|
Writing for the web is different to print writing for a number of reasons. For starters, your audience is staring at a bright screen, so they don't want to have to keep reading for long, meaning articles with a much shorter word length (starting at around 400 words) are more popular. Another thing to think about is the vast amount of content available online. With so much content competing for your audience's attention, if your article isn't giving them the information they need, they can easily navigate away from your page and look for another source - and often, they will. Adapting your style to suit the internet can be tricky, especially if you're new to the online world yourself. However, with a few simple ideas, you can make sure your online articles are e-friendly. Here are my top 10 tips for an easy style translation from the printed page to the computer screen. 1. Short, Snappy Titles Since there's so much to choose from, you'll want to make sure your article can be summed up in an eye-catching title that is short and to the point. Many people actually think the best way to get their readers' attention is to put their titles in block capitals, however, this is actually off-putting, and comes across like you are shouting at your audience. Instead, just tell them what the article is about in a few short words, and your article will be the one they turn to first. 2. Get to the Point People often scan the first two or three paragraphs just looking for the information they want. If there's no indication it's there, they'll just move on. Get straight to the heart of the topic in order to keep your reader's attention and let them know you have the information they're looking for. Try to avoid rambling or a long intro, and jump straight into the meat of the subject in order to keep their attention. 3. Length Matters A good word count goal is 400-800 words, for both readers and publishers. By aiming for this rough word count, you'll also be able to better plan your articles, and this will help you to remain concise. 4. Short Paragraphs As I've mentioned, reading from a screen is not easy, so make it more enjoyable. Present your article in short paragraphs, and your readers will find it much easier to read. 5. Use Sub-Headings Sub-headings are a great way to break down your article into smaller portions, making it more manageable for an online reader. It also makes scanning your article for relevance easier, so readers will know if you have what they're looking for right from the start. 6. Make a List Lists are hugely popular on the internet, probably because they are easy to skim. Popular types of list articles are 'Top Tips' articles (such as this article), and 'How To' articles. 7. Limit Your Links If you fill your article with links, readers will only want to click away from your page, and will be easily distracted. Limit the risk of distraction by cutting down on unnecessary links. 8. Avoid Sounding Like a Spammer Ever thought how spammy phrases like "click here" or "visit this site" sound? This sort of phrase just makes readers question your motives, and leads to distrust - so avoid spammy-sounding phrases and salesman speak. 9. Leave Them Wanting More Don't exhaust your knowledge in your article - leave your readers wanting more. Not only will this help you keep your articles concise and easy to read onscreen, it'll also encourage your readers to click through to your resource box links to learn more. 10. Be Self-Critical Editing is as important as writing when it comes to online content, so make sure you scrutinize every sentence. Remember, if a sentence or paragraph isn't teaching your reader something, it isn't necessary - so get rid of it. Following these 10 tips will allow your article to be most attractive to internet readers. The idea is to catch an internet reader's attention early on (with your title, and also with your first paragraph), to make your article visually easy to digest, to provide content of excellent value, and also to leave the reader wanting more. Steve Shaw's article distribution service has helped thousands of business owners worldwide build traffic, leads and sales to their websites. Submit your article to 100 top article directories for just $2 - go now to http://www.submityourarticle.com
Related Articles -
article marketing, online writing, content writing, writing for the web,
| 
