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WebiMax Blog

Digital marketing tips and advice.

How Clear is Your Content: An Homage to KISS

Dan Heinkel, July 18, 2012

Image of Gene Simmons from KissThis is my first blog post for WebiMax and I'd hate to start things off on the wrong foot. So, first and foremost, I'd like to apologize for misleading any Gene Simmons fans.  As much as I'd love to tie The Demon and Starchild to SEO, I think I'll save that for a later date.

I do want to talk about KISS, though: Keep it simple, stupid!

This is probably the best advice I can give to content creators. It's the key to good, attractive web content. And as we know in SEO and business, in general, good web copy can be your biggest asset.

So what do I mean by writing clear copy and keeping it simple?

Engagement

We've all been there. We've all started to read something only to feel completely lost after the first sentence. So what do we do?  We go back and read it again. Once we think we've got it, we move onto the next sentence. Then, sure enough we come across another sentence that causes us to pause and re-read it.  It's exhausting.

In order to have good web copy it needs to be engaging. One sentence should flow into the next.  Your readers should be able to get through the entire page without feeling they had to labor.  Of course, this doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality, though.  Sometimes the wisest words are found in the shortest sentences.

Brevity is Best

This should apply to all forms of writing but it is particularly true with the web.  Simply put, people don't read--they scan.  This means you need to be strategic with your writing. Big, long chunks of text intimidate users. Common language, short sentences, short paragraphs, headings, and bullet points are your allies.

By doing so, you drastically increase the number of users who will actually read your content.  After all, isn't that the goal?

This is Nothing New

Clarity has always been instrumental in good writing.  If you pick up any writing book, most harp on simplicity.  Whether you prefer to read Strunk and White or Stephen King's memoir, they all talk about being clear in your writing.  When people label a piece as "a good read" it's usually because it connects with them; it doesn't soar over their heads.  And that's because the author kept things simple--they engaged and conversed with the reader.

In the words of W.B. Yeats: "Think like a wise man but express yourself like the common people."

As a senior copywriter at WebiMax, I look forward to sharing more blog posts on content and how it can help your business. For more information, please feel free reach out to me at dheinkel(at)webimax.com

 

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Ken Wisnefski is a seasoned web entrepreneur and a frequent contributor to news outlets and business publications. Ken’s vast knowledge of how to make online businesses succeed has made him a sought after consultant from businesses wishing to improve their online initiatives. Contact pr@webimax.com to collaborate!

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