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Writing Tips for Online Journalists *

Writing for the Internet is different. People are on the go, so they quickly check the news through a trusted on-line source. So here are tips from Jonathan Dube.

First tip: Know the audience you are writing for. Think about the audience you want to target, both nationally and internationally. They are proactive, so think about what would catch their attention on-line rather then print.

Second tip: Think different. Compare on-line readers to hunters. Hunters that look for the out-of-the-ordinary kill. Stories that lend to graphics and additional visual aids which keep the reader focused on your story.

Third Tip: When interviewing, look for images, audio or video that will compliment the words of your story. On-line readers are proactive, so make sure they have something to be proactive with!!

Fourth tip: Write tight, but detailed. Write active not passive. The same writing rules apply to on-line as print and broadcast, so never forget the basics.

Fifth tip: Explain the news. Do not write like the Associated Press. That information is available in other places. Readers are looking for explanations and depth, so add it.

Sixth Tip: Do not bury the lead. Because readers search for information, the first line is the most important piece. It grabs the readers attention, so do not let that space go to waste.

Seventh Tip: Do not pile new news under the old. Keep breaking news fresh with the actual news on top of the rest. If you can, create a new article with links to the old, or sidebars.

Eighth Tip: Keep it short but sweet. Try to keep the story on one screen so that readers do not have to click to another screen. They loose the beginning of the piece and there might be information or links they would like to browse.

Ninth Tip: Break up the paragraphs. Longer sentences mean more to read. Readers want it short and to the point so read the sentences before you publish. Put in graphics to tell the reader what they need to know. It keeps the reader interested and takes out the sentences.

Tenth Tip: Eliminate the Guesswork. If you link, let the link explain where it will take the reader. Be straightforward in the headline and let the reader choose. Don't be cute, be up front with the story.

Eleventh Tip: Link! Readers like to link, to further their news gathering. The more they feel you link to reputable sites for that beat, the more they will return.

Last but NOT least: Remember the basics of journalism. Take risks, and be different. The borderlines are not set, so expand them and set new boundaries.

Dube says, "There are no rules, just ideas." So take these tips and spread the ideas.

*All tips gotten from "A Dozen Online Writing Tips" by Jonathan Dube

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