A Virtual Handbook for Writing on the Internet

I've written a few hubs, and learned a lot of new things along the way. I love to write and I love to share what I research with the world. And everybody will want to read what I write, right?

Ha! In my dreams. I've learned a lot but I'm still learning.

So, I began to investigate. I looked at other hubs, and other blogs, websites and pages.

There are rules to be followed. And yes, they apply to you.

That's one fundamental difference the writer has to keep in mind. You wrote all those formal papers in school and spent days researching. You compiled it all into one nice, big 25-page document.

That won't work online!

The internet reader is looking for information and fast. That means readers have to use search engines to find the relevant information they're looking for quickly. If your webpage is full of text (like a printed page) your reader isn't going to stay long.

Organize your page so that readers can easily scan your content, break it up, chunk it up and bullet.

You've heard the realtor's quip: location, location, location. Think of your writing as real estate. When you have a prospective "buyer", you put your best foot forward. Online, you want the reader to "buy into" what you're saying. To do that, you have to make it pretty. A webpage that is just text is boring and you will lose readers - no matter how good the writing. Use headlines and sub-headlines. Use boldface. Try not to use ALL CAPS because it's harder to read. Add relevant pictures (and please don't steal others' images from Google - use this hub to help you out with images).

Internet readers predominantly scan through what they read. Sure, if it's interesting enough, people might stay awhile. But, the titles and subtitles in your text really need to be relevant to the search they just completed. Try to use keywords (but, moderation is key) and help your reader sort through the mass of information to find what they need quickly by giving them the information they're looking for in titles and subtitles.

Maybe you're absolutely in love with going for a stroll by the lake. Then, you decide to write about it. That's all good and well, but you might not get a lot of readers. It's not the sort of information that is 'burning' and 'gotta have it'.

What content is "gotta have it"?

If you write "How to _______" and insert something useful, you can help to keep readers coming back. "How to know if you're pregnant" is a good one. "How to write" is another. "How to increase web traffic" is still another. These types of articles are "evergreen", meaning they keep readers coming back time after time. You have to be careful writing about popular culture. It might be popular when you're writing about it, but what about a year from now? A month from now? Or even two days from now? Take Paris Hilton. She was all the buzz when she was arrested, but is anyone reading about her right now?

A useful tool is Google Trends. This site can help you find keywords that people are searching for so you can write articles about what people are reading.

• Use "active voice" in your internet writing. That means, make the "subject" of your sentence "do the doing".

"Paris Hilton was arrested." <--This is passive voice and not as effective.

"Police officers arrested Paris Hilton." <-- This is active voice and more effective.

• Use a more conversational style in your writing. Readers want to know that you're speaking to them. The word "you" is important.
• Use contractions. It's easier to read contractions that it is to read long-drawn-out-sentences that take forever to read and get through and bore the reader in the process.
• Spell well and correct typing errors. Readers do not have the patience to sort through your writing if it's full of errors and typos.
• The exclamation point is overused on the internet (!). Use it sparingly so that it doesn't get worn out!!!
• Use short sentences. Don't be like Charles Dickens and have page-long sentences. The people won't have it.

Think about how you read the newspaper. You scan, reading the headlines and try to find what's interesting to you. The internet is like that, except even more so. Get to the point and answer the questions in your articles as soon as you can. If you don't start answering the questions to draw in your readers, why would they stay?

Now that you've written good content and made your article, hub or lens rather attractive, the next part is a little more difficult.

But there are lots of useful hubs with tons of information about putting all the rules together.

Hubs on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Google is your friend. It really is. But, you also need to be friends with Google and the way to do that is through SEO. Take a look at the Ten Top Search Engine Optimization Tips
• Another great hub on Search Engine Optimization by "eternaltreasures" will prove helpful with lots of great tips.
• Avoid mistakes before you make them. See the hub on Do You Make These Six Search Engine Optimization Mistakes.

Creating Useful Backlinks

• If you want to increase traffic to your well-written hub or article, have a look at "livewithrichard's" hub, "Guide to Backlinks

Always Use Referral Trackers

• "Pegcole" has created a beautiful and incredibly useful hub on Creating Referral Links.
• "Missolive" is another great Hubber for doling out useful advice on referral trackers and boosting hubs. See her hub on Hub Boosters, Referral Trackers and Blogs.

Make Your HubPages Attractive

• Once you've written an article, the great thing about the internet is that it doesn't have to be a static article. You can make it more dynamic and attractive even after publishing. Check out the hub How to Brush Up Your Hubpages. You'll find that this is a great way to increase SEO, page views and more.
• Another hub talks more about How to Make More Attractive Hubs. Take a look.

This list isn't exhaustive, of course. But if you remember these 7 rules, you'll be well on your way to writing effectively online...to make money...to help people...to disseminate useful information...to have fun.

• Rule #1: Internet Writing Isn't Print!
• Rule #2: Presentation, Presentation, Presentation
• Rule #3: Write Strong Titles and Subtitles
• Rule #4: Write What People Want to Read
• Rule #5: Use Proper Grammar
• Rule #6:Answer Who, What, When, Why, Where
• Rule #7:Pay attention to SEO, keywords, and increasing traffic rules