How to write great content

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by mikeyd, Nov 20, 2007.

  1. #1
    Guys i am looking for tips from any perspective about how to begin writing good content for websites - i own a few websites that are siting blank because i dont know where to begin - what should i be doing ?
     
    mikeyd, Nov 20, 2007 IP
  2. latoya

    latoya Active Member

    Messages:
    749
    Likes Received:
    73
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    70
    #2
    You should be writing. Seriously. You gotta start somewhere. Write, then edit what you wrote.

    Have (maybe pay) someone proofread and edit your writing to let you know what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong.

    I like this article on Writing For The Web.

    If you want to write good content, you should be reading good content. Don't just read for entertainment, but to understand what makes good content. Pay attention to the writing technique, how the content flows, how sentences transition, the tone of the article, the word choices, etc.
     
    latoya, Nov 20, 2007 IP
    internetauthor likes this.
  3. internetauthor

    internetauthor Peon

    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    76
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    Latoya has great advice. If you are still seeking what exactly to write about, look around for other sites in your niche. What do they have? What kinds of articles or content do they have? Do you like the look and feel of those sites?

    Some will tell you to just write similar articles or content for your own site, but what's the point of creating a duplicate site? Get ideas about what is already out there and then find new and interesting perspectives or ideas to share with your visitors. When you've got a few ideas, get started writing. Build the site over time as you can quality, interesting material.

    Rebecca
     
    internetauthor, Nov 20, 2007 IP
  4. mikeyd

    mikeyd Peon

    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    thanks i find both your advice very useful i have been improving recently but its hard to measure myself against anything or to know if i am writing effectively
     
    mikeyd, Nov 20, 2007 IP
  5. dcoops

    dcoops Guest

    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    Get involved in a few writing forums! Post your stuff and get feedback...
     
    dcoops, Nov 21, 2007 IP
  6. KeywordsandCopy

    KeywordsandCopy Peon

    Messages:
    570
    Likes Received:
    9
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    Writing is just like anything else. If you practice you will get better at it. And if you dont, you can always hire a professional to help you out! Check out my blog if you want some further tips on content writing, copywriting, etc...
     
    KeywordsandCopy, Nov 21, 2007 IP
  7. cmonkey

    cmonkey Peon

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    I hire 80% of mine out
     
    cmonkey, Nov 21, 2007 IP
  8. droper

    droper Active Member

    Messages:
    321
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #8
    Write a lot, check your mistakes.
    And improve your stile.
    Learn and get lots of information about what you are writing.

    With investigation and practise, you will see results.
     
    droper, Nov 21, 2007 IP
  9. mikeyd

    mikeyd Peon

    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    thanks guys i just need to put all this to practice - i have been looking for some way to have others proof read my word and coach / advise me - anyone got any links they could add would be great.
     
    mikeyd, Nov 21, 2007 IP
  10. jimmyque

    jimmyque Peon

    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #10
    Join a writers group. There are several on yahoo. But most of all find YOUR passion. Write about problems YOU solved in the area of your niche

    JMb
     
    jimmyque, Nov 25, 2007 IP
  11. magiscoder

    magiscoder Peon

    Messages:
    157
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #11
    Practice, practice, and practice more. You'll just keep getting better. Forum posting has actually helped me a lot. Just do some basic grammar research to refresh on all of the rules and make grammatically correct posts.

    Some fancy vocabulary always helps too, but I find that it's best to make it so that there aren't any words your readers/clients probably won't understand.
     
    magiscoder, Nov 25, 2007 IP
  12. ashvaj

    ashvaj Active Member

    Messages:
    564
    Likes Received:
    14
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #12
    If you are a good reader there exist fair chances that you may become a good writer also.Practicing a lot will also help in the long run. "Droops" and 'Jimmyque" suggest the right way. You need to have a complete look at what is happening around.But I put creativity and innovative conceptualization above all.
    It takes brains and time to write qualitative content.For all other situations hiring a professional editor and writer is always better. It saves you a lot of efforts.
     
    ashvaj, Nov 25, 2007 IP
  13. MichaelE

    MichaelE Member

    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    43
    #13
    To get good you have to practice!

    Seriously just write daily!

    You will improve - you will get better!
     
    MichaelE, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  14. Pristine1

    Pristine1 Peon

    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #14
    It's an issue that I seem to struggle with as well, but I have seen some progress. Latoya pretty much summed it all up!
     
    Pristine1, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  15. qazu

    qazu Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,834
    Likes Received:
    62
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    #15
    And read like Latoya said. Read articles that you found intersting and study their style of writing, the structure of their article, how they qualify what they're saying, etc and try to apply it in your writing.
     
    qazu, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  16. eragonies

    eragonies Peon

    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    4
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #16
    i agreed with magiscoder too..just practice,practice and practice

    before this, i'm also got problem to write in my blog. Then I make first start by posting through the forum. It's ok if you not know well, just say what you think then you can learn a lot better. Instead, it will boost up your confident also. That my approach till now.

    cheers!
     
    eragonies, Dec 1, 2007 IP
  17. cd928

    cd928 Peon

    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    21
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #17
    Hey Mikey. I think it would be helpful too if you make a list of your possible articles for your websites. Try to come up with the structure first so that it would be easier for you to write. So for example if you're writing about cars, start out with the basics first like the history, basic parts, etc. Then you can move to more complicated ones like tuning your car, troubleshooting, etc.

    I hope this helps. :)
     
    cd928, Dec 2, 2007 IP
  18. blogdude

    blogdude Peon

    Messages:
    377
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #18
    A great tip is to see what the big boys and gals are up to and how they do it.
    Check out these blogs which are great:
    boingoing.net
    techcrunch.com
    lifehacker.com
    huffingtonpost.com
    TMZ.com
    Problogger.net
    Copyblogger.com
    blog.guykawasaki.com
    drudgereport.com
    mattcutts.com/blog
    Bestbraindrain.com
    There are many more, but these I read quite often and so does everybody else and they will give you a hint of what's hot and what's not and how to do it and have great impact and readership.

    Blogdude
     
    blogdude, Dec 3, 2007 IP