Writing for the web can be challenging, even for the most seasoned of writers. After trying to grasp search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and effective keyword research, writers find they still face a number of challenges before effectively transitioning into writing for the web.
Aside from my contributions to Factoidz as an editor and writer, I also write for an online magazine and news source. I have taken a number of training courses and am currently enrolled in a travel writing program as well. Through these resources, I have received invaluable support and guidance in becoming a more effective writer and editor.
I recently started taking notes on the suggestions and pet peeves other site editors have expressed in forums, trends I notice while editing articles here on Factoidz, and concerns/advice expressed by fellow writers in the web community. Based on my notes, here are 10 of the most commonly seen mistakes and areas of opportunities in writing for the web:
1. Organize Your Article and Develop a Voice
Once you have done your keyword research and figured out your core 5-10 keyword phrases, organize how you want to write your article. If you are writing about a cultural holiday for example, it would be valuable for readers to understand the following: the history of the holiday, when the holiday is celebrated, where it is celebrated, traditions/rituals, foods eaten, etc. Make sure your intended article flows and makes sense. One of the worst mistakes writers can make is to just start writing, as the article can end up all over the place.
After organizing article topics, develop a voice. Many sites do not allow for publication in first ("I") or second ("you") person, which can be a difficult transition, but it lends professionalism to what you write. If you do write in the first person, do it sparingly. Although you may be passionate about a topic, do not overdo the "I think" as it’s obvious you "think" this since you are writing it!
2. Use Short and Easy to Read Paragraphs
Do not ramble. Paragraphs should be short and breaks frequent. A good rule of thumb is to keep paragraphs around 50-75 words. When trying to engage readers on the web - large paragraphs are daunting. You only have a few seconds to engage the reader and keep them reading. You may lose readers if the introductory paragraph is a page long. I have seen a number of submissions recently where no paragraphs are used at all. If I do not want to read 1,000 words run together as an editor, you can bet readers will not want to either.
3. Plagiarism and Duplicated Content
Plagiarizing others’ work is a big no-no, and it goes without saying - do it and you could be banned from the site. Pretty much every site has strict guidelines against plagiarizing. Plagiarism takes many forms, sometimes unintentional. If you write something word for word that appears elsewhere, that is considered plagiarism. Just because an article appears online somewhere does not mean you have the right to copy and paste it in an article editor and submit it as your own.
Duplicated content is another area of concern, especially here on Factoidz. Many sites, including Factoidz, has a policy on not publishing duplicated content. The editors are checking for duplicated content and articles will be sent back if they appear elsewhere online. I’ve personally noticed a marked increase in duplicated articles, especially the submission of the exact same articles to multiple writing sites at the same time, assuming they won’t have shown up on Google yet so the articles won’t be flagged.
This duplicated content is bad for everyone as it can devalue a site. When Google and other search engines "crawl" for content and find the exact content elsewhere, it can ruin the site’s overall ranking. Plus, when people are searching for information, you can lose credibility as an author if you plaster the same article on multiple other writing sites.
4. Use of Photographs and Copyright Infringements
The use of photos in your articles is a huge plus, and strongly encouraged - as long as they belong to you! I cannot stress the importance of not copying, linking, or saving photos that appear online, without ensuring you have written permission. This is an issue we are really trying to enforce now as many articles are being submitted with great photos that were just copied from somewhere and not properly credited. This is really a big deal - Toyota just recently got in trouble for using multiple photos off Flickr for a website ad, without seeking permission from the photographers involved. Toyota has since removed the photos, and there was discussion regarding possible financial compensation for those photographers whose work was stolen.
5. Use 2-3 Keyword Rich Subheadings
Not only are subheadings a source of keyword phrase opportunities, they help organize and keep readers engaged. Always get in a habit of including 2-3 keyword rich subheadings in your article as you will find it becomes easier to organize your article body, and keep it flowing more cohesively.
6. Properly Cite Sources and Do Not Use Wikipedia
This is closely linked to plagiarism (no. 3) as the failure to cite source can leave you exposed for plagiarism. If you copy a line of text or statement from anywhere, cite it! Preferred method of citation is typically MLA if you are including a source at the end of your article. Rewording and using information found in other articles, books, encyclopedias, etc. also needs citing. If you are citing a source within your article body, use an embedded hyperlink.
When looking for reputable sources for information, many sites discourage or forbid the use of Wikipedia. While it’s easy to find tons of information there, it is not always the most accurate. The site is user driven and there is less reliable fact checking done so many editors do not consider this a reputable, trusted source. One tip: try to get into the habit of using the original sources for information found in Wikipedia.
7. Formatting Recipes
The holidays are here and many people are submitting some great recipes, but remember to format them using the bullet tools. When writing an article and including a recipe, ingredients should be formatted with the bullet points and the directions formatted with the numbered bullets.
8. Introductory and Concluding Paragraphs
Many people tend to forget about these crucial elements in article writing. Introduce your subject matter with a short paragraph explaining the main topic of your article. And try not to abruptly end your article without offering some concluding statement or information, otherwise readers might be left feeling dissatisfied.
The format of an article should pretty much follow English composition rules - introduction, main body, and conclusion. Introduce what you are writing about, write about it, and tie it all together at the end. If you are writing about the "top ten restaurants in xxxx," do not just jump into numbers one through ten, provide an introduction to the type of restaurants, or the city, or whatever the list is about.
9. Misused Punctuation, Grammatical Errors, and Spelling Mistakes
These are huge areas of opportunity for writers. I recommend getting ahold of a reliable source, like Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. The misuse of words like "lie" versus "lay" and "it’s" versus "its" is popping up regularly. Learn where to appropriately place commas and other punctuation. There are many resources online where you can take quizzes and brush up on your grammar skills, which I have found extremely helpful.
10. No Self-Promotion and Advertising in Articles
It seems this is becoming a common occurrence wherein people are writing articles that are just pure self-promotion. Just as you would not allow someone to advertise themselves on your own website for free, do not spam other sites either. Many of us are experts in something, that is why we are on Factoidz, but use your profile to promote your business and expertise. Many people fail to fill out information on their profiles, which is a missed opportunity. Or, they do the opposite and overpromote - profiles that include "article writer on hundreds of topics" or "expert in everything" can really turn readers off.
Most sites will not let you link to articles you have written elsewhere, nor can you include your own affiliate links. While everyone is looking to make money from writing, do not make it your sole mission. Trying to sneak in links and information to your own business is not acceptable. Write about what you know related to your profession, but not the business itself. Others will take notice of your professionalism, and perhaps someone else might approach you about doing an interview - then you can "toot your own horn."
While this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of commonly seen mistakes, it is a good place to start. It is always easier to correct bad habits from the start, before they become ingrained practices that could ultimately hold back your dreams of a successful writing career.
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