Comments on: The state of copywriting and the web http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/ Good Copywriting Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:56:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Duncan Robertson http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-28 Duncan Robertson Sat, 22 Apr 2006 12:41:29 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-28 <p>I’ve written TTL copy for a few years and I also found that there certainly is a certain lack of creative flair when it comes to web copy. And, when you try doing something copy driven on the web client usually backs down. </p> <p>When was the last time you visited a site and felt inspired by words online? </p> <p>Maybe it’s due to the misconception that copy is just not as important as design on the internet. </p> <p>The biggest problem is that client usually provides a 40 page word document with a note reading:</p> <p>“here is the basic info, please just chack spelling and grammer etc...i did it in a rush so is prob very messy”</p> <p>Who has time in the development timeline to proof and rewrite all copy? It’s just not economical or practical for anyone. Web developers and agencies should take control of the creative development of copy in the same way as they would with an ATL account.</p> <p>Sure the price will increase, but so too will creativity.</p> <p>It’s about time that a groundswell of creative and interesting copy starts getting on the net. I’m going to start Monday morning.</p> I’ve written TTL copy for a few years and I also found that there certainly is a certain lack of creative flair when it comes to web copy. And, when you try doing something copy driven on the web client usually backs down.

When was the last time you visited a site and felt inspired by words online?

Maybe it’s due to the misconception that copy is just not as important as design on the internet.

The biggest problem is that client usually provides a 40 page word document with a note reading:

“here is the basic info, please just chack spelling and grammer etc…i did it in a rush so is prob very messy”

Who has time in the development timeline to proof and rewrite all copy? It’s just not economical or practical for anyone. Web developers and agencies should take control of the creative development of copy in the same way as they would with an ATL account.

Sure the price will increase, but so too will creativity.

It’s about time that a groundswell of creative and interesting copy starts getting on the net. I’m going to start Monday morning.

]]> By: owen http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-26 owen Wed, 08 Mar 2006 11:14:59 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-26 <p>For some really bad writing check out http://busterlangs.com (Just switched to Hemingway theme, so post type layouts are a bit sloppy.) But the writing still is badly.</p> For some really bad writing check out http://busterlangs.com
(Just switched to Hemingway theme, so post type layouts are a bit sloppy.) But the writing still is badly.

]]> By: syd http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-25 syd Tue, 14 Feb 2006 01:28:47 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-25 <p>I write for a large corporate company, we follow a style guide based on AP style with some deviation for specific corporate guidelines. It becomes a challenge to keep the copy fresh, interesting and pertinent--while still short for web readers. Much of my job is educating subject matter experts in providing terse information that provides the most impact, rather than fluff or long-winded paragraphs repeating the same thing over and again. I've become an information wrangler, a copy-editor and a copy-writer all in one. </p> <p>Intersting blog. Keep up the good dialog.</p> I write for a large corporate company, we follow a style guide based on AP style with some deviation for specific corporate guidelines. It becomes a challenge to keep the copy fresh, interesting and pertinent–while still short for web readers. Much of my job is educating subject matter experts in providing terse information that provides the most impact, rather than fluff or long-winded paragraphs repeating the same thing over and again. I’ve become an information wrangler, a copy-editor and a copy-writer all in one.

Intersting blog. Keep up the good dialog.

]]> By: More on Web Content at Transformatum http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-24 More on Web Content at Transformatum Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:55:39 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-24 <p>[...] My pre-dinner surfing took me to Good Copywriting, where Kyle Neath says what I alluded to here in a more detailed and relevant manner. [...] </p> [...] My pre-dinner surfing took me to Good Copywriting, where Kyle Neath says what I alluded to here in a more detailed and relevant manner. [...]

]]> By: Candy, by AkaXakA » Journal Archive » Blah blah blah: It’s the content silly! http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-23 Candy, by AkaXakA » Journal Archive » Blah blah blah: It’s the content silly! Mon, 23 Jan 2006 15:15:42 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-23 <p>[...] Yet rarely do they execute on their proclamations. It’s sad for me to see this, because they all seem to know what they should be doing, but rarely do they actually do what they should be doing. ~ source: goodcopywriting.com found (unsurprisingly) via Kyle of Warpspire (as Kyle is guy who’s behind both sites). [...] </p> [...] Yet rarely do they execute on their proclamations. It’s sad for me to see this, because they all seem to know what they should be doing, but rarely do they actually do what they should be doing. ~ source: goodcopywriting.com found (unsurprisingly) via Kyle of Warpspire (as Kyle is guy who’s behind both sites). [...]

]]> By: Kyle http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-22 Kyle Sat, 21 Jan 2006 19:45:40 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-22 <p>Dylan,</p> <p>I think there's a large gap here, to be perfectly honest. I've read some great books about copywriting. And some great studies on how people read on the web. But I haven't yet found a resource that combines the two.</p> <p>Hopefully with this site I'll be able to delve into that a little more detailed :)</p> Dylan,

I think there’s a large gap here, to be perfectly honest. I’ve read some great books about copywriting. And some great studies on how people read on the web. But I haven’t yet found a resource that combines the two.

Hopefully with this site I’ll be able to delve into that a little more detailed :)

]]> By: Dylan http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-21 Dylan Sat, 21 Jan 2006 19:36:44 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-21 <p>You have some very interesting ideas here. I wonder, does anyone know, is there a good styleguide out there for web writing? I can find all sorts of resources about how to write good <em>code</em>, or how to make an effective <em>presentation</em>. Even though there is all the cahnting you mentioned about content being king, I can't seem to find a useful style guide anywhere. I wonder if there is a book like "The Elements of Style" for the web.</p> You have some very interesting ideas here. I wonder, does anyone know, is there a good styleguide out there for web writing? I can find all sorts of resources about how to write good code, or how to make an effective presentation. Even though there is all the cahnting you mentioned about content being king, I can’t seem to find a useful style guide anywhere. I wonder if there is a book like “The Elements of Style” for the web.

]]> By: kartooner http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-20 kartooner Sat, 21 Jan 2006 05:32:00 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-20 <p>I've done some copywriting for several companies and online services to boot and while it seems challenging to actually simplify language to the point where long-winded introductory text becomes more streamlined and to the point, it actually isn't.</p> <p>That said, I'm not entirely convinced by those who suggest that the writer, or copywriter for example, should write at a 5th grade level. For one, there are a lot of intelligent people out there who can appreciate smart writing, writing that allows the reader to actually think about the words they are currently digesting. </p> <p>Not only that but the mishmash of technical jarble (which is comparable to legalese in most cases) that exists on most sites today is just flat out boring to read, as you pointed out. In most instances it doesn't really explain the function or purpose of the service or company, instead focusing on, hey look, we own a thesaurus!</p> <p>I completely agree with you on this and applaud you for bringing it up (I had meant to) and believe, like you, that a new take on copywriting has begun. It's here and it's starting to spread, but instead of like wildfire, for the time being it's more like a constant flicker that's growing everyday.</p> I’ve done some copywriting for several companies and online services to boot and while it seems challenging to actually simplify language to the point where long-winded introductory text becomes more streamlined and to the point, it actually isn’t.

That said, I’m not entirely convinced by those who suggest that the writer, or copywriter for example, should write at a 5th grade level. For one, there are a lot of intelligent people out there who can appreciate smart writing, writing that allows the reader to actually think about the words they are currently digesting.

Not only that but the mishmash of technical jarble (which is comparable to legalese in most cases) that exists on most sites today is just flat out boring to read, as you pointed out. In most instances it doesn’t really explain the function or purpose of the service or company, instead focusing on, hey look, we own a thesaurus!

I completely agree with you on this and applaud you for bringing it up (I had meant to) and believe, like you, that a new take on copywriting has begun. It’s here and it’s starting to spread, but instead of like wildfire, for the time being it’s more like a constant flicker that’s growing everyday.

]]> By: Tom http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-19 Tom Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:11:56 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-19 <p>I'm sorry, I haven't read the previous entry. This is embarrassing, now I see what you mean when you say copyrighting... x(</p> I’m sorry, I haven’t read the previous entry. This is embarrassing, now I see what you mean when you say copyrighting… x(

]]> By: Tom http://www.goodcopywriting.com/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-18 Tom Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:10:02 +0000 http://goodcopywriting.dev/general-copywriting/the-state-of-copywriting-and-the-web/#comment-18 <p>Interesting. I've always wondered about what I have to do with copyrighting when it comes to blogs and internet content publishing.</p> <p>Heh, my question is, why do you read these boring websites that are "littered with simple little phrases" and "dull paragraphs," and complain about them?</p> Interesting. I’ve always wondered about what I have to do with copyrighting when it comes to blogs and internet content publishing.

Heh, my question is, why do you read these boring websites that are “littered with simple little phrases” and “dull paragraphs,” and complain about them?

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