Writing for an online audience isn’t the same as writing for print publications. Yes, good grammar and spelling help make sure that your content actually makes sense! However, it's totally okay to break most of the other traditional rules of writing when you're creating online content.
Why? Well, in part, it's because readers tend to consume online content differently than we do traditional newspaper or magazine articles. They don’t want big paragraphs, they want short sections that are easy to scan, get the info they want, and move on.
Want to make sure that you're creating online worthy content? Here are a few pointers to help make sure your content is super readable to stop your visitors from clicking away:
Short Paragraphs
The first way you can make your content more readable is by breaking down your content into shorter paragraphs. This way, won’t overwhelm visitors with giant blocks of text. When you keep your paragraphs short, your reader will be able to better pay attention to what you have written, and will easily be able to skip from section to section.
Subheadings and Bullets
Following on from the point above, subheading and bullet points also go one step further to make your content easy to read on a screen. Subheadings give your reader a general idea of what the upcoming content is about, which can help keep people’s interest for longer. Bullet points are short and to the point, providing key information in a straightforward manner.
Images
Times have changed and people expect text to be broken up with images these days. Not only do they help make your website look nicer, and make articles easier to scan. Images also add to your brand. The good news is that you don’t need to take all of the photographs yourself! Although personal photographs are a great touch for most blogs, you can also find quality images on various stock photo websites.
Tone
If you are writing informal content, then keep your tone light, casual, and funny. Write in first and second person to keep your audience entertained and feeling as though you’re writing for them personally. Of course, there are some situations where this rule does not apply (for example, if you’re writing for a professional or technical website). However, in most cases, developing an informal tone that shows off your personality is a great way to connect with your readers and help make your content more readable.
BONUS: Following a Formula
Remember, it takes time to learn how to write online – especially if you’re used to the strict rules of offline writing! But with the right formula in place, you can be efficient, effective, and profitable with your writing.
What sort of formula am I talking about? Well, to make it simple, I've put together a handy-dandy FREE checklist to help you out. Grab your copy here.