The Secret To Writing Successfully For the Social Web
Posted on January 29, 2010 in The Basics by admin
Master The New Net, social media, susan rice-lincoln
Social media is a lot about writing. Your Fan Page, your website, your profiles, your blog. All require high-quality, coherent writing suitable for the New Net.
Here are some important tips to bear in mind when you are writing for the Social Web.
- Headlines are King; it is the first thing people see so grab their attention with a captivating headline
- People don’t read, they scan
- First the headline
- Then the subheads
- Pull reader through copy with subhead
- Combination of headlines and subheads tell the whole story
- Use plenty of white space
- Black text on white or off-white background is easiest to read
- Emphasize the most important concepts first:
- Headline
- Opening paragraph with conclusions first
- Less important ideas follow
- Break up web copy into readable, bite-size chunks
- Keep paragraphs short
- Present one idea per paragraph
- Use clear, uncomplicated language
- Short words
- Simple sentences
- Use bullets to summarize content
- Highlight key ideas with bold, italic or underlining
- Use boxes to set off testimonials, stories or case histories
- Avoid corporate speak
- Stand out in the crowd with a unique writing voice
