalghost]

>>Do any of the tools available for analyzing document complexity provide useful advice for web writers

Gunning-Fog should be kept at around the 8th grade level unless the site targets a demo with a higher average academic level.

>>How do I Proof my Work?

You shouldn't, someone else should proof your work. :)

I've found myself falling into a trap of late and it's the "writing for the web" trap. Never, ever, ever, write "for the web". Write for the reader. Use the web medium to increase the effectiveness of your writing. Teaser links, font color, bold font, section headers etc. Put the most important content above the fold.

The most useful information I find on writing for any medium comes from reading ads. Drag out the magazines and start poring over the ad copy. Want advice on attention getting headlines? Take a cruise down the interstate and read billboards. Read your direct mail copy. Successful direct marketers write excellent web-ready copy.

Finally, edit. Edit. Then edit again. Look for those words that aren't pulling their own weight. They're easy to find. If you can remove a word from a sentence and the sentence retains its meaning the word can go. Unless, it's one of those rare instances in which you can increase the force of the message by adding the word.

[Nick_W]

>>Gunning-Fog

...and that is?

Nick

[digitalghost]

Gunning Fog- [isu.indstate.edu...]

The less fog in your writing, the better. :)

[rogerd]

Perhaps the Gunning Fog Index would be a good article topic, Jerseygirl. ;)

What else would people like to hear about?

[digitalghost]

I called some fellow writers and they said;

Writing Copy That Converts
Attention Grabbing Headlines
Effective Text Layouts
Beating A Deadline
Overcoming Writer's Block
Cashing In On A Catchy Phrase
Accepting Rejection (a topic near and dear to every writer ;) )
How To Avoid Being Clever
Writing For The Reader
Research Tools
Researching A Subject
Does Jargon Sell?
When Is Technical Language Too Much?
When To Stop Writing
When To Stop Editing
Using The Proper Voice

Hawkgirl, where are you at? I know you have some input. :)

[aus_dave]

digitalghost, you might have helped me overcome point 5 with that list of ideas for articles :).

[jerseygirl]

Thank you for the great ideas! This list should keep us out of trouble for a few weeks.