SYNOPSIS
Little has been said about writing styles suitable for the net. Authors must write with the scrolling eye in mind. This unique formatting skill is discussed here by the experienced author of the successful new ebook SPIRITUAL MUFFINS.
Here are ten pointers for you to scroll through and store on your hard drive, or in that safe place where you mentally copy and save real good information - your brain.
1. TITLE AND PICTURE.
Trying to catch that scrolling eye and hold! You just have one second so your TITLE must hold the scroller's attention. A picture of you also helps cement a bond. Find your best mug shot and crop it out of your scanner. Don't have a scanner? That's sad as they are a lot of fun.
2. A SYNOPSIS
If it is an ezine article you are writing provide a short synopsis at the top is a great start to catching and holding a scrolling eye. With an ebook the synopsis needs to be a little longer - but no longer than 3 seconds MAX. If you catch them here they will continue, if not it is ZIP (CLICK and GONE).
3. LAYOUT
Think about size, fonts and layout styles. Use variety to catch the eye. Some emails do not support different fonts, but size of letter does catch the
EYE
of
a
scroller.
How is that? Like it? Experiment with style and layout for effect.
4. PERSONAL STYLE
Net readers respond best to either a highly technical article or a personal approach. Being personal helps contradict the very impersonal computer. A whimsical style also goes over well. Write about the subject you know the best so you come across with quiet authority. Be able to say, I guarantee it from my experience.
5. SPELLING
Spell check for heavenb sake. Oops I forgot. By the way, my computer can't spell scroller! Bring your spell checker up to date. Also, have you put a world-wide translator on your site? The world is a very small place online, and it is a courtesy to provide translations. There are several FREE programs available. Use your favourite search engine to find one.
6. SUBTITLES
Now go over what you have written and place a catchy subtitle on every paragraph. Cut paragraphs to no longer than five lines. Editors call it rewriting! Rewriting! Rewriting! Sometimes I've done fourteen rewrites. If what you are saying is important it deserves your implicit attention to detail, while cutting out the rift-raft (is that a word I should have cut or left in?).
7. USE OF HUMOUR AND STORY
If you want to catch a scroller's attention note this poorly kept secret: people like to snoop! Tell them something personal and you will hold their attention a little longer. Share a funny story about how your computer is driving you to distraction. People will identify and read on to see what you have done about the naughty web. See, this paragraph is ten lines and you still read it all the way THROUGH.
8. USE CATCH WORDS
Weave any of the following into your writing, making it sizzle with : NEW, TRUE, AUTHORITY, YOU, GUARANTEED, BONUS, FIRST, QUICK, NOW, CATCH, FAST, PERSONAL. And use the preverbal FREE, only now it's not so free. Use verbs and descriptive phrases. Keep action moving in the present tense.
9.SUMMARY
A short summary in point form is helpful at the end of your article or chapter. Not good at that? Then let me share another secret. Use the PARAGRAPH SUBTITLES and presto! It's done!
10. LINKS AND MORE LINKS
If you are writing an article post your RESOURCE BOX at its conclusion outlining your personal claim to computer fame. Note your area of expertise. Most ezines only accept a short Resource Box. Make sure you include a link to your web page, checking that it's correct. Then it's
No more ZIP, CLICK and GONE. Your scrollers are now readers. They gladly LINK and read on....
RESOURCE BOX
Iris Ford is the author of several books published off-line. You will find her newest ebook SPIRITUAL MUFFINS: Food for Life's Journey at: http://www.spiritualmuffins.com . ENJOY!!
