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Writing For The Web
by: Ann Silberman
Want to try your hand at writing for an online publication? While the pay scale for online articles is still lower than for print magazines, the web is catching up. Many sites now pay in the hundreds for a 750 word article. Aside from money, there are other rewards to online writing. You will see your article published far sooner than in a print magazine - and the response of an editor to a query is also typically quicker. This lack of waiting allows you to come up with more ideas and publish more articles, which quickly makes up for the pay differences. Researching the publication is a much simpler matter than with a print magazine since it's right at your fingertips - no more hours at the library.
You should be aware, however, that writing for the web requires far different skills than does writing for a magazine or newspaper. Research has shown that people who read articles online are less likely to spend a lot of time reading, the way they might a magazine article. Computer screens are tiring for the eyes and they read about 25% slower than paper. Readers are typically restless and less likely to read long articles, and they are more likely to scan for keywords, or skim the article. If the information the reader is seeking isn't readily apparent, another article is just a mouse click way. Each page has to compete with thousands - even millions - of other pages with similar information.
Therefore, you have to use certain techniques to be an effective web writer:
Concise Writing: Web writing requires tightly written articles. There shouldn't be extraneous information or wordy explanations. Word count should be half of what it would be for a similar print article. Bulleted items are a good way of presenting key facts.
Style: The tone should be personal and conversational, and above all, direct and to the point. State your position immediately, then explain your reasoning later. Headlines are important, and the headline text has to stand on its own; often, a reader may choose to skip a section entirely. Break up long pieces of information by using hypertext.
Straight facts: Online readers don't want a bunch of hype, advertising or adjectives. No teasers to get readers to click somewhere else. No build up before getting to the point. Your readers want information, and they don't want to have to work for it.
Writing for the web can be very rewarding, but throw away the old rulebook. A different type of reading requires a different type of writing. When composing your first web article, remember these points, and you will be in demand.
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About The Author
Ann Silberman has published numerous articles, both online and in print. She is the webmaster of a site for writers, AWritersLife.net, and she puts out a weekly newsletter designed to help freelance writers earn greater success. For more information, or to subscribe to the newsletter - see the site. http://www.awriterslife.net
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