In pursuit of Internet writing knowledge, I picked up Hot Text: Web Writing that Works by Jonathan Price, Lisa Price. The book focuses on writing professionally so that people will read the text and buy the product. While I am not writing to sell anything at the moment (other than my amazing thoughts and ideas), Hot Text was still useful.
The chapter entitled "Making News that Fits" was the most informative. Someday, I may find myself writing for a news site, so I should know how to do it.
Important info I picked up:
~Writers should have a headline and first paragraph that makes the reader stay on the site.
~Readers come to pages expecting current, educated news. Provide it.
~Links, pictures, and sound add to a story to make it more informative if they aren't overpowering the text.
I also learned some great tips about writing a newsletter. This definitly peeked my interest since I am starting one with Stormy, Ashley, and Kristen- classmates. None of us really know the first thing about making our own newsletter, so the book helped. (To subscribe to the newsletter on fashion, e-mail RealFashion@columnist.com)
Newsletter Info:
~E-mail newsletters should be similar to a website in providing a comprehensive collection of information.
~Readers want the newsletter to be personal and not just one big advertisement.
~The newsletter should inform or entertain the reader so he or she will continue reading it.
What I learned from Hot Text will help me in several writing careers, not just Internet ones. All writing must be grasp and keep the reader's attention and also provide the service that it promises.
Source: Hot Text: Web Writing that Works by Jonathan Price, Lisa Price
Hi Vanessa! For our newsletter we subscribed to a mailing list service via coollist.com. It's kind of a pain because of the pop-up ads but it makes it really easy for people to subscribe to the list. You'll see on our blog:
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/Madness/
that there is a nice little box where a person can just enter their email address then press a button.
just thought you guys might be interested! p.s. i think it is fabulous that you are covering plus-sized fashions in your newsletter. yay!
Posted by: Moira at October 13, 2004 05:16 PMAs much as I complain and hate buying all of the books for school, the one we have really will hep and give information on our writing. The newsletter is great and I love the fact that you cover things that are cheap. I am a poor college kid and money is hard to come by these days. So great job!!!
Posted by: Vicki at October 14, 2004 02:42 PM