The History Project Newsletter will periodically present ideas on writing styles and techniques. Here are some points made by Judy Cullins. The article is focused on commercial writing, but many of the points are valid for history writers as well, especially as it relates to conciseness and organization.


WRITING FOR THE INTERNET: SEVEN TOP TIPS
Judy Cullins © 2001

Online readers love information, but be sure your information is crisp, clear and concise.

Target your web content to your preferred audience. A good way to do that is to include your audience in the title or introduction. When you focus your information on your audience, you write more compelling, focused copy that your readers will love.

Keep your paragraphs short, even a line or two. Online readers will ignore long paragraphs in e-zines or web sites. You will lose sales. Respect readers who want short material.

Make your headlines compelling. Test them on associates, edit them at least five times. If your headlines are not compelling, visitors will go to the next web site.

Get to the point quickly in the title and the first sentence. Keep your introduction and conclusion to a sentence or two.

Make your copy strong, clear, and direct.

Tell your readers what you want them to do. They are waiting for your magic formula to make them richer, healthier, and happier.

Eliminate superfluous words, adverbs (like "ly"), and passive verbs. Replace linking verbs such as "is" and "was" with bold verbs. Use powerful words that sell!

Keep these tips in mind to bring potential buyers to your Web site, keep them at your Web site longer, and convert them to buyers.

WRITING ARTICLES FOR THE INTERNET

Write tips in this format. Use this three-sentence formula to bring the curious to you.

First, use a verb as a command.

Then mention the cost of not following your advise.

End with a positive comment.

Keep these tips in mind, so that your articles will bring folks to your Web site.



(Judy Cullins: author, publisher, book coach, Author of Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online and Write your eBook or Other Short Book-Fast! http://www.bookcoaching.com/products.shtml. Subscribe to FREE ezine "The Book Coach Says..." Email:Judy@bookcoaching.com. This information may be reproduced if the author's URL, email, and phone number are listed.)