Chapter 6: How to Report News for the Web

Of all the skills to learn in the digital age, reporting for the web is the easiest. Why? There's nothing new to learn, no new concepts and no software to master. Reporting for the web only requires a new way of thinking and working.

So, how do you write for the web? Before we continue, you must understand that web sites need breaking news. Period. That said, these are traits of web-written works:

• Timely and relevant. If you plan to write about an event that's all ready been covered by many sources several days or even hours ago, don't bother. Online news is timely. Make sure you write with the readers in mind when considering how to determine relevancy. Think to yourself, why is this important for me to know? How will this affect me?
• Write lively and tight. Use simple and direct language. Write short and concise sentences. Be as efficient as possible. Follow some tips from CyberJournalist.net Publisher and Poynter Online Columnist Jonathan Dube. Your goal is to deliver full reports in a timely manner with flair.

Remember: You are still responsible for fact-checking!

• Use time stamps. If you update a story later in the day with new information, adding a time stamp will keep reports clear and organized for you and your readers.
• Headlines sell the story. Blog post or print newspaper feature article, your story still needs a headline. So what makes for a good Web headline? The News Tribune Copy Editor Rick Arthur said it ought to tell the news and make the reader want to read the story. It also must be enticing to the reader, "engage him emotionally, in one way or another." Use conversational language and take risks.
• Contextual hyperlinking. Great online articles include plenty of links to relevant supporting content. See?
• Don't forget art, context, interactivity and multimedia. Don't leave your story hanging all by itself. Don't forget to add flair, like a locator map, links to past stories, a photo gallery, audio or video, to name a few.