Discussion Board for Content Writers

[yjs]

I haven't seen a discussion board for Conent Writers dealing with content related issues. I reckon Content is one of the most (if not the most) integral element of E-Comm domain.

I hope we see it soon...

[Faglork]

I second that ...

[yjs]

Must I say it again????? We need a discussion board for content related issues. Mike will you please listen...........

[roam_dx]

Sorry, but what are content related issues?

I understand that its an important part of website dev, but other than keyword optimization (which is discussed on the SEO forum already), what issues do you see being discussed on this forum?

[Faglork]

Originally Posted by roam_dx

Sorry, but what are content related issues?

I understand that its an important part of website dev, but other than keyword optimization (which is discussed on the SEO forum already), what issues do you see being discussed on this forum?

"website dev" ... LOL ... you seem to have some misconception.

"Content" is what a site is *about*. Without content, you would not even have a website. Content is what counts once the visitor has arrived on the site. Content is text, photos, graphics etc. However, we do not want to talk about HOW this is made or generated (programs, techniques etc., there are other forum that cover this) but about the content ITSELF, its inner structure (semantics etc.), the meaning it conveys, the best ways to present it etc. etc. etc. For starters: an introduction into "Writing for the Web" can be found at
http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/

You can even dive into the issue of micro-content, meaning the logic behind headlines or anchor texts or subheadings. An introduction to this topic can be found at
"Microcontent: Headlines and Subject Lines"
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/980906.html
and a very good example for discussion:
"Confirmation Email, Automated Customer Service Email, and Transactional Messages"
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20031208.html

Let me add a "real life example": I am the editor of an online newspaper, and I have to construct headlines for the articles. Now there is a huge difference between an "online" headline and a printed media headline. Printed media headlines are often rather cutesy, witty, even cryptic - simply to draw attention. In a subheading you often find a sort of condensed explanation what the article is about. Like:
Headline: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"
Subheading: "The emergence of the european telco companies"

Now, on the web, this won't work.

Why? Simply because the HEADLINE of an article has to say it all. Why? Because this headline is all what a user of your RSS feed will see. And if it does not tell him what to expect, he will most likely not click it. So you need to construct an entirely different headline. How do you do this? What is the best length? What is the best length with regard to RSS? Where to find best-practise-examples?

This is a question of micro-content. And: There is no forum to discuss this.

[...]other than keyword optimization (which is discussed on the SEO forum already), what issues do you see being discussed on this forum?

I have said this more than one time: This dicussion board is named "Web Pro World" and not "Web SEO World". If you look at a website only from an SEO perspective, you are missing a lot. ROI does not come from SEO alone, in fact, SEO can even severely hamper ROI. So it is time to get the big picture, don't you think?

faglork

[roam_dx]

faglork, website dev was a term, somewhat generic, wrongly used, i agree.

Im not very big on the SEO thing, I do it, but as a necessity. Thanks for that tutorial, its a lot of good tips.

We were talking about a "content writers forum". that's was vague, and I didn't really get what he meant.

Great, so lets have that forum, im sure ill learn something new.

Peace

[Faglork]

I also think a forum for content writers (although maybe "content producers" would be more broad, since pictures etc. are content, too. Maybe "content and communication" would be an appropriate name) is needed for a better balance. Most discussions center about SEO or programming or software usage - things you have to do when your content/your message/your whatever is already existing.

The point is: What exactly is my message? How do I translate that into content? What do I want to achieve with my site? How do I express this? And for whom? These questions have to be answered BEFORE anything else is done. SEO, Design, etc. come AFTER that.

Indeed, this most basic questions need a forum to be discussed.

faglork

[yjs]

Sorry there. I was out of the picture.

For me - Faglork has said it all. So I must not say those things (content related issues) again. But we have a need for a forum where people can discuss questions/queries regarding content on website. Now, how important is content for website promotion is another thing. The thing is how content should be written/re-written/re-shuffled/revamped so that it appeals to both - Visitors and Search Engine.

People in the business would knew it well. I hope we have a platform on WebProWorld (like in Webmasterworld.com) where there is flock of members discussing content, content copywriting, writing techniques for better results.

I am sure "roam_dx" & "faglork" would agree with me.

Ciao

[mike]

I like this idea quite a lot and I will add a new forum for this soon.

Anybody wanna mod it?

[Faglork]

Originally Posted by Mike

I like this idea quite a lot and I will add a new forum for this soon.

Anybody wanna mod it?

If yjs won't do it, count me in.

yjs?

faglork

[mike]

Ok, I'm sold. Let me get back into the office (I'm still at SES in Chicago) and we'll get this rolling next week.


-mm

[JKomp]

If you need a mod for it I would be up for it, as a lot of the web development work I do these days is content development - press releases, articles and product reviews mainly.

No worries if not.

[Faglork]

Wow. It is booming right from the start. Think we hit the nail with this one - thanks yjs for suggesting this.

faglork