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Weaving words for the web
transition to new media look to the future with confidence.
The Internet does not spell the end of the written word but the beginning of fresh opportunities and renewed status for professional writers throughout the world.
Since becoming disillusioned with the world of print journalism at the dawn of the 90s, I have sought new challenges and, following a baptism of fire in the bureaucracy, I pursued short-term freelance work.
Newsletters, media releases, proofreading, editing and copywriting have been my staple diet for three years, and a surprisingly satisfying one at that.
Freelancing also provided time to learn about the new communications medium, which sparked my interest a few years ago when commissioned to write corporate copy for a pioneer web site developer.
As more businesses, individuals and organisations have considered the question of when rather than if they should set up an on-line presence, competition in web site development has intensified.
Gradually, the gulf has widened between sites developed using professionals web content writers, graphic designers, programmers and marketers and sites hastily thrown together on a Saturday afternoon with a do-it-yourself web-authoring package.
The content manager or writer has been the missing link in the web development process until now.
As web design houses wake up to the fact that a successful site needs more than pretty pictures and nifty applets, people with strong communication and organisational skills are in demand.
Just as a desktop publishing package does not transform a writer into a graphic artist, a web-authoring program does not turn a graphic designer, computer programmer or marketer into a wordsmith. We
each have our own talents and should respect the differences.
You dont have to surf far on the web before striking poor writing, bad spelling or just plain offensive copy.
To secure our future and prevent mass bastardisation of the English language, writers must promote their skills now and not be intimidated by the technology.
If you can use a word-processing program, you have enough technological know-how to write for the web. The emphasis is on information not technology.
Writing for the online reader requires more discipline than even journalism. The experts say people between 25% and 40% more slowly on screen as the eyes tire more quickly than on paper.
Web users will not tolerate long-winded prose, unless its for a literary site or on a topic in which they are deeply interested.
Writing for web sites is not simply a matter of rehashing existing print material the web is already clogged with so-called brochureware.
Clean, concise, active, purpose-written copy is essential to the development of this new medium and the web writing profession as a whole.
If you havent yet taken your first dip in cybersurf, head to your local Internet caf or library and take the plunge.
Even if you dont want to weave words for the web, youll have a ball spinning yarns with other writers via chat rooms, newsgroups, web sites and email.
Like it or love it, the futures online.
About the Author Yvette Nielsen writes a popular weekly web site review column for Brisbane News magazine, has developed her own site at http://www.brizcomm.com.au, and conducts web content workshops on how to structure, write and promote sites. Subscribe to her weekly newsletter for free tips and site reviews at http://brizcomm.listbot.com. Email yvette@brizcomm.com.au
