The Secret To Writing Successfully For the Social Web

The Secret To Writing Successfully For the Social Web

Posted by admin on Friday, January 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Social media is a lot about writing.  Your Fan Page, your website, your profiles, your blog. All require high-quality, coherent writing suitable for the New Net. 

  Here are some important tips to bear in mind when you are writing for the Social Web. 

• Headlines are King; it is the first thing people see so grab their attention with a captivating headline
  
• People don't read, they scan
  
  • First the headline
    
  • Then the subheads
    
    • Pull reader through copy with subhead
      
    • Combination of headlines and subheads tell the whole story
      
    • Use plenty of white space
      
    • Black text on white or off-white background is easiest to read
      
• Emphasize the most important concepts first:
  
  • Headline
    
  • Opening paragraph with conclusions first
    
  • Less important ideas follow
    
• Break up web copy into readable, bite-size chunks
  
• Keep paragraphs short
  
• Present one idea per paragraph
  
• Use clear, uncomplicated language
  
  • Short words
    
  • Simple sentences
    
• Use bullets to summarize content
  
• Highlight key ideas with bold, italic or underlining
  
• Use boxes to set off testimonials, stories or case histories
  
• Avoid corporate speak
  
• Stand out in the crowd with a unique writing voice