Web writing is different from other forms of communication. The tactics that you would use when writing a magazine article or a book won't be nearly as effective in cyberspace. People who are looking for information online are more likely to skim a web page's content looking for information than to take the time to read the text in its entirety.</p> <p>You only have a few seconds to get your reader's attention when you are putting up a web page. To do so, you need to make your point quickly. Put this information at the top of the web page as a statement that sets out the points that you will be covering. Then use the subsequent paragraphs to give more details about each point you are making.</p> <p>How to Structure Your Web Page</p> <p>If you choose to adopt this strategy your web page will be structured like this:</p> <p>Start with an</p>

Freelancers and content writers seem to be playing an increasingly important role during these recessionary times, as a growing number of companies are cutting back on in-house writing staff and expensive contracts, while looking for an alternative way to produce written material. Many firms now turn to content creation companies and affiliated freelance writers, who produce written material for websites, blogs and brochures. It has been noted that one of the reasons why corporations are turning to these firms is because they employ freelance writers with significant experience in researching specific fields and publishing articles on particular industries or niche markets. Large content creation companies will have affiliated writers who will have written hundreds of articles on niche topics ranging from travel and car rentals, to real estate and business investments. </p> <p>Freelancers who master their trade and are open to work on a diverse range of topics can often experience great success in the rapidly expanding field of content creation. Ally Pace, for example, is a native English-speaker and experienced freelance writer currently living in the United Arab Emirates. Pace took a risk in leaving a full-time office job in order to write, but has been able to match her previous salary by working as a content writer from the comfort of her home. The future for online content writing looks especially hopeful even in these difficult economic times, as firms increasingly rely on content creation companies and freelancers to provide them with quality written material at competitive prices.</p> <p>Thank you to Aatif Ali Bokhari of The National for the initial report.<br />

Writing for the web is not the same as writing for other purposes. While you might be able to get away with large blocks of text or lengthy paragraphs in books, magazines, or reports, this style doesn't work well online. People who are looking for information on the Internet usually want to get it in bite-sized chunks, and the last thing you want to do is to overwrite your web content.</p> <p>Limited Ideas Per Page</p> <p>Instead of tackling too many points at once, divide up your ideas over several web pages. You can stick to one or two ideas per page if you like. Expand your web site over multiple pages, and be sure to link your pages so that your site visitors are encouraged to stay on your site longer.</p> <p>Limit Your Page Length</p> <p>Web surfers are likely to skim a page looking for information, which is why dividing up your text with subheadings, bullets, and numbered lists is a good idea. You will also want to limit the length of your pages to a length of 350-550 words. If you go longer than that, you risk having the web surfer become bored and clicking away from your site before they reach the bottom of the page.</p> <p>Simple is better when it comes to writing web content. Avoid overwriting your content; doing so will mean that your site is less sticky and will be less effective at generating revenue for you.

As you surf the Internet, it's quite common to find lists on blogs and web sites, but have you ever wondered why this type of content is used? List posts are very effective in drawing traffic to your web site or blog because the title acts as headline.</p> <p>Web surfers respond well to well-written headlines because they catch the reader's attention. The person knows what kind of information they are going to get when they click onto the web page or post. Internet users want their information served up in bite-sized portions. An article or post that includes a list satisfies this need on their part.</p> <p>When you combine the list with tips and hints to solve a problem or help the reader in some way, the person is more likely to click on the page, if only for the sake of curiosity. Other ways you can use a list is to rank just about anything newsworthy or interesting. Readers enjoy looking at lists to see whether they agree with the writer's point of view.</p> <p>Writing an Effective Headline</p> <p>The goal of writing a headline is to draw the reader in. You need to let the reader know what they will be discovering when they click through to your post using only a few words. Here are some examples:</p> <p>5 Reasons You Need [Blank]</p> <p>The Top Three Reasons [Blank]</p> <p>7 [Blank] Mistakes to Avoid Right Now</p> <p>The Top 10 [Blank] of the Year</p> <p>The idea is to entice the reader without revealing too much at this point. Save the detail for the body of your piece. Use list posts often and watch your traffic grow as a result.

As newsrooms cut staff and while major newspapers and media companies such as CanWest face daunting times, freelance writers in the United States seem to be weathering the current economic storm much better than traditional newspaper journalists. According to Medill Reports, a publication affiliated with Northwestern University, an array of writing assignments awaits freelance writers, at a time when work is difficult to come by in most sectors of the economy. When freelancers and content writers are asked what they like most about their job, many respond that it is the flexible work schedule, the ability to work from the comfort of their home and the independence that they cherish the most.</p> <p>Roger Rueff, a Chicago-based freelance writer who has more than 14 years of experience in the content writing industry, noted that being able to ?throw on a robe and go to work? right after breakfast and avoid the morning commute is what appeals to him the most. Laura Stigler, who has spent the last decade as a content writer working on an array of marketing-related projects, noted that what is most surprising about her profession is that it seems to be relatively recession-proof. This may very well have to do with the fact that companies large and small realize the importance of including newsworthy content on their sites and many turn to major content providers.</p> <p>As blogging becomes the fourth most popular activity on the internet, a growing number of corporations are also turning to the blogosphere. Content providers that employ hundreds of freelance writers from all professional and educational backgrounds, ensure that a steady stream of industry news and helpful tips make their way onto their websites, thus attracting new readers and new clients.<br />

A growing number of Fortune 500 companies have come to realize the importance of blogs in their marketing campaigns and in retaining existing customers. According to the most recent statistics, approximately 12 percent of Fortune 500 companies engage in regular blogging and the key characteristic among the vast majority of these blogs is that the focus is on informative, news content, written in a relatively formal style. When in 1999 Live Journal turned the average internet user into a blogger and freelance journalist, most blogs took on an informal and sometimes even colloquial voice. Additionally, the focus was squarely on providing editorial commentary. </p> <p>Most corporate blogs, however, are different in that companies prefer to use these forums as a way to publish industry news or provide tips related to a new line of products. A recent analysis of 30 Fortune 500 blogs showed a clear preference among companies for more journalistic blogging, with a heavy emphasis on newsworthy content. For example, Southwest Airlines and Dell Services both maintain blogs that are particularly professional in both content and the style of language used. On the other hand, blogs run by Nokia and Marriott Hotels were slightly more informal. This suggests that Fortune 500 companies determine their blog?s style and content based on the anticipated readership. While a more colloquial style and an emphasis on commentary may work well for travel related sites, formal blogs may be more appropriate for major computer firms, such as Dell or Micrsoft. In fact, fully two thirds of all corporate blogs focus on news stories, rather than on commentary. </p> <p>Thank you to SocialText for the initial report.<br />

Companies throughout the world are recognizing the importance of launching blogs as an integral part of their marketing strategies. This is even occurring in developing, non-western countries. LG Electronics, a prominent international firm, for example, has recently decided that blogging might be the way to build and maintain a loyal customer base in Malaysia, even if internet usage in this Asian nation is still lower than in more developed countries. LG became the first electronics firm to establish a blog in Malaysia and decided to turn the site?s launch into a major public event. The new LG blog will aim to do what firms with the most successful and effective internet presence strive for throughout the world, namely to offer clients an opportunity to not only learn more about the newest line of electronic products and services, but to also provide a public, online forum for feedback and regular consumer communication with the firm. </p> <p>Blogs offer the best way to market new products, while at the same time providing clients with useful tips and industry information that goes beyond simple commercial advertising. Blogs can also attract candid opinions on what consumers really think about a given service or item. Ko Tae Yeon, LG?s managing director in Malaysia, noted that bloggers serve as the ?pulse? of today?s youth consumers, who also happen to be among the most prominent clients for electronic products. A growing number of consumers throughout the world trust blogs more than other sites, because they feel that product reviews and other posts are much more likely to include candid and unbiased opinions and a rich diversity of views.</p> <p>Thank you to the Sun Daily for the initial report.<br />

One of the keys to driving traffic to your web site (and increasing revenue) is to update your content on a regular basis. Adding a news feed toyour site is a great strategy for accomplishing this goal. Not only does this feature give you a steady stream of new content, but you can target your content to your niche market.</p> <p>Why Target Your News Feed?</p> <p>If you provide your site visitors with information they find relevant, they will return to your site mutiple times. They will start to rely on your site as an authority they can trust to give them the information they need and want. </p> <p>This level of trust is a factor that needs to be in place before a Web surfer turns into a paying customer. People feel more comfortable buying from an entity that they have established a relationship with, even if it is based on how well you present yourself (or your company) through your Web site. Add a news feed to your site and watch your traffic (and revenue) increase. </p> <p>

The key to producing effective online articles or blog posts as a freelance content writer is to have a compelling introductory sentence and a clear overarching theme in each article. The vast majority of readers turn to the internet when they are looking for quick, convenient and concise information, and not a lengthy doctoral dissertation. As such, the key to effective content writing is to write a catchy first sentence which will convince the visitor to read on, rather than click to another site. </p> <p>The first couple of sentences in any online written article should serve two purposes. First, they must introduce the article?s overarching theme, message or the points to be discussed in detail. Second, these sentences must justify or sell the article to the reader. The simple and straightforward question that all content writers must ask themselves before completing an article is why anyone should care about the topic being discussed. As such, the first sentences must justify the given article?s importance and why the reader needs to know about the issues being discussed. </p> <p>For example, if a freelancer is writing an article on the merger of two major airlines, he/she must present this news in such a way that captures the interest of those who may not be especially well-versed in the minute details of the commercial aviation industry. But if the freelancer suggests that major airline mergers could lead to less competition, higher airfares, service cutbacks, thousands of job losses and cancelled routes at the very beginning of the article, readers will understand that seemingly distant events in one sector of the economy can have a direct impact on their everyday lives. Once they understand the deeply personal impact of an issue or event, web users will almost certainly read the rest of the piece.<br />

According to a report in the US News and World Report, blogs offer the best opportunity for new businesses to attract customer feedback and participation in developing and enhancing a consumer service or product. No amount of money can guarantee that clients will provide candid feedback and remain in touch with a given company, even after they have used their service or purchased a product. Yet a content-rich blog can keep customers coming back for more information and offer businesses the opportunity to introduce them to new products as they become available, without having to rely on expensive marketing campaigns. </p> <p>There are two important factors to consider when establishing a blog. First, the given company should ensure a reliable stream of written content, in order to guarantee that visitors keep coming back for relevant industry news, tips or product information. In the words of Mikal E. Belicove, a prominent social media consultant, ?content is king.? Belicove has years of experience in the growing world of corporate blogging, and he has witnessed companies which provide online content that is both fresh and relevant grow significantly, as this is the best way to build one?s readership. Major content providers maintain a large staff of freelance writers who are able to offer relevant original content, and at regular intervals, in order to build loyalty among readers and customers. The second consideration to keep in mind when building a blog is much more technical. Corporate bloggers looking for the maximum flexibility should choose to download a stand-alone platform, which would allow them to host a blog on their own server. Some of the best blog software, such as the one produced by Wordpress, is available free of charge.</p> <p>Thank you to US News & World Report for the initial story.<br />