Web Writing Tips for PR People
These links will help you write for the web tightly and effectively. Learn how to write better web content, more effective online news writing, avoid web writing mistakes and find the best blogs for web writers. All web writing tips and resources, all the time!
Other PR Coach writing resources you may find useful include Blog Writing, Journalism Writing & Resources, News Release Writing Tips, Newsletter Writing Tips, and PR Writing Tips & Tools. Sites with a W are PR Coach “winners.”
PR TRAINING
Learn how to launch a powerful, effective online PR program using guerrilla tactics from Marcia Yudkin’s report Powerful, Painless Online Publicity.
4 Fatal Errors of Web Writing
Four fatal writing errors that stop visitors from finding info quickly and easily. Don’t shovel print online; keep it concise; avoid bureaucratic words; and don’t bury the lead.
9 Ways to Use Social Media to Inspire Your Writing
Valuable social media sources for writing inspiration.
10 Web Writing Tips
Though basic, Paul Hassing’s tips are worth reading.
11 Commandments of Creating Compelling Web Copy for the Non-Copywriter
11 tips to help you write better web copy.
20 Places to Find Online Courses for Writers
A useful list of online writing courses from the Freelance Writing Jobs Network.
20 Tips for Writing for the Web
20 solid web writing tips from Eric Reiss.
21 Must-Read Tips to Write Better Web Content
21 excellent article links to help elevate your web writing from Jay White. W
Basic Search Engine Optimization Tips
You need to SEO basics to be an effective web writer. A nice presentation walks you through the important points to know.
Be Succinct: Writing for the Web
Older post by web guru Jakob Nielsen still applies: succinct, scannable and linked.
Better Writing
180+ articles on better writing by Men with Pens. A superb blog and web writing resource! W W
Blah Blah Text: Keep, Cut or Kill?
Introductory web texts are too long. Use short intros and get to the point fast.
Chunks: Writing for the Web
What’s a chunk? How long is a chunk? These answers and more chunks right here.
Contentious
Any Gahran’s terrific blog on how we communicate in an online age.
Copyblogger
Copyblogger is Brian Clark’s superb blog on web writing. W W
Create Urgency on Your Key Web Pages
Urgency is a critical component in effective web copy.
Creating Web Content: How to Write a Book Review
Rachelle Money shows how to write an effective book review. W
Deep Linking Is Good Linking
Links that go deep into interior pages greatly enhance usability.
Excess Voice
Writer Nick Usborne provides superb web writing tips and resources. W
First 2 Words: A Signal for the Scanning Eye
Web readers are scanners. The first 11 characters must grab them.
Five Qualities of Effective Online Writing
Jennifer Williamson’s five tips are worth reading.
Five Tips (and a Bonus!) on How to Write a Fantastic About Page
If you’ve struggled with your website “About” page, James Chartrand will help you solve it. W
Give Your Web Site Headlines Some Space to Breathe
These headline writing tips will help you improve your reader impact.
Good Documents
A website with great tips on how to create good web documents. Lots of tips and techniques! W
Headline Writing Tips for Social News Success and Visibility
Five things Adam Singer says will help you write more effective headlines.
Hey, Shakespeare! Nobody Cares: Web Writing Tips
Jason Lee Miller offers his web writing tips and guidelines.
How a Good Title and Description Can Make or Break Your Social Media Submission
Here’s why good titles and descriptions can payback in social media.
How Little Do Users Read?
If you knew that users read only 20-28% of content, would you change what you write?
How to Write for the Web
Online Journalism Review has a handy primer on writing for the web.
How to Write for the Web: 23 Useful Rules
23 tips to keep you on track.
PR TRAINING
Learn how to launch a powerful, effective online PR program using guerrilla tactics from Marcia Yudkin’s report Powerful, Painless Online Publicity.
How to Write Headlines That Work
Eight time-tested headline categories that work. W
How to Write Web Headlines That Catch Search Engine Spiders
Great copy can be written for great search engine optimization too. Here’s how. W
How Twitter Makes You a Better Writer
Jennifer Blanchard shows how Twitter makes your writing better.
How Web and Print Headlines Differ
Learn how web headlines are different and how to write them.
I Still Like Writing Links That Include the Words “Click Here”…
Nick Usborne explores the value of simple, clear directions to readers.
Journalism 2.0: AP Stylebook Now Includes 42 Social Media Guidelines
At 450 pages, the most recent AP Stylebook really is the journalist’s and writer’s Bible, especially with new social media tips.
Microcontent: How to Write Headlines, Page Titles, and Subject Lines
You have 40-60 characters to explain your microcontent. Titles and headlines must explain exactly what it is.
Online Media Types
This chart gives a quick snapshot of online media types, characteristics and where or how to use them.
Overcoming the Most Common Mistakes
Here’s how to avoid the most common pitfalls and grammatical mistakes.
Pay Attention to What is “Above the Scroll”
Just like newspapers the most important is the top of the page content.
Provide Guidance on Where to Go
Make sure links and info are visible on first view without scrolling.
Reuters Handbook of Journalism
Reuters handbook is invaluable for journalists and web writers of all kinds. W
Search Engine Optimization Rules to Live By
Gerald Weber shares 10 SEO rules that make a dramatic impact on search results. W
Show Numbers as Numerals When Writing for Online Readers
The usability research is clear. Numbers work better than words every time.
Single Column Web Pages Convert Better
Nick Usborne shows single column web pages really are better.
Success Works
Learn all about SEO copywriting and content from Heather Lloyd-Martin.
The Art of Writing Great Twitter Headlines
Brian Clark shows how to write magnetic Twitter headlines.
The Secret to Search Engine Optimization: It’s About the Content, Stupid!
A reminder from Newt Barrett that content comes first, for readers and SEO.
Tips for Clear Websites
Simple guidelines for more effective websites.
Tips for Writing for the Web
Mindy McAdams has concise web writing tips.
Use Heads, Subheads and Summaries
Help readers skim or scan to find exactly what they want.
Use Lists
Lists are easy to scan and work well with links. Kinda like here.
Use Typography and Layout for Skimming
Bold fonts, short paras and borders help readers find info quickly.
We We Monitor
Calculate your copy’s customer focus with this free analytical tool. Cool. W
Web Writing Tips
U of Baltimore has basic web writing tips.
Web Writing Tips From ProBloggers and Online Writers
Lawrie Pawlik-Kienlin offers useful web writing tips and resources.
Website Content Writing Tips for Squidoo, Your Website or Blog
Learn how to entertain, inform and do well on search engines in any web content format.
What Makes a Great Website?
Timely original content, interactivity, good organization and easy navigation for starters.
World’s Best Headlines: BBC News
Precise communication in a handful of words everyday? Jakob Nielsen says BBC does usability right and shares his tips. W
Write Articles, Not Blog Posts
Research shows that rich, informative content is better at establishing credibility and expertise than short, shallow posts. This will give you pause.
Write for Reuse
Users often see online content out of context. That’s why you need to write with multiple use in mind.
Write Links That Don’t Have to Be Followed
Good links should give enough info that a reader knows if to click-through.
Write Newspaper Style
Use an inverted pyramid style with the conclusion first, followed by the details.
Write Well for the Web
Quick, practical web writing tips from U of Baltimore.
Writing for Public Relations: Introduction
Rich Becker shares an excellent intro to PR writing presentation. W
Writing for the Web
Here’s why web writing is different, what’s not different, how to use links and white space and more.
Writing for the Web
Crawford Killan’s blog is a must-read for web writers. W
Writing for the Web: Comparing Pages & Screens
Compares writing for print vs the web and offers good suggestions on how to improve web writing.
Writing Headlines People Will Read
Headlines are critical for web success. Make them count.
Writing on the Web
Patsi Krakoff is consistently helpful with her blogging tips. W
Writing Style for Print Vs Web
Read what the research says and clean up your web writing fast!
Zemanta
This is a writing and blogging tool with great potential. Zemanta suggests complimentary links, tags, visuals and related articles as you write content.
