Even if you’ve been writing professionally for years, you’ll need to practice new writing habits to connect your ideal clients. Academic and business writing kill good, natural writing, so most of us need to strip away our old writing habits to keep our readers engaged. On the web, people will click away as soon as they become disinterested or confused.
Here are the top five web writing tips for engaging visitors on your website and in your information products.
Be conversational.
- Know your ideal client’s characteristics, likes, fears, and needs.
- Create an image of your ideal client.
- Write like you’re talking with your friend.
- Read your drafts aloud. You’ll hear what sounds right and what sounds awkward or stiff.
Be specific
- Keep your topic small enough to cover it entirely.
- Be specific in your descriptions and give concrete examples.
Don’t make assumptions.
- Avoid jargon—your audience may not understand.
- Explain what you’re saying and how you got there, so your readers follow your train of thought.
- Have someone else read what you write to be sure you’re clear.
Use lists and sub-headings.
- Lists and sub heads are easy to skim and read main points fast.
- They’re easy on the eyes.
Be personal.
- People like to feel they know, like, and trust you.
- Share your related stories of struggle and triumph.
- Admit your mistakes and humanness.
- Share what you learned.
Questions for Reflection and Comment.
- Which of these writing tips do you use regularly?
- Which do you need to start using?
- What’s easy for you to write?
- What’s hard for you to write?
- How can you improve? What help do you need?
As always, please share with your followers and friends who would like these tips.
And let me know what you’re thinking, and what questions you have. I want to help.
I absolutely admire all of the steps, however the one that resonates the most with me is the "Be Personal" step... I know that when I get moved by someone, it is because of their life esperiences, challenges, and stepping stones to success!!
Anthony, this is so true. We resonate with each others' experiences, emotions, and challenges. This is how we connect as humans.
I do admit that this tip is the hardest one for me as I blog. I share and relate all the time in my coaching, but when I write about writing, it's hard to connect on a personal level. Now that I'm actually conversing with people who are reading my posts, it's becoming easier to feel like I'm really talking to someone when I write. I enjoy the interaction and helping people directly more than just providing information.
Thank you for sharing here today.
Regards,
Holly
I have two ways I write; one is informational-tips and ideas for living a better retirement, and one is my own experience or observation. It works well for me, I hope if works for my readers.
Hi Holly, I agree that one's writing style must change to adapt to the ever evolving landscape of business as well as social signals as well. Thanks for your Insight!
~Coach Mark Edward Brown
Hi Cathy. I like your approach, and I think readers want to know about your experiences, too. I'm about to talk about my experience starting a business. I think writing about writing can get rather dry.
Thanks for your comment, Mark. Yes, web content needs to fit the readers as well as the business. With the increasing input, I'll adjust to find the happy intersection between the two.
Hi Holly! I'm stopping by from our LinkedIn Group.
I have found the best way to engage Readers is to be authentic and use your humour, write from your own experience, and to speak like you would talk normally.
People seem to relate and respond to this formula well.
Angela 🙂
Hi Angela, Thanks for stopping by!
You're right, of course. See my latest post, 'How Do YOU Open Your Writing Channel. I was more personal in that one. Let me know what you think.
I agree with the "be personal". Thanks for sharing Holly. I love all your tips. A friend, who is a writer suggested that I should write, and then put it away, and check it over another day. Thanks for the spell check. Whoohoo! No errors.lol You are providing a great service with this blog.
Hi Evelyn,
I'm so glad you love my tips! Thanks for commenting.