Writing website copy – home pages
Here’s the first of several blogs on ‘Writing for the web’ – my most popular training course, which I have delivered across the UK, to a range of organisations, over 50 times.
READ my other blog posts on web writing secrets and my suggested 10 tips for writing good web content.
But on this blog post I give you 3 bits of advice on writing website HOME PAGES:
1) Got a strap line for your website?
WALK into an office and you might see proudly displayed – somewhere like the reception – the company’s vision statement, ethos, or strap line.
You know the sort of thing. Principles: ‘Our Customer Comes First’ – Values: ‘Pioneering and Confident’ – Marketing slogans: ‘Probably the best beer in the world’. Etc.
I say ‘Might see displayed.’
Book writing advice – ‘Follow the 3 T’s’
Soon after I moved to Oxford in 2010, I set myself some ambitions. I did not know anyone yet, so had time on my hands… the house I bought needed things done to it… and I felt life would slip away if I did not press on and achieve some of my other lifetime goals.
Here’s what I wanted to do:
- Create a lovely garden – somewhere I could work, relax and entertain
- Read more novels – to keep up with trends and not miss out on a key pleasure
- Learn to swim crawl – up and down without stopping.
Within 4 years I had achieved all of them.
And here’s how… one ‘T’ for each ambition… key success factors for getting your book written (and other goals).
Self-publishing advice – Take out the ‘Self’
Do you want your book to be a success – to be well-received, to sell and/or to earn some money? “Self-publishing” means you or your company are cited as the publisher, but do some of us take the “self” message one step too far? Are you trying to do as much of the process yourself, or will you call upon others for help – paid or unpaid, and whom?
There are three components that determine how well a self-published book does, says Helen Bryant, Director of the literary consultancy, Cornerstones, drawing on a survey she conducted recently of their 7,000 author contacts.
SelfPublishing Magazine / Spring 2014
Why blog – Why bother blogging?
You might well ask.
Well, here are 3 reasons to consider – for those in doubt.
- Hobby bloggers get a lot of satisfaction.
- Political bloggers can have huge influence.
- And professionals and entrepreneurs cite 3 benefits: recognition, new clients and increased income.
How to write easily – 8 tips
8 Insider’s Tips
1.) STOP! – Think!
Who is your audience?
What is your objective?
(People often start writing too early, before they have fully planned their content)
What is the format… for example, on the web write for scannability.
Keep your writing going – How?
Have you got stuck, half-way through your book or writing job? Or is it hard to find time to write? Here is my advice on ‘Ways to make sure you finish your book’ – divided into Finding time to write (1–2), Writing tips (3–6) and Motivational help (7–10).
1. Go on a writing retreat/week-end. We all get stuck at times, but getting away for a few days is a great way to re-focus on the job, stir your creative juices and re-energise. Can you resist the idea of a week-end retreat this winter, and writing beside a log fire?
2. Block time in your diary. If your life has become busier, or circumstances changed, your book can easily get squeezed-out. However, making an ‘appointment’ with yourself in your diary is a simple way to ensure you sit down and write – and a reminder to say ‘No’ to invitations from family and friends.
Faster writing – How structure and planning help
Structuring your writing, in advance, can save you so much time. Several hours’ work, several drafts, and several sleepless nights.
It’s not just me saying this.
Writing tips for new authors
Using a social media group, and a thread I started in October 2013 which got over 200 replies (Yes, over 200 replies – which shows the value of Social Media!) … here is their advice …
Writing tips and techniques – Authors’ advice
Starting out
- Appreciate beforehand that writing isn’t easy. Be ready to make mistakes – you will probably have to come back and edit it later
- Write without editing along the way – and don’t worry about completing sections before you move on.
Writing
- Write in short sentences and paragraphs
- Back up your ideas with research, examples, statistics, quotations etc., but don’t overwhelm your readers
- Take regular breaks, and get out of your chair to stretch or get some air – to prevent aches and pains, and to maintain energy levels
- Each time you start writing, refer back to your overall plan and what you wrote the previous time, to ensure continuity of style
- Leave your copy for several hours or days (ideally) before you move onto revising and editing.
Writing longer documents – 5 tips
Don’t be afraid of writing longer documents like books… in many ways they are just a series of short, well-written documents.
Read my 15 tips, summarised under these headings:
- You CAN do it
- Be sure to plan and structure your work
- Make the writing process easy – and enjoyable!
- Ensure as much of your writing as possible is GOOD
- Running out of stamina? Let’s finish the job.