Authors Tools Blog

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Do you know that writing for the web requires a different writing style? People read from the computer differently than they do physical pages.

I recently visited a friend’s website. She has great information to share. However, her site has a big problem that will cause her readers to click away without reading her information.

Her great information is presented in blocks of dense text. To the reader, it looks like too much work to dig out the information. She would do better by making a few simple changes.

People read webpages differently than they read printed pages. They don’t really read, they scan. You need to use different techniques to write for the web.

People want to see an inviting page, not a dense block of test. Use plenty of “white space” to make your page inviting.

Write like you are talking with a friend. Don’t use fancy words when simple words will do.

Don’t write very formally, write as if you are speaking to a friend.

Don’t use the abbreviations that you use in text messages. There is no limit on the number of words, unless you are posting to Twitter.

Use pictures or videos or other things that attract the reader’s eye.

Think short and concise. Use short sentences and short paragraphs.

Put a blank line between the paragraphs to break up the text with white space.

Keep these simple tips in mind to make reading your pages easier for your readers. Remember, it’s all about the readers.

• Use short sentences.
• Write short paragraphs
• Put a blank line between paragraphs
• Write like you talk (conversationally)
• Don’t use TEXT speak
• Use pictures or other “eye candy”

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Write on,

Lynn Jordan