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The Web Writer’s Toolbox
If you began your career before there were blogs and Web sites, chances are you didn’t think you’d be called on to write much (unless you were a writer by trade). But now that the Internet is probably part and parcel of your daily life, you might find yourself writing more than ever before. If this has left you at a bit of a loss, you’re not alone. That’s why I put together these diverse resources that can help you hone your writing skills:
Web terminology guide
Because Web terms are relatively new, some are in transition from one form to another. This guide lists common Web terms and defines which of their sometimes many variables are correct.
Keyword analysis 101
Wouldn’t it be great if you could just write your gems, put them on your Web site or blog and have search engine traffic come swarming? Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way — unless you make the effort to research your keywords and include them in your text and online marketing efforts. This beginner’s guide to keyword analysis will help you do just that.
Why you sometimes have to write blog posts with no regard for Google
The author of this post makes the important point that sometimes, creating relationships with your readers is just as important as reaching out to search engine traffic. This post is pointed at the real estate trade, but it applies to anyone who is trying to convert readers into customers for their core businesses.
Grammar myth-busters
Many of us grew up with grammar rules that aren’t true, yet for some reason everyone believes them. So if you worry about ending a sentence with a preposition or beginning a sentence with and or but, check out these posts.
Offline resources
If you want to learn more about writing but don’t want to spend a lot of time doing it, I recommend these resources:
The Elements of Style
This book contains all the important rules of grammar and editorial style in one small volume. If you’re looking for a quick course in the rules of writing, The Elements of Style would be a good choice. Even seasoned writers re-read it every so often because it covers many important points.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
If you’d like some inspiration along with your writing instruction, this book is for you. It was written by horror-genre titan Stephen King, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a powerful book that not only shares priceless writing tips; it will leave you with the feeling that you can be a great writer too.
If you really want to dig down and learn about the minutiae of writing, this is the perfect resource:
The Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) contains nearly every rule about grammar, usage, punctuation and anything else related to writing. The CMOS is available in print and also through paid subscription to their online version. But if you don’t want to spend the money, you can search their free online FAQs section. The answers to reader-submitted questions by CMOS editors provide quite an education all by themselves and are often very funny.
As with anything of substance, the resources above can’t be digested in one sitting. You might want to bookmark this page and access it the next time a writing issue comes up or if you need some inspiration. In the meantime, happy writing!
Carla Chadwick is the owner of B2B Content Solutions and the author of the WordPlay blog, which provides editorial tips and tools to help you write better Web copy.
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