Like it or not, writing online content is a big part of building any business. You can do it yourself, or you can hire a ghostwriter or copywriter or social media strategist or virtual assistant. Either way, the content for your website, sales pages, advertising, and for letters to your customers is essential. It might be easier than you think.
Tip #1 – Speak Wisely
The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. Ecclesiastes 10:12
Over and over again in the Bible, we are charged with taking our words into account. We are admonished not to speak foolishly, hastily, in anger, or corruptly. Apparently, God thinks words are necessary. So when it comes to writing for your website, it is helpful to have some good tips.
Tip #2 – Write for Online Reading
The way people read online is different than if they are reading a book. Think of your writing as similar to how a favorite magazine is written rather than a newspaper or a book.
We stare at screens so much these days and we usually only scan a website page. Readers scan content for headings, bold-faced words, and bullet lists. If these things catch the attention of the reader, they may continue to read in depth content.
Tip #3 – Make your content easy to read.
There are some simple and easy to follow guidelines for writing appropriate content. Once you catch the reader’s attention, you want to keep it.
- Short paragraphs – Short paragraphs are considered four sentences maximum. These short bursts keep the reader’s eye moving down the page and help prevent fatigue.
- Short sentences – Keep sentences to about 12 words on average. Some will be shorter and some will be longer. Sentence length variation also holds the reader’s interest.
- Avoid filler words – Filler words are the “um’s” and “uh’s” of writing. Avoid using words like just, very, really, completely, that, sort of, etc. Search for other lists of words to avoid.
- Avoid jargon, gobbledygook and technical words – Unless you are writing to an audience of your professional peers you want to avoid jargon, buzzwords and too much technical talk. In general, it will bore your readers. They won’t understand what you mean.
- Use active tense – Always let the subject perform the action in the sentence. Reading passive voice is boring. Use passive voice sparingly.
- Avoid needless repetition – Unless it is a style choice, don’t repeat yourself. Be clear about what you want to say. Say it and move on.
- Use the word you – When writing on your website, address your readers by using the word you.
Tip #4 – Use a proofreader
Technology makes avoiding spelling and grammar errors easy. Make good use of spell and grammar check tools. If you don’t understand the mistake, investigate it. It will improve your writing in the long term.
One tip I learned long ago to check for spelling errors is to read your content aloud. When you read something you wrote your brain automatically fills in the words. It is easy to overlook.
Another tip is to put something aside. Don’t read it for a while. Give it a week or a month depending on the length of your writing. Coming back to something a while after you have written it gives you a fresh perspective on the content. It can also lead to some of the most helpful self-editing you will ever do.
A second pair of eyes on everything you write is one of the most effective ways to make sure your writing is up to par and readable. Find someone you can trust to catch spelling and grammatical errors. You also want your proofreader to be able to edit your content for flow and clarity.
Tip #5 – Remember that Words are Powerful
In all you say online or offline, remember that words are powerful. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. You will be accountable for every idle word spoken – this includes your writing. Write with excellence and as if Jesus himself were going to read it.
Which one of these tips can you implement today in your writing? Which one have you never considered?
How can the folks at KarenBourg.com or Rhema Publishing House help you?