Help to Write Like a Website Rockstar
Posted under: Question:
When you write a headline on the Web, what are the two most important words?
Answer:
The first two are the most important.
Why?
Usability studies show that when writing headlines, taking a passive approach is more effective because users read in an F-shaped pattern like this:
Gasp! Writing With a Passive Voice?
Body text should always take an active voice, but when writing headlines, taking a passive approach is much more effective, studies by the Nielsen Norman usability group show.
Writing for Different Mediums
Writing headlines with a passive voice is just one of the nuances when writing for different mediums. Search, e-mail, mobile, and social media have their own flare. Become a student of communicating with different tools. A creative writer writes differently than a copywriter. Common demoninators exist like mechanics and usage, but knowing the nuances can set apart the wheat from the chaff.
Resources for Web Writers
It not always easy to find a comprehensive list of links to other articles, but I wanted to pass along. While not a complete list, it does give you a good reminder that help is out there for you.
- How Users Read On The Web
- How to Write for the Web
- From Print to Web: Tips for the Transitioning Writer
- Writing Style for Print vs. Web
- 10 Tips on Writing the Living Web: A List Apart
- 5 Rules for Better Web Writing
- Reading on the Web (Alertbox)
- How Web Is Different from Print
- Traditional Writing Skills Don’t Work on Web
- Blog Users Don’t Read, They Scan… Write Accordingly
- 5 Simple Ways to Open Your Blog Post With a Bang
- “Inverted Pyramid”: How to Write for Social News & Blogs
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