Recently, I was reviewing a website and came across a page geared toward international students. Reading the copy, I realized English would not be the first language for the target audience. Immediately, I felt my brain shift into a different gear. Beyond assessing the value of the content, I began closely scrutinizing diction and syntax. How many syllables in this word? … [Read more...] about Respect Your Audience With Readable Content
web writing
Be Yourself: Embrace Authentic Content
In a recent post, Rob Engelsman talked about using students to create “authentic content” through social media. Indeed, this can be one of the greatest benefits of social media content. It's often raw and unfiltered (or less filtered). It's “authentic.” However, authentic content is not reserved for social media. In fact, all content should be authentic. But why is … [Read more...] about Be Yourself: Embrace Authentic Content
Content Worksheets for Editorial Workflow
For web professionals in higher ed, keeping content up to date is an uphill battle. Regardless of the size of your institution, as a content professional you still have to deal with numerous subject matter experts, content contributors, editors, approvers, and publishers. Content has a shelf life, and without processes for maintaining it, it can quickly become ROT. Editorial … [Read more...] about Content Worksheets for Editorial Workflow
Content With Purpose: Ready, Set, Action!
What defines quality content? Does it communicate clearly? Does it attract new users? Does it engage current users? It can and should do all those things, but to what end? Ultimately, content should inspire action. On Meet Content, we talk a lot about purposeful content — goal-driven content for users and publishers alike. I think that's an idea most people can buy into. … [Read more...] about Content With Purpose: Ready, Set, Action!
Going Long: The Role of Longform Web Content
With 140-character tweets and short, scannable web copy often top of mind, it can be difficult to think of a situation where we would willingly want to publish thousands of words. But longform content is carving out a significant niche in the habits of online content consumers, as evidenced by trends in journalism and ebook publishing. In higher ed, there are opportunities … [Read more...] about Going Long: The Role of Longform Web Content