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35 Comments
- Konstantino, on 07/21/2008, -0/+7Backup:
1. Lists Work Like A Charm
No matter what the niche is, people seem to love lists. It really works. I admit, I love writing list posts and have written some popular ones and it’s equally true that I didn’t invent this style. Some great web writers like Leo Babauta are known for their awesome list posts.
The primary reason behind the success of list posts is that most people like to scan, and if it’s interesting enough, read it in full and maybe leave a comment. So, a list post that is carefully crafted with bold headings does a good job as far as grabbing the attention goes.
2. The Title Really Matters
The title plays a very important role. You’re probably reading this post right now because the title appealed to you. This is the first thing people see. More and more people are using feed readers so the title of your article(s) matters a lot! Still, everyday I come across posts with excellent content but poorly crafted titles. It takes time to come up with an interesting headline, but it’s worth it.
3. Be Conversational - The Fun Is In The Comment Section
One of the main differences between writing for print and writing on the web is that the web has so much more to offer when it comes to discussions and conversations. It’s a 2-way street, compared to print where it’s a 1-way thing. Discussions and direct feedback from readers is what matters the most. It’s a lot easier to comment on a blog post and voice your opinion than to send a letter or email to the guy who wrote that article in the newspaper.
Chris Brogan wrote a post on Problogger about the reasons he deliberately make his blog posts imperfect - to get the conversation rolling. So make sure you leave something for the readers to say when you write articles for the web.
4. Be Concise And To The Point
It’s good to churn out sophisticated words and phrases when you’re writing a book. But when you’re writing for the web, it’s better to follow the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method. Say more in less words. Your readers will appreciate it.
5. Read The Best Stuff
This is a no-brainer. The more you read, the more you know and a better writer you become. If you write content for the web then reading great blogs and articles should be on your everyday to-do list. And when I say read I really mean ‘read’, don’t just scan.
If you are looking for some great blogs to read then I suggest you head over to this post I wrote some time ago.
6. Use The Best Tools
You should be acquainted with the various tools which can help you to write better content. For example Maki from DoshDosh uses Darkroom as a writing tool. I’m a big fan of the Wikilook Firefox extension, it helps me quickly look up meanings of words and phrases.
There are various tools that can help you in your writing and you should experiment with a couple and simply keep the ones you find useful.
7. Just Say It
I’ve talked about this before and I’ll quote it again. Here’s what Seth Godin has to say on writing for the web.
“Don’t let the words get in the way. If you’re writing online, forget everything you were tortured by in high school English class. You’re not trying to win any awards or get an A. You’re just trying to be real, to make a point, to write something worth reading.”
Just let the words flow from your heart. Just say it ! - jophillips, on 07/21/2008, -0/+6http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/unmissable
- WallnutBoy, on 07/21/2008, -1/+7Don't forget to put DIGG THIS -> in the headline.
- fishbeef33, on 07/21/2008, -0/+6Tip #8: make sure your website's bandwidth can handle being posted on Digg after you write your "great content," otherwise nobody will see it.
- papertree, on 09/26/2008, -0/+6I don't go a day without a least taking a peak at this site!
- onlinetreason, on 07/21/2008, -0/+5Nicely done. It was an easy read and didn't take up much of my time. Good job!
- redcolumbine, on 07/21/2008, -0/+5Also - Write about something you actually know about, and that isn't common knowledge. Don't use chatspeak. Use cuss words sparingly unless you want to limit your audience to kids, drunks, and losers. And if it's just a pointer page for your MLM or affiliate-marketing scam, just give up and go look for a real job!
- Carbonlord, on 07/21/2008, -2/+7Good post, this also applies to letters, etc.. not only web writing.
- zehrila, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4Wow 536 diggs as of now and story is still not on front page? Very nice read btw.
- jophillips, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4it's not our fault, there's a prob with MediaTemple right now, should be fixed soon - they're 'working on it'...
- ansatsu29, on 07/21/2008, -0/+4Simple and true.
- Konstantino, on 07/21/2008, -1/+4I have a feeling it's getting dugg up so quickly because the site was linked to in an article already on Digg's home page and this particular article has a digg badge.
By the way, maybe you should stop with the MrBabyMan comments, they're annoying. - Konstantino, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unmissab ... Webster good enough? Also it's in the Apple dictionary which uses Oxford.
- liamuk7, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Great read for sure!
- fishbeef33, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Ok, but I think my tip still holds for many other sites that end up on Digg. I stand by my post!
- Bonekhan, on 07/21/2008, -0/+3Additionally, any numbers and adjectives in the title with propel to the front page. Lists are what make digg work so well.
This is me trying to be witty. - sgtbutterscotch, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2actually, i got it off the dictionary that came on a cd that came with the actual dictionary, so your account really isn't accurate.
god, you think you know everything.
oh wait, maybe you're just trying to be funny and i just can't tell... - Konstantino, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2Not even on the top lists anymore...
- inactive, on 07/21/2008, -1/+3"...Like inventing the word "UNMISSABLE" ?"
beerock - dumbass
Look, I created a new word :] - sgtbutterscotch, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2It's in my Merriam-Webster dictionary...
And even if you were right, do you really have to be such a douche about it? - jophillips, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1I'm with you!
- liamuk7, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2lol, love how you managed to turn an insult into a "tip"
- webkami, on 07/21/2008, -4/+5Will it get me to Front page?
*maybe I should become friends with MrBabyMan* - jophillips, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1anyone knows what happened? 549 Diggs and no frontpage and not in upcoming...
- inactive, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1No, I will only recognize dictionary.com
'A' for effort though. - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1"Sorry, jophillips and backdude, but I have fried your chicken.
Taste my pain, bitches."
FAIL:
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/unmissable?vi ...
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unmissab ...
http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/UNMISSABLE
Merriam-Webster and Oxford's Dictionary are much more official than dictionary.com :], I think everyone knows that. You're a dumb-ass even if you thought you were right. - ritubpant, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1probably buried.....
- jophillips, on 07/22/2008, -1/+1you guys really got nothing better to do? :)
- inactive, on 07/21/2008, -2/+1LOL -- way to use wikipedia, dumbasses: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unmissable
looks like 'unmissable' requires citation to be part of the English language.
Sorry, jophillips and backdude, but I have fried your chicken.
Taste my pain, bitches. - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -2/+1LOL -- way to use wikipedia, dumbasses: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unmissable
looks like 'unmissable' requires citation to be part of the English language.
Sorry, jophillips and backdude, but I have fried your chicken.
Taste my pain, bitches. - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -2/+1LOL -- way to use wikipedia, dumbasses: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unmissable
looks like 'unmissable' requires citation to be part of the English language.
Sorry, jophillips and backdude, but I have fried your chicken.
Taste my pain, bitches. - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -2/+1Abso-douche-a-lutely, you ass-hat.
You were douchin' it up, too, getting out your douche-tionary to check it out...
c'mon...you're a douchebag too, aren't you?
'It's in my Merriam-Webster dictionary...' --> adjust glasses and pocket protector. glaven! - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -4/+1LOL -- way to use wikipedia, dumbasses: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unmissable
looks like 'unmissable' requires citation to be part of the English language.
Sorry, jophillips and backdude, but I have fried your chicken.
Taste my pain, bitches. - RealmDown, on 07/21/2008, -5/+2unmissable ?
- inactive, on 07/21/2008, -7/+1“Don’t let the words get in the way. If you’re writing online, forget everything you were tortured by in high school English class. You’re not trying to win any awards or get an A. You’re just trying to be real, to make a point, to write something worth reading.” - Seth Godin
...Like inventing the word "UNMISSABLE" ?
Jackass. Your high school English thinks so, too.
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