Easy Editing: November 2014

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Tips for Writing Persuasive Web Copy

When writing your web copy, remember that is it is totally different from print copy. Web copy is scanned. Or glanced at. Not read. Web visitors are hunting for information or products and want to make quick decisions. Here are ways to write persuasive copy for them:

Put your most important information first

Your customers want to know the big picture first.

Basically: What do you do? Or what can you do for them?

Don’t try to be overly clever or creative

A reader won’t hang on to every word you write. They don’t have time.

Simple statements that get to the point work best.

Write for scanners

How many people read web pages? Hardly anybody! Most people scan. So, use this checklist:

· Does your headline communicate what you’re about?

· Does your image caption communicate a sales message?

· Do your sub headlines summarise your key points?

· Use bullet points – they reduce wordiness?

Use familiar copy

Your reader is looking for familiar words with a scent trail that tells them they in the right place – that is all! They don’t want to make an effort to read your text, so make your copy easy to read using:

· Short paragraphs

· Short sentences

· No unnecessary words

· No jargon

· No needless repetition

Expect people to arrive anywhere on your website

Most web visitors will not start reading at your home page. They may arrive on any page. So each page should:

· Be easy to scan

· Clarify to people where they are & and what your site is about

· Have a call to action telling people where to go next.

Make a visual impression

Web copy and web design should work together. The visual appeal of your website influences whether web visitors can quickly understand what you’re about.

Does your website offer what they’re looking for? And can they find it easily?

I’d love to tell you that writing persuasive web copy is easy, but the truth is that writing simple, useful copy is hard. Don’t be wordy and show off your extensive vocabulary. Know who you are and what you do. If your positioning is clear, it’s much easier to stand out on the web and to be found.

Be clear. Be specific. Be bold.

Editing & Copywriting Services Offered

Editing tends to pick up on the nitty-gritty details of a document. As an Editor, I will check for proper spelling, grammar, punctuation. Even with things like automatic computerised spell-checking, spelling errors are still prevalent – no computerised system is fail-proof. When you're typing, your word processing program may see your misspelling and correct it without you having to manually catch the error and fix it. However, most programs can only assume what you were intending to spell, and may end up creating the wrong word from your spelling. As an Editor, I will go over your information carefully, and make sure everything is indeed spot on.

While a lot of word processing programs can look for spelling mistakes, most can't effectively track down poor grammar. Even if your document is well thought out and backed up with a wealth of logical information, if it is chock full of bad grammar, it will end up making you look as if you did not put enough time or effort into your project, and may even go so far as to lower the opinion of your overall intelligence or interest. An Editor’s function not only ends at good grammar skills, we will also show that you are capable of effectively communicating your ideas.

As an editor & copywriter I will also follow proper formatting regulations as well as work on your content. I will recommend preferred page lengths, word count, & margins. It is my job to ensure that your document adheres to all the required guidelines; remember, ignoring them can be damaging. All in all, editing is essential for eliminating all those silly mistakes that can severely compromise your reputation. With editing, I not only prove that you can effectively express your ideas, but also that you are capable, well researched & the accomplished.

-Easy Editing