Question: I created one child for print, and another for the web

Question: I created one child for print, and another for the web
Is there a difference? Can you tell the difference?

Answer:

Answer:
The child created for the web is a lot shorter and much more active.

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Writing for new media is different

Writing for new media and the web has unique payoffs and pitfalls. Using them will help us write copy that appears before more readers and holds their attention longer. Let's share our tips for writing copy that will spark interest, maintain reader involvement, and place highly in search results.

Let's also discuss non-copy elements - widgets, RSS feeds, polls, imbedded video, photos, and killer graphics - that we use to engage the reader. We need every trick: readers are just one click away from other compelling articles and videos...and they know it.

Friday, July 31, 2009

A few writers are telling me "B," that good copy is just good copy, period.

I admit that with minor format modifications and more direct copy (due as much to our TV-diminished attention span as to the demands of new media) a good writer can easily adapt. There's a lot to learn about the new technologies themselves, but that's outside our discussion on style. Please keep the feedback coming in.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Some say "A," it's a different animal.

I asked the same question on LinkedIn, and got feedback that people thought writing for new media demanded a completely different skill set. True, hypertext can provide detail without slowing down the copy, and copy chunks have to be a lot shorter.