Archive for the Writing Tips Category
3
Creating a blog post is really more than just writing good content. The following checklist can help you ensure that your post is readable, findable and shareable. Do you have a compelling headline? There’s some dos and don’ts. Does your post have good structure & provide useful information? Plenty of folks have written posts on how to write posts. Take a look around. Does your post invite feedback or ideas? Did you provide at least one in-text hyperlink? Don’t include links as text, hyperlink them using the “link” button. Did you include an image? (or other multimedia)
Some blog templates require an image, but even if it’s not required, an image helps to make your post more visually attractive.
Try istockphoto.com, sxc.hu, or flickr (creative commons licensed) for images. Or check out some of these sites for free or cheap images. Did you assign a category or categories? Categories help to organize your content. When your... Continue Reading
12
Ises and ares and to bes. Blech. Weak verbs can make your writing boring and wordy. In one of my first agency positions after I graduated from college, my manager went so far as to call them “lazy.” This same manager and her (sometimes) harsh feedback drove me to make changes in my writing style. But catching weak verbs before they come off the end of your fingers onto the screen or paper challenges even experienced writers. I developed a trick that I used until I’d retrained my writing brain. My only tool? A highlighter. Take a printed copy of the assignment (work or school) and a highligher in your choice of color. Start at the top of the page and highlight every form of the verb “to be”: am, are, is, was, were, will be, has been, have been, had been, etc. Focus primarily on is, are, were. Work... Continue Reading
5
Image by Kounelli via Flickr Creating a beautiful blog post isn’t difficult. Following a basic structure formula that gives your posts great bone structure will give you more room to drape with creative style, solid information and desirable resources. Craft a Great Headline. Include an active verb and try to squeeze some of your key topic words in as well. The search engines love the headlines and a strong headline will not only attract Google, but will also compel your visitors and regular readers to read on. Write a Compelling Lede. Provided your readers hang around to see what the headline is all about, a compelling lede will keep them reading. Establish what the post will cover, of course, but also flex your best writing muscle and write something people want to read. Start with Bullet Points. Use bullets to outline your ideas in an outline form. If you’re writing... Continue Reading
2
I read a lot. Not much for pleasure, it seems, but between research articles, books for class, assignments and Web content, I read a lot. And I’m often frustrated with dense paragraphs, hard-to-decipher thesaurus-speak and unclear emphases. I have some instincts and some knowledge by osmosis of basic design principles that apply to making your copy reader friendly. That’s the part of the equation that we’re going to chat about today. The other part is that your writing should be concise and meticulously on point. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph has purpose. I read assignments like I’m a member of the audience it’s intended for. The assignments I’m reading this fall are mostly meant for clients (reports, plans, etc.). Once you’ve edited and reedited, these tips can help your message get through, regardless of who you’re trying to reach. Befriend white space – the space without words on the... Continue Reading
1
I’ve been talking a lot this year about writing with a human voice. Drop the lingo, leave the jargon and edit out the “corp speak.” Whether you’re writing a letter to employees about a company shake-up, writing compelling public relations materials such as releases, backgrounders or fact sheets, or penning a speech, it’s becoming more vital to communicate in a human voice. This terrific example from Nedra at Spare Change is from Zichron Menachem – The Israeli Association for the Support and Assistance of Children with Cancer and their Families. The letter has been translated from the original Hebrew. An excerpt… I want to thank you for your partnership with Zichron Menachem — for helping make a very difficult time, a bit easier. And I want you to know that how successful your effort is, every time I see a bashful smile from those mirrors, trying to love what they... Continue Reading
1
Writing “on the fly” is often required of public relations PRos. You may need to write a pitch or even a release at a moment’s notice. Need some practice thinking on your toes? Try these sites. www.oneword.com (you’ll need to complete a free registration for these two)www.onecaption.comwww.poetc.com... Permalink
1
Comments