Posts Tagged communication
Writing for the Web
Posted by Mary in communication on December 29th, 2009
I recently attended a ‘writing for the web’ presentation where the subject of how to write for a web audience was covered. It was a fascinating hour of learning how users read online, how to structure content in order to keep the highest level of users engaged, and points to consider while writing content for the online reader.
I was interested to learn that the online reader
- skims content
- reads 25% slower on screens than on paper
- reads in an inverted N pattern
Therefore, a smart Web copwriter will
- write in short, easy to understand sentences and words
- use plenty of bullets and ordered lists
- write content that a fifth grader could read and understand
I love learning new things about the web, communication, and how users interract online. Next time, I’ll delve into how to discover if your website is easy to read and understand, and how making a few small changes in how you write could greatly increase the impact of your website online.
Points to Ponder While Gmail is Down
Posted by Mary in communication on September 24th, 2009
Google’s email service is currently down, and boy, it feels like detox! I have two Google email accounts – one for business and the other for… business. The Google enforced ‘rest’ that I am compelled to take gives me some time to sit back and think about how dependent we are on technology, and wonder whether it’s gotten out of hand.
Let’s do a count. I have:
1) 4 email accounts: 2 Google, 1 Yahoo, 1 corporate
2) 3 blogs: my own, and 2 for clients
3) 1 phone with 3 unheard voicemails: should I mention that I also use the phone to check my 4 email accounts and manage my 3 blogs?
4) Two computers: My desktop and my laptop. My laptop is a permanent fixture in the passenger seat of my car
Is it too much? Probably, but which one of the above can I get rid of? It seems like the more connected we become, the less CONNECTED we become.
Just food for thought while my gmail is down…
Hacked! And Other Ramblings
Posted by Mary in communication on September 5th, 2009
It’s been a couple of weeks since I last blogged – and I can’t believe how quickly time flies! You may have noticed that the blog was down for a couple of days, and some of you had the pleasure of viewing a message from Mohammad. It seems that some malcontents from Morocco decided to hack into my server and post a video message decrying Western civilization (or something like that, I really didn’t watch or listen). I was disappointed to see that my hackers were from Morocco, because it’s a country I have visited and loved. Last summer, I spent a couple of weeks in Casablanca (or Casa, as its affectionately called by its residents) and loved the place, the people, the culture and the food! But I digress…
I often comment about the power of the Internet to communicate strong, compelling messages. In this case, that power was misused – and the communication lost on me! I wonder if the group who hacked into my servers and posted their message thought for a moment whether they would be successful in whatever their purpose was.
See, that’s the whole issue – communication is all about relating a message to another person in a way that s/he understands. If s/he doesn’t get it, you’re attempt to communicate has failed. What the Moroccan morons (seemingly) failed to understand is that breaking and entering into my domain, stealing what’s mine, and then trying to get me to listen to their message was not going to work. They may have had a very valid point to communicate, something that I may have – in another time and circumstance – listened to. But their methods were distastful, and therefore the message was lost on me.
Which brings me to my final point: While millions of dollars are spent on therapists’ couches, in Human Resources offices, and in “ginormous” advertising and marketing campaigns – it seems that the ability to effectively communicate is an art form that few have mastered. It makes me wonder what the secret to great communication is.
Could it be as simple as really understanding WHO the other person is, and communicating in a way that is meaningful to him?
Follow Me