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Writing online does differ from writing for a traditional print publisher. The main difference is that online writing must meet the specific requirements of the Internet. People use the Internet to find instant information. They go online to seek advice, amusement or up-to-date news. Readers who have time to enjoy a good piece of writing usually choose to read a printed publication.

Traditional print publishers pay for writing that is enlightening or entertaining, and it must be written to a high standard. Writing online is intended for readers who have little time to read pages of dense prose or lengthy passages. Website content should always be written in plain English so it is easily understood by people around the world.

~ The purpose of writing online is for articles, and other text on website pages, to be found by people using search engines. The writer has to find and use the best keywords for search engine optimization. Each blog post and every article is indexed by search engines according to how many times identical phrases are used to those entered into search boxes.

~ Writing online has to be effective in gaining attention and maintaining the interest of readers. Articles and stories in traditional writing style, with long passages of narrative, detailed explanation or flowery language, will not be easy to find or to read online. Most Internet users just want to find out about a particular point, and have little time for reading long detailed explanations.

~ Online text should be set out to be easily viewed on a computer screen. Paragraphs should never be more than a few sentences long. Each paragraph should stick to one point and be separated with double line spacing. Points should be presented so each one can be identified quickly and easily, using subheadings or bullets.

~ Writing online requires an upbeat style. An online article should have a positive and compelling start. No "how-to" article should open with discouraging and negative ideas. People want to know how to succeed, not to be told how hard something is to do. Using active and powerful words will encourage readers to stay on the page longer and to read more.

The Internet and print publications are two entirely separate media, each with its own requirements. It is important for anyone writing for the Internet to understand how writing online differs from traditional writing. Published writers who are used to getting paid by traditional print publishers will need to develop new writing skills in order to find more opportunities for paid writing, and the potential to gain far more readers online than they could ever achieve in print.

Learn more about this author, Ruth Belena.
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