Be A Better Web Writer in 10 (EASY?) Steps

Here’s an article appearing on Masthead Online that basically gets its info from Joy Gugler, the EIC of Suite. In other words, the tips provided are basically those strongest emphasised to Suite’s writers.

Here’s the 10 Steps outlined in the article:

1. Articles should be 400-600 words per page.
Try editing your mammoth print pieces into two or three smaller articles. You’ll be trippling its Web value while preventing reader fatigue.

2. Title articles transparently, thinking about search terms.
Titles are what sell your article to search engines. Robots don’t understand “cute.” Calling your new atomic chilli recipe “Some Like it Hot” will only attract the occasional pervert. Call it what it is: A Recipe for Atomic Chilli.

3. Write leads for news feeds and RSS.
Many Web nerds use software such as RSS to monitor their favourite sites, informing them of a new article or posting. Typically, only your lead will show up in their browser, so you have to make it stick.

4. Use short paragraphs: 50 – 75 words.
It’s hard to read online. Smaller paragraphs with one clear focus are easier to digest.

5. Use bold subheadings that contain keywords.
Web readers spend less than ten seconds on an article. “Use subheadings to break up long copy and to indicate where you’re changing tack,” Gugeler says. “These should contain strong keywords, be in Upper Case and bold.”

6. Bulleted/numbered lists make for easy reading on screen.
People love lists, especially on the web.

7. Optimize for 1-2 keyword/phrases and variations.
Vary the phrases you use to describe the focus of the article. “This will cast a larger net and catch readers  who approach the topic differently,” Gugeler says. “Use proper nouns, places, names and brands that feature in your article.” You can’t be too specific.

8. Input your top 6-10 tags for reference.
Loose keywords, or tags, are hidden behind the text in the html coding. Search engines use this to index the site. Again, be specific. Don’t put your publication’s name or byline—the Google bots already have those.

9. Embed links to related onsite articles (anchor).
Like a well-designed shopping mall, you want to keep people in your grasp for as long as possible. Provide links to other articles on your site. Use keywords rather than writing out the entire URL.

10. Attach a clear and appropriate colour photo, properly credited and captioned.
Just like in print, people love looking at good photos. In the end, Web publishing is not that different from what’s done on ink and paper. Quality still wins out—you just have to package it right.

These are really good tips for those who have no web writing  experience. This is the basic “what you need to know to write for the web” crash course. It’s also a good refresher for those who write for Suite.

My “Be a Better Blogger” To Do List

This list will be updated as appropriate. Feel free to contribute ideas!

1. Become familiar with HTML. Seriously. WordPress and Blogger are great as far as blogging platforms are concerned but it seems as if a lot of pay-blogging sites are looking for their bloggers to be at least familiar with the basics of HTML. I will be picking up a copy of HTML for Dummies ASAP.

2. Comment on other Blogs. This is an easy way to network with fellow bloggers out there in the big ole blogosphere. I’ll admit that I am very lazy with this. While I always make an effort to respond to every comment someone leaves me on my own blog, I always hesitate to comment on the blogs I am reading. I’m not sure why this happens. I get excited when new posts are up on my blogrolled sites. I read them with vigor and try to learn as much as possible. I just don’t usually comment. I feel like unless I have something of worth to add to the conversation, I’ll be just another “good post!” commenter bringing nothing new to the table. I need to re-think my approach and see this for the opportunity that it is. Commenting = Networking. Networking is GOOD. Any questions?

Editorial Internship

Editorial Intern for mediabistro.com (Midtown East )

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Reply to: editorialcareerseast@jupitermedia.com
Date: 2008-06-26, 3:40PM EDT

Editorial Interns

mediabistro.com’s growing editorial department seeks interns to assist its news and features editors this summer.

mediabistro.com is dedicated to anyone who creates or works with content, or who is a non-creative professional working in a content/creative industry. That includes editors, writers, television producers, graphic designers, book publishers, people in production, and circulation departments — in industries including magazines, television, radio, newspapers, book publishing, online media, advertising, PR, and graphic design. Our mission is to provide opportunities (both on- and offline) for you to meet each other, share resources, become informed of job opportunities and interesting projects, improve your career skills, and showcase your work.

Job Requirements:

Copy editing, research, reporting, writing and assisting editors.

Interns will also have the opportunity to report and blog for FishbowlNY; to work closely with our editorial team, bloggers, freelancers, and community; to cover media events; and to be a part of one of the fastest-growing and best-known media companies around.

Interns will be responsible for compiling and maintaining mediabistro.com’s Revolving Door section, copy editing and proofreading site content, transcribing, and producing articles as needed.The ideal intern candidates will be:

Detail-oriented proofreaders and copy editors.

Talented writers willing to step up in a variety of roles.

Independent workers with enthusiasm for media.

Familiar with mediabistro’s editorial content.

Acquainted with HTML, blogging, and design.Willing to work flexible hours as needed (covering evening events on occasion).You MUST be able to receive academic credit for this internship.

Interested candidates please email your resume to editorialcareerseast@jupitermedia.com

• Location: Midtown East
• Compensation: College Credit
• This is an internship job
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 733650800

AP Style Guide is Updated

For us writers, there is a particular style guide that we have been taught to refer to when we were first starting out. For many of us, that guide is the AP (Associated Press) Style Guide. I’ll admit it is the one that I use most frequently. As a matter of fact, unless otherwise told, this is the one that I ALWAYS use. (Side note, a lot of people have been pushing the Chicago Manual of Style on me, so I just dropped an obscene amount of money on a copy in case the need for it arrises.) Here’s a fun Gawker take on the new changes and updates.

Book Shopping

So I bought a bunch of writing-related books and I thought I’d post the list in case any of you are interested. I’m hoping that they motivate me to do more writing in terms of quality and quantity, find my writing niche, get unstuck when I am caught in a bit of writer’s block, make the most of my blogging opportunities, familiarize myself with CMOS, and learn to write more tight copy. Whew! Not too much to ask for! What are you reading?

Write Is a Verb: Sit Down, Start Writing, No Excuses by Bill O’Hanlon

Ready, Aim, Specialize!: Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money! by Kelly James-Enger

Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Third Edition: How to Make $100,000 a Year or More by Robert W. Bly

Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments by Jenna Glatzer

Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: A Woman’s Guide to Unblocking Creativity by Susan O’Doherty

Start Your Own Blogging Business by Entrepreneur Press and J.S. McDougall

The Chicago Manual of Style

Write Tight by William Brohaugh

Problogger by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett

Writer Mama by Christina Katz

Elance Has Been Horrible This Month

I haven’t been impressed with the job postings on Elance this month. They seem to be consisting of more and more “bulk” jobs (ex. 50 articles) and not anything that interests me. I’ve applied for some editing/proofreading jobs this month because I could use the extra money but unfortunately none of those have panned out.

There is one more job I am considering, though I don’t know enough about the whole blogging for money industry to determine if it is worth it. Essentially the subject is something I am familiar with and would not have any problems formulating topics to blog about. However the pay is $5/post. While the employer doesn’t specify word count (leaves it to the writer’s own judgement), I am cautious that I will end up writing and re-writing a 300 word blog post over and over again for the sum of $5 (less Elance fees). Also, Elance has a minimum bid of $50, so I’d have to bid on 10 blog entries (at $5/each) just to bid the job to begin with.

What do you think? Have any of you been paid to blog for someone else? Is $5 per post a good rate?

more cat pictures

Summertime Slacking Makes Your Blog Suffer

It’s not a surprise to anyone that we are lazier in the summer months than any other time of the year. Could it be those months off for summer vacation during our childhood inevitably carry over into our adult work habits? Whatever the reason, it’s easy to get caught up in all the activity that goes on in the summer and our blogs and other writing endeavors suffer. Problogger has a great post about 10 reasons we let our blogs go and what we can do to resuscitate them especially when we’re busy with other things.

The Style of Web Writing

When considering the freelance realm as potential career choice, you need to know one thing. This one thing will probably do as much for you as, hell let’s be honest, having the ability to write. So what is the “one thing” I speak of? Pay attention to this little gem: writing for the web is entirely different that writing in any other capacity.

For your reading pleasure, enjoy this piece by Caleb Crain originally posted on his blog on June 17. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

Summer Intership in NYC for About.com

If any of you are college students you might want to check out this internship opportunity:

PR Summer Internship

Publication or Company	About.com
Industry	Internet/Online/New Media, Marketing, Public Relations
Job Duration	Internship
Job Location	new york, NY USA
Job Requirements	SUMMER INTERNSHIP: About.com (www.About.com), one of the 15 most visited Web sites in the U.S. and one of the Web’s leading producers of original content, is seeking a intern that has familiarity with the media industry and online sector. 4-5 Days a week (hourly salary or college credit options available) Job Location: New York, NY Job Requirements Skills & experience: Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program Communications, PR, Advertising or Journalism majors a plus Previous PR internship experience a plus, but not required Word/Excel, Knowledge of Cision, Factiva and Burrelle’s a definite plus Internet savvy Responsibilities: Media & blog monitoring Search for new media outlets to pitch our experts Some writing and phone calls to update lists & gather information Some consumer pitching Assist in fielding inbound consumer media inquiries Monthly clip reports
About Our Company	At About.com, employees are empowered with responsibility, challenged to perform, and rewarded for results. Our company, a Top-10 web property which is part of The New York Times Company, believes that the dedication and innovation of our world-class employees is responsible for our explosive growth.

Just a Reminder…

…if you happen to buy any books relating to freelance writing (including reference manuals) KEEP THE RECEIPTS. You can use them for tax deduction purposes next year.

So why am I reminding you of this little nugget of wisdom? Because I went on a shopping spree and bought a ton (literally, they are heavy!) of writing related books. I’ll unveil the full list in an upcoming post.