Daniel Scocco reports with a guest post by Quan Quach:
"Creating value-packed content is key in attracting and retaining readership. One of the best ways to create such value-packed content is to write an informative tutorial or guide on a subject that is sorely lacking one. Writing such a tutorial can be a great way to develop your reputation, increase web traffic to your site, build incoming links to your site, and...make you an authority on the given topic. Tutorials are a great source of traffic that is maintained over time. Regular blog posts bring in the majority of their visitors during the first couple [of] days of their existence. Afterwards they might as well be deleted from your blog because they will most likely rot in the archives, never to be read again. Tutorials[,] on the other hand, provide consistent traffic that will bring in more traffic over its [lifetime] than many of your other posts. It is not a stretch to say that a good tutorial can bring in as much traffic (or more) compared to 20 well[-]written posts...You should start with topics wherein you have a good amount of knowledge...[It's] a good idea to do a quick search on Google to gauge the competition. Another good idea is to consider writing tutorials on topics that don’t have any tutorials written on them yet. Obviously, it helps if there is a need or demand for said tutorial. Usually, if you are the first person to write a comprehensive tutorial on a particular topic, there’s a good chance that your tutorial will attract all the traffic and establish a firm spot atop the search engines . . . that is, until someone writes a superior tutorial on the same topic. The next 10 tips will help prevent this from happening...Clearly state the objective of your tutorial. This should be done in the title description and then once again in more detail at the very beginning of the tutorial. This gives readers an idea of what to expect and helps them determine if they want to continue reading...You want to write the tutorial in such a manner that a 3rd grader can understand and follow. Tutorials require a different style of writing than you are probably used [to] because your main objective is to teach something to the user. It is imperative that your tutorial is clear and concise so that the reader does not get confused or frustrated. Remember, a tutorial is supposed to help a person learn, so you want to make it as easy as possible for them...A picture can be worth a thousand words. Most of the time, you will need pictures to explain how to do things. Using [screenshots] and modifying images to describe what you are saying can greatly aid in getting your point across to the reader. Well[-]placed pictures can make or break a good tutorial...Find simple examples that will best illustrate your point. Examples are critical to a tutorial because applying information can really help the reader understand and grasp the material better. Talking about doing something, and actually doing it are two completely different things. If possible, multiple examples should be used...If relevant, include source files of examples that you conduct...Writing tutorials in list format make[s] them more visually appealing and increase[s] their readability. Some tutorials can get quite large, so developing an organized structure can help your user navigate around the different sections...Some users prefer that all the content is on one page, so it might be a good idea to offer both formats...It’s better to have two simple steps, than one step that is longer and more complicated. Remember, we’re trying to make it easier on the reader, not harder...Leave nothing to ambiguity...Explaining more is better than explaining less. More information is better than less information. Once again, it all comes down to making it easy for the reader. Try not to make any assumptions about what the reader does or does not know...Proofread and run through your tutorial. It is also a good idea to have some other people do the same. Odds are good that they will find stuff you forgot to mention. In addition, they can provide feedback on parts where you failed to explain certain things clearly or parts where more information could have been offered...Include a Frequently Asked Question[s] (FAQ) section. This is a good way to answer questions before they are even asked and acts as a good supplement to the tutorial. As you get more feedback from readers, you can continually update the...FAQ section so that new readers do not ask the same questions...No matter how comprehensive your tutorial is, it is practically guaranteed that you will forget to address a particular issue or that people will have further questions. You should treat your tutorial as a living document and edit it when new information comes into play. You should also be ready to answer any questions in a timely manner. By showing that you are active and willing to help, you will build credibility by the sheer number of comments and responses. If the comment section gets too crowded, you may even have to consider using a forum. If you follow these eleven tips, you should have no problem creating a high[-]quality tutorial." Lionbridge Marketing reports:
"Think you can get by without a multilingual marketing strategy? After all, don’t most people in the world speak English? Yes, they do. But the answer to the first question is still probably '[N]o'...Checking the language distribution of site visitors is one way to determine which languages to target. Here are three reasons your brand needs a multilingual content marketing strategy...'Brands that engage with potential customers in their second language lose the chance to interact in a more effective manner,' explains Ian Humphreys, regional director for Caliber...'We work in the Arab world and while English is widely spoken, brands that don’t market in Arabic are missing out on a powerful segment of decision makers who are crying out for content in their native language. You are essentially making life slightly inconvenient for your customers, and as a marketer that’s the last thing you want to do.' He adds that multilingual marketing enables you to penetrate untouched market segments because engaging in the local language reveals insights that you might be ignorant of otherwise...'It’s easy to ignore other languages if one dominant language makes up the majority. When English accounts for 90%, it can be tempting to dismiss the other 10%—but what if that 10% holds a more qualified and likely-to-convert audience within it[?]' [Bhuiyan] Orun posits. 'Alienating part of your audience is the obvious downside. But it doesn’t end there…[Multilingual] websites with the correct markup can lead to increased performance on search and social. It’s a little like having two websites. As most marketers understand, some aspects of SEO and referral traffic are a numbers game–the more pages/content your site has, the more of a probability you have of ranking in search engines.' If you’re running an ecommerce site, you already offer prices in the visitor’s native currency, 'so it doesn’t take much to further customize the experience by addressing nuances in the language of the region.'...'Generally speaking, emerging markets are the regions where English fluency is weakest, yet those are the same markets that promise huge growth in the coming decade,' explains Denise Goluboff...'It would be foolish to ignore the opportunity to gain traction in high-growth regions of the world where your product could make a huge impact.' She says translated content is especially important in Asia and Latin America. For instance, [a] U.S. high[-]tech company can use English-only materials and demos at a trade show in Germany and do well since the majority of the attendees at a show like that speak and understand English quite well. 'But if you try to pull that off in China or Argentina,' she warns, 'you won’t just struggle to get your message out–you’ll be wasting your time. If your competitor, however, has localized content and local staff at the show, they will be light years ahead of you. If they are offering translated and localized content that is useful and compelling, then they will build brand equity with the global audience.' That’s why creating a multilingual marketing strategy isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore...A Common Sense Advisory report found that we need 12 languages to communicate with 80% of the global online audience; and a whopping 21 languages if we want to achieve 90% of the potential audience. Don’t miss out on additional market share and brand equity in the international marketplace. Now’s the time to take a closer look at your global audience and the languages they speak so you can use translation tools to build an effective multilingual marketing strategy." Samuel Hamilton reports:
"Trend analysis reports examine data in an effort to determine if certain actions or reactions occur in a patterned trend. Trend analysis reports aid workers and researchers in a multitude of fields as they attempt to make predictions about their subject matter. The summary component of a trend analysis report offers general statements about all of the components of the report as a type of overview. Writing a trend analysis summary requires you to briefly describe each component of the report and provide a summative statement regarding the findings of the report...Describe the collected data analyzed within the report...[A] general statement about both the type of data gathered and the manner in which the data was gathered is important in your summary...Detail the criteria you used to evaluate the data. If you borrowed criteria or evaluative methods from other researchers, cite their contributions to your report...List any and all results that seem to indicate trends...Explain any recommendations your trend analysis report will make in the conclusion section of the report." Jon Ostrow reports:
"For most bands, the songwriting is the key factor in their success. And while we certainly don’t want to underplay the importance of writing unique music, it is the lyrics that often make the difference between remarkable and unremarkable songs. So what makes a great, remarkable lyric? Below [is] a list of five common mistakes that you should avoid when writing lyrics...Good lyrics often tell a story or explore a theme. It is this focus on one idea that makes the overall song have a cohesive feel from verse to verse. A mistake that many make is to attempt to present multiple ideas within one song, which more often than not will make each separate idea feel isolated from the rest of the song...Your goal is to have your listener remember the song far after it has finished as that is what will turn them into a fan and keep them coming back time and time again. An obvious hook line is crucial to the success of a song, as it is what will make it remarkable...There is nothing wrong with metaphoric [and/or] philosophical ideas, but without a grounded underlying idea or theme that listeners can connect with, the ideas will fail...A mistake that many make when trying to seem ‘interesting’ or ‘artistic’ is the write in an awkward, backward style, breaking up a phrase in a way that doesn’t make sense, but only serves to be ‘different’. Lyrics are always at their best when written in a way that makes sense to the listener...A disingenuous lyric will come off as such very quickly and is a great way to lose your listener. No matter what your idea or theme is in your song, your lyrics need to connect with you in order for them to take a life of their own. Otherwise the lack of conviction behind them will make the lyrics feel stale." Mari L. McCarthy reports:
"When you write daily, you can expect to see significant physical, mental and emotional changes, according to scientists who are now starting to investigate this new field of expressive writing...We’ve all got baggage, accumulated throughout our lives. Journaling helps us unpack and let go of the heavy load that’s been dragging us down. It also helps uncover our stress points. Stress isn’t always obvious; it thrives below the surface. The roots of our problems...are often buried deep in the subconscious mind...Through a writing therapy practice you work through every aspect of your life...Writing Therapy puts us in touch with our [subconscious] mind and reveals more of our authentic Self, helping us grow and heal from past hurts and traumas. Your journal is your best friend as you become your own therapist and primary healthcare provider." Printwand, Inc. reports:
"Ernest Hemingway wasn’t a fan of fluff writing. Legend has it that when the author was challenged to write a story using only six words, Hemingway responded with 'For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn.' Hemingway’s six[-]word story proves you don’t need wordiness, redundancy or filler to write descriptive copy that invokes an emotional response. You just need to speak to what is familiar to the reader and carefully choose your words...Fluffy writing is like junk food—it has no real value. Sure it fills up a page, but it leaves the audience hungry for something better (if they don’t quit reading it altogether). You want your copy to be like an entrée at a five-star restaurant: compact yet filling, expertly crafted with precision and memorable enough for repeat business...Before you sit down to write any copy, make a rough outline of what you want to get across. This helps you to eliminate fluff before it happens by making sure your content is tight and informative. When you do start writing, you’ll find it easier to stay on topic and compose your thoughts in an orderly, economical fashion...A flyer advertising the grand opening of a new nail salon shouldn’t spend a lot of time describing the company’s mission statement or its various hygiene and safety standards; that sort of thing belongs in a different marketing piece. Stay focused on your goals and keep your writing on task...Resist the urge to fill up your copy using two or more words that mean the same thing. For example, 'We keep your investments safe and secure' can be cut down to just 'We keep your investments safe.' By avoiding redundancy...now it’s free from fluff. The same thing goes for redundant content. If you’ve said something once, you don’t need to say it again in a different context. Trust that the reader got the information the first time...Sometimes you can get away with cutting out entire phrases and replacing them with one word that sums up everything you want to say. For example, 'Perform this step only after everything else has first been completed' is too long and fluffy while 'Perform this step last' gets to the point. It’s better to use one word with weight [than] a bunch of redundant words that mean the same thing, even when those words invoke different concepts...Eliminating fluff isn’t just about using the right words—it’s about creating content that has real value. If you’re just repeating what the reader already knows or spouting off common knowledge, then the content itself is fluff, even if it’s well-written and to the point. Many writers run into this problem when they try to make their content accessible to everyone. However, copywriting is about attracting a particular audience, so your content should speak directly to your audience and what they know...The fluffiest words of all are the ones that add absolutely no value to your copy. These are words like 'very' or 'there' that would be better replaced with something weightier. Why say 'Our staff is very friendly' when you can simply say 'Our staff is [friendly'?] Is there really that big of a difference between a 'friendly' person and a 'very friendly' person? Instead of saying 'There is a free gift with every purchase,' write 'Enjoy a free gift with purchase.'...If you’re targeting a general American audience, there’s a decent chance that half of the people reading your content are doing so at an 8th grade reading level or lower. You can’t fill up your copy with a bunch of long, complicated words because you’ll run the risk of losing more than half of your audience. Keep your language simple and your words small...Once you understand how to use active vs. passive voice, you can use it to make your writing more direct and confident without relying on extra fluff. Saying 'A copy of your invoice will be e-mailed to you by our representatives' gets the point across, but in a slightly roundabout and confusing way. You can eliminate a few words and make that fluffy sentence easier to understand by switching to active [voice]: 'We’ll e-mail you a copy of your invoice.'...Put on your hockey mask and break out the machete because the only way to eliminate that leftover fluff in your copy is to slash and gut it. Take some time away from your piece once you’ve completed your first draft so you can see your work from a fresh perspective. This will make it easier for you to spot the fluffy words and phrases...It’s easier to part with bad content if you think you’ll be able to use it again—even if you never actually do. It helps to have a second set of eyes look over your work to see if they can find any fluff you might have missed. Read your copy out loud to find even more extraneous writing to eliminate. Start with any section where you trip over your words or have to take a breath mid-sentence...Eliminating redundancy and fluff shouldn’t have an adverse effect on your tone, [but] it should just be a way to make sure your message isn’t being muddled and that your audience takes the action you want them to perform." Angie Drobnic Holan reports:
"Fact-checking isn’t so different from traditional journalism, but it does have a different outlook, specifically, a relentless focus on evidence. When you’re fact-checking, your goal is to uncover all the evidence. Over the years, we’ve worked out some super-charged search strategies. When we’re on the hunt for evidence, we use a checklist to make sure we don’t miss anything. While every fact-check is different, you can use the same techniques to ferret out facts and get to the truth. Here, then, is an adapted version of our checklist for use with any type of journalistic fact-checking...We find that when people make factual statements, even if they’re speaking completely off the cuff, they will usually be able to tell you that they got the claim from somewhere. People tend not to make up statements out of thin air, even inaccurate ones. Consider the evidence you get from speakers as a tip sheet. Once you have it, you can look for other evidence that contradicts it or confirms it. Also, it’s basic fairness to tell someone you’re fact-checking them, so they can give their side of the story...We all like to be original, but it’s rare to be the absolute first fact-checker looking at a claim. More often than not, someone else has researched and written what you’re investigating, or at least something similar. At PolitiFact, we check our archive of more than 8,000 fact-checks to see what we’ve written on a given topic. We also look at the work of our friends at Factcheck.org, the Washington Post’s Fact Checker, Snopes[,] and other fact-checking sites -- and we credit appropriately. We will look at what they found and then verify the evidence for ourselves. We’ll also pursue other ideas and angles on an issue...[A] Google search is basic, but Google’s algorithm is powerful. If you start typing in a few words, watch carefully to see what terms Google suggests. Google’s advanced search settings allow you to look at specific sites and time periods. Don’t settle for typing in just one or two queries. Search using as many different combinations as you can...Challenge yourself to learn how to use Google’s search operators so you can look by file type...or domain name...It takes a little time to learn Google’s advanced capabilities, but it’s well worth it...The Deep Web includes areas of the Internet that aren’t open to surface searching. This usually means databases and subscription sites. Here at PolitiFact, we use paid databases like Lexis Nexis and CQ to search for congressional votes, public comments[,] or news reports that can be decades old. We use the database Critical Mention to search TV shows and their closed captions. And we use the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine (it’s free) to find older information that people have pulled down from the Web. Keep in mind that new databases are coming online all the time, so don’t assume that what wasn’t there yesterday isn’t there today. (This is true for Google results, too.) Can’t afford to pay for a subscription site? Check your local public library. Many libraries offer access to commercial databases if you simply key in your library card with a pin code...Experts can point you to research you might not find on your own, and they often give important context to research you already found. Experts can often save you from making wrong assumptions about complicated topics. Make sure to ask experts to help you find more experts...In politics, because we have a two-party system, we often reduce issues to two sides. But the world is more complicated than that, and you should look for more than two sides to any specific controversy or issue. Experts can really help you move beyond black-and-white views of issues to portray a spectrum of complexity...[S]earching Amazon can help you find authors to interview. Amazon’s 'search inside the book' can help you look up quotes or find explanations of technical terms. The website WorldCat.org can find the book and tell you which library it’s in that is closest to you. Then there are ebooks; buy them from a vendor or look for free downloads from the Internet Archive or your local library...[W]hen it comes to fact-checking, after you’ve gone through the points above, you’ll know a lot more about the topic you're investigating. That’s when you need to take a break, circle back, and ask yourself these questions: 'What else haven’t I looked at? Whom else could I talk to? What other angle should I be considering?' Taking a break to think through the process can often unlock the door to the final, critical piece of information that will ensure fact-checking success." Kimberly Kerr reports:
"It is very important to write a comment about all of the different elements going on in a song. First, begin with the Introduction. Was it too long or too short? Does it sound good? What is the melody like and does it naturally flow into the beginning of the song well? Does it sound interesting or simple and boring? What is the genre of the song? Next comment on the vocal ability of the vocalist. Do they have pitch problems? Do they sound commercial and radio ready? Is their voice deep and distinctive or original and appealing? Do they need additional voice lessons? It is important when writing a song review to be very honest about what you think. Artists need to hear from others what they really think without sugar[-]coating the facts. Maybe they try to sing out of range? Do they sing too monotone or sing great? Maybe they sound like they have top hit potential? Of all of the comments that you could make, one of the most important elements in a song is the lyrics. Do they sound good? Are they effective? Are the lyrics too offensive? Do they sound original and inspiring? Do they have catchy lines that make the song appealing? Maybe the words are childish and immature. Let them know what you think of the words, [because] it is extremely important for a song review. Maybe the vocalist can really sing good but the words to the song are horrible. Let them know what you feel about their music! If the lyrics are bad, suggest how to fix them. Instrumental Arrangement is very important in song reviews as well. Sometimes the instruments do not flow well together. Other times the beat of the drums is awesome, the guitar blends well and the song is perfect. If the song sounds the same all throughout, let them know that the background instrumentals are flat and boring. Give them suggestions on what they could add into their tracks to make the song more appealing. If the song needs more instrumental elements, let them know that the song needs a little more something to make it a better song. Let them know if they have great new artist or top hit potential. Are they radio ready? The best way to write a song review is to just be honest. Let the artist know what you think and how the music makes you feel. Offer constructive criticism and suggestions that you think would help their song be more of a hit song." Taylor Jacobson reports:
"Unfortunately, experts tend to be a bit self-promoting and arrogant, and arrogance is a sure way to lose your readers. The opposite approach won’t work either. Timid, non-confrontational storytelling doesn’t do justice to the value you can contribute to your readers. So, what’s a writer to do?...Humility creates a natural connection to your reader. Acknowledging failures makes you seem human to your readers. On top of that, your failure validates how you came into the knowledge that you’re presenting. Failures can even be a great source of humor. Being authentic and vulnerable also shows confidence. You’re willing to lay it on the line, imperfections and all. This confidence – without arrogance – is exactly what will draw readers to you...Recounting your experience allows your reader to relate to you. By identifying with your story, your readers can make inferences and convince themselves of the relevance of what you have to say. By staying present to your own journey – where you started, how you transformed, where you are now – you give your knowledge necessary context...Generalizations have their time and place – they’re great for headers, topic sentences and summarizing points...Once you’ve used generalizations to create structure, you can dive right into the details, which bring your expertise to life...'I' is the most powerful way to tell a story. Your stories are powerful credentials and hooks. They draw your reader in, letting them know who you are...Telling a story in the first person is also a kind of evidence-based approach to making an argument. Just as citing your sources lends you credibility, citing your experience does so as well. 'You' is the voice we use when speaking to a friend. This is the riskiest voice because it can easily become preachy, but it is also essential in order to connect with your reader. Every time you use this voice, try speaking the lines aloud as if to an imagined friend over a drink or dinner. If you don’t feel comfortable saying it to a friend, it won’t sound right to your reader either. 'We' is a great voice for making generalizations...'We' is a great way to humbly make assertions about the way things are because we show ourselves as equals to our readers...Once you’ve established context and humility [with a brief personal back-story], you’re ready to share the lessons you’ve learned. Now you can switch to the second person or first person plural...Just because you’re humble doesn’t mean you aren’t going to put a stake in the ground. Equivocating – reporting information without adding your perspective – will bore your readers to death. After all, it’s your perspective that your readers are after. We merely need to recognize that what we’re presenting is not a dogma handed down from on high. It is not a universal truth. It is a truth in our lives, at this moment. Acknowledge the limits of your knowledge and you can largely preempt the challengers and naysayers...Even using every trick in the book, we can’t always strike the proper tone. Putting our writing aside and revising it later may still be the best tool of all. Hear yourself reacting to the tone and word choice, and re-write the post while you can still feel that reaction. Your instinct will easily recognize places where you’ve been too abstract or impersonal, too assertive or preachy, or just too verbose. No need to be down on yourself for missing the mark on the first try – that’s what you and countless other great writers throughout history have had to do to get to the right end results." Mark Nichol reports:
"The policy of preceding every item in a list but the last one with a comma is commonsensical...Confusion is possible when you don’t and highly unlikely when you do. What if, using a non-serial-comma style, you write about more than two things when one of the things consists of more than one part or ingredient?...Do you insert a serial comma for clarity (and introduce an inconsistency) or leave the sentence as is for readers to stumble on? Adherence to serial-comma style eliminates the dilemma...Job titles are capitalized only before names. Names of academic majors aren’t capitalized unless they are already proper nouns, like names of languages ('English') or references to regions ('Asian studies'). Generic names of entities ('the hospital,' 'the organization,' and so on) are lowercased. Yes, capitalization is a minefield; when in doubt, look it up...A comma alone cannot separate two independent clauses in a sentence. Break the clauses into distinct sentences, or separate them with a semicolon or an em dash — or a comma and a conjunction (and, or, and so on) — but not with a comma alone...'Decision making,' 'problem solving,' and similar compound nouns require no hyphen, unless they precede a noun as a compound modifier ('decision-making procedure,' 'problem-solving aptitude'). 'Near collision' and other similar constructions don’t, either, with the same exception ('near-collision statistics'). Established compound modifiers usually don’t require a hyphen even before a noun ('high school student'). Confused? Here’s a simple rule: Look it up...Words can be italicized to indicate that they are being used to refer to themselves, not the things they stand for ('Note the word emphasis'), or to signal a foreign term ('Wunderbar' means 'wonderful'), or to make sure the reader understands that something is really important. Words can be initial-capped to indicate irony or other humorous intent. ('The rent-a-cop exuded the air of an Authority Figure.') Boldface is appropriate for introducing new vocabulary or otherwise calling attention to an unfamiliar term but is best limited to textbooks and guidebooks. But all-caps are invariably excessive, 'scare quotes' are seldom necessary, and be judicious about otherwise calling attention to words and phrases." |
Writing and editing can be pretty rigorous processes if you want to do them well, but that's what this page is here for. Check out the latest tips here. Archives
March 2024
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