Copywriters - Everything You Need to Know

28/08/2009 by FeedCrazy.

There are a lot of opportunities for copywriters online simply because a lot of website developers are looking for high quality web content on their sites. However, the website demands a different approach compared to other copywriting jobs offline. Copywriters who are venturing into cyberspace for the first time will find these tips especially useful.

Using words economically

While scriptwriting may demand for wry or clever language, website content writing flourishes in simplicity and straightforwardness. Most copywriters online learn this the hard way, as their articles are returned time and again by clients. You need to understand that it’s doubly difficult to read from the screen compared to simply hearing the words off an actor’s mouth or reading it on well laid out paper. When it comes to web content, every single word you type in is counted.

The trick is to fill up each sentence with helpful information, and to get rid of the “fluff” in between. Your online readers are intelligent, and it’s insulting for them when you try to pass off bluff sentences for “factual ones”. You’re encouraged to use simple, short high school sentences when you’re writing online because you also need to take into account global readers who may not understand English as their first language. However, you shouldn’t sound like you’re talking to a five year old. If the client asks for an informative article, give him/her something with a lot of meat. Don’t fill up the word count requirement with useless raves and hype text.  

Inserting keywords artfully

Another difference between magazine writing and web content writing is the use of keywords. When you write in a magazine, you’re discouraged from using the same words over and over again. In web content writing, however, you need to have full control of your word use. Your clients are bound to ask you to repeat certain keywords in your article body for a very specific number of times.

As copywriters, though, it’s your job to make these keywords fit like a glove into your text body. If it sticks out like a sore thumb, you’ve failed as a web content writer. The trick is to weave the keywords well within the text without making their inclusion too obvious or awkward. Your text should still be “natural” sounding even with the client’s keyword density requirements.

Inverted pyramid

If you’re planning to be a copywriter for websites, you need to have an impeccably organized mind frame. This usually comes with practice, practice, and more practice. Make sure that you always write your articles in the inverted pyramid order. This simply means that you include all the important things in the beginning of your article. If you’re used to writing the conclusions at the end, try to do it the other way around. Write the gist of your articles at the beginning, and then expound on the key points.

Ideally, each key point should be marked by a subtitle. Remember, you should be thinking of your readers’ sake when you write online articles. Subtitles make the job of finding the information easier for the readers. Your paragraphs should also be written in such a way that they contain only one main idea each.

Proof read

No client wants to work with a web content writer who’s less than meticulous about his/her work. Always proofread your articles before sending it to the client. Make sure that your works are devoid of typographical or grammatical errors. Also, make sure that they’re original by running them through anti-plagiarism programs online.

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