A Dozen Online Writing Tips

By: Jared Clark

Re-writing exercise based on the article of the same name by Jonathan Dube.

 

1. Know Your Audience

Remember that most Online users have a larger interest in online stories than television or print. These readers are often skimming over information, so it is important to write to their needs.

2. Think First -- And Think Different

Find the best way to convey information, possibly using audio, video or an interactive producer. Look for stories that can be told better online then in other mediums.

3. Tailor Your News Gathering

Tailor interviewing in online stories to your needs. Look for ways in which the elements of a story can complement and support each other.

4. Write Lively And Tight

Write lively sentences using strong verbs and sharp nouns. Readers notice sloppy writing and they don't forgive, they have other options.

5. Explain

It's good to get news on the web as fast as possible, but it is better to explain why the news is important. The sites that do this have a far better chance of succeeding.

6. Don't Bury The Lead

Let readers know what the story is about in the beginning. Write using a T structre, summing up the story in the beginning, without giving away the ending.

7. Don't Pile On

Simply adding the latest information to a story will not enhance it. Most people don't check on stories more than once a day, so it only hurts the story to pile on the latest developments.

8. Short But Sweet

Almost any story can be told in 800 words. Users are more likely to continue reading your story if you make them scroll, not click.

9. Break It Up

Writing should be snappy and fast. Large blocks of text are hard to read on a screen. Using bullets and subheads can make stories easier to read.

10. Eliminate The Guesswork

When people click on a link, they want to know where it is going to take them. Avoid ambiguous links like this is the greatest website ever. Be straight forward: Jared Clark's Website.

11. Do Not Fear The Link

Links will not drive your users away. Links are a great way to provide contextual information to a story, which means you don't have to provide as much background information.

12. Take Risks . . . But Remember the Basics.

It's OK to take risks or try something different. However, it's not OK to sacrifice basic journalism and good writing when doing so.