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    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
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      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
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​Writing for the Web

In order to write for the web you first need to understand how people read the web.

Contents:
  • How people read the web
  • How to structure text
  • How to write the text
  • How Google rates the content you create
People don't read the web in the same way as they read a book.
  • People have a strong tendency to scan. 
  • Signals are important. Wording of headlines and sub-heads is crucial
  • Short one sentence paragraphs highlight a point well. In contrast, long paragraphs and/or long sentences can be left unread.
  • Lists and bullet points can be easier to read than longer paragraphs making the same points
  • Bold can highlight key points.
  • Simple words are better than long words.
  • Font size and spacing is important. Too small a font and lines which are too crowded mean people stop reading.
  • White space is critical - you need to provide respite from reading
RECOMMENDED: A number of the references on this page are to Jakob Neilsen's research and publications on Writing for the Web which iI consider to be one of the best sources of good advice about designing websites and writing for the web that I know on the internet. 

What I've tried to do it fillet and organise some of his best posts to provide a sampler of what is on offer - and they points people need to be aware of.  BUT do read the originals too!
Other references include professional and formal advice for people writing for major websites such as the BBC and the UK government website.

How people read the web

NEVER assume people are going to read everything you have to say.

People scan - they do NOT read every word. They also scan a page in a particular way - this should influence where your content goes

The trick with writing for the web is
all about working out how to get people to read more
  • how to make it reader-friendly 
  • how to say it in fewer words 
  • how to guide them to what they want to read
People rarely read online — they’re far more likely to scan than read word for word. 

​How People Read Online: New and Old Findings | NN Group

Position on the Page
​

This section is about how people read the web and why position on the page matters. 
  • people often read the headline...
  • ...and then track down the left hand side of the page 
  • content positioned on the right gets less attention 

Reference: I learned a lot about evidence-based writing from Jacob Neilsen's useit.com website - now located on the website for the Neilsen Norman Group.
  • Writing for the Web | Neilson Group - an Index of articles resulting from several research projects and eyetracking studies about
    • how users read on the Web and
    • how authors should write their websites.
  • UX Writing: Study Guide - a selection of the top articles and videos which help people learn how to write and present information that aligns with users’ needs and online reading behaviors.
  • How People Read Online: New and Old Findings | Neilsen Group - How online reading behaviors have changed (or not) over the years
  • F-Shaped Pattern of Reading on the Web: Misunderstood, But Still Relevant - Eyetracking visualizations show that users often read Web pages in an F-shaped pattern: two horizontal stripes followed by a vertical stripe.
  • Reading on the Web (Alertbox) - Users don't read Web pages, they scan. Highlighting and concise writing improved measured usability 47-58%. Users detested "marketese"; the promotional writing style with boastful subjective claims ("hottest ever")

Straplines and Taglines
​

This is the hook to keep people reading when they scan a site.
a short, easily remembered phrase used by an organization so that people will recognize it or its products
Cambridge Business English Dictionary
A Strapline or tagline is memorable. It explains what you are marketing in a few words. It sums up how you want to be remembered as an artist. You usually find it on the landing page or first major page.

For example - I have a website about botanical art. The strapline is "Resources About Botanical Art and For Botanical Artists" - click the link to see how it is used and positioned on the page. The italics are important.
  • Tagline Blues: What's the Site About? (Alertbox July 2001) This article is about companies - but you can transpose the messages into a test for an artist's website. It focuses on the tagline used for a website - which should identify what an artist does and what makes this artist unique when compared to others.
Tagline, tag line, and tag are American terms. In the U.K. they are called end lines, endlines, or straplines. In Belgium they are called baselines. In France they are signatures. In Germany they are claims. In the Netherlands and Italy, they are pay offs or pay-offs.
Wikipedia

How to structure text
​

Titles and headlines make the difference between a site or page getting traffic or not.

Titles and Headlines
​

“On the average, five times as many people read the headlines as read the body copy.”

“Unless your headline sells your product, you have wasted 90 percent of your money…”

"The purpose of a title is to get potential readers to read the first line of your content."

David Ogilvy

​Reference:
  • Techie: 9 Reasons Why the Title is Important | Making A Mark - The title or headline of an article, blog post or advert is the main reason why a lot of people read what else you have to say
  • Microcontent: Headlines and Subject Lines | Alertbox - Online headlines must be absolutely clear when taken out of context. They should be written in plain language (no puns or clever headlines). 5 additional guidelines + examples of bad microcontent.

Narrative and paragraphs

  • Break Grammar Rules on Websites for Clarity | Alertbox - The fact people scan text on web pages means web writing should be different from print writing. Some grammar rules are worth breaking if they improve fast comprehension

Font size and legibility
​

People sometimes forget that in order for people to able to read your text fast it had to be legible.

Things to think about:
  • Is the font size big enough? Can you read text easily on a mobile device if you leave the zoom function untouched? 
  • Does the font make it easier or more difficult to read text? People like the design aspects of some fonts and completely forget about the functionality ie can people read the font quickly and easily.
  • Is there good contrast between the font colour and the background colour? For people whose eyesight is less than perfect this can be a key factor in whether or not they try to read your sight. (Personally I refuse to try and read anything which is white text on a black background unless the font is large and lines are well space)
  • Is the line spacing give the text room to breathe? Lines of text which are too close together make it much more difficult to read text

Colour for titles and links

Colour can be used constructively to help people scan a page. It's a lot easier to scan the pages on this website because the headings and sub-headings are picked out using colour.


How to write the text
​

Viewers respond well to
  • language they understand. Keep it simple - use words they use.   Always write text (copy) with the visitor you are targeting in mind.  One useful way of doing this is to think of them as "people like me". Write what you'd like to read and you will convery who you are and how easy it is to converse with you. It's much easier to approach somebody re. a purchase or a commission if you think they're not unlike you.
  • simple explanations of what they can find on the site and where - words used in menus, tabs, titles and links are critical to keeping the visitor moving around the website
  • text they can scan quickly and easily.  Avoid long paragraphs and long words.  Give them a summary of what they can read about on the page at the top of the page. 

Standard features of a Landing Page include:
  • Offer - how this website can provide a benefit to the viewer; what's 'on offer' - what benefits are available to fulfil specific needs (eg commission artwork of a specific type)
  • Contact Link - leading to a contact form, where your visitor can contact you direct - plus a thank you message which takes the visitor back to the website proper
  • Calls to Action - what the visitor can do while on your website

Words that convert

  • Simple Tips for Writing Landing Page Copy that Converts - Learn about how to write landing page copy that converts interest into action

Vocabulary

  • Use Old Words When Writing for Findability - Familiar words spring to mind when users create their search queries. If your writing favors made-up terms over legacy words, users won't find your site.
  • Cringeworthy Words to Cut from Online Copy | NN/g - The right words can make or break trust; they affect your tone of voice and how people perceive your site.
Reference: 
  • Writing for the Web |usability.gov - How to Write User-Friendly Content. Use the words your users use. Chunk your content. Front-load the important information. Use pronouns. Use active voice. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Use bullets and numbered lists. Use clear headlines and subheads.
  • Writing for the web | BBC Journalism Academy - When writing for the web, tell the story upfront. For it to work across all possible platforms and devices, it needs to be told in essence in the first four paragraphs
  • Writing for gov.uk - all about writing for government and your audience - but the basic lessons and principles are the same for everybody. 

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ABOUT ART BUSINESS INFO. FOR ARTISTS
This website aims to provide a compendium of resources about the art business for artists. Please read "PLEASE NOTE"

It helps artists learn how to do better at being business-like, marketing and selling their art and looking after their financial security.
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  • CONTACT ME
Copyright: 2015-2021 Katherine Tyrrell | Making A Mark Publications
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If you've got any suggestions for what you'd like to see on this website please send me your suggestion
PLEASE NOTE:
1) Content and the law change all the time. It's impossible to keep up with it if you're not working on the topic full time. 
​2) I research topics carefully. However, I am totally unable to warrant that 
ANY and/or ALL information is 
  • complete and/or
  • professional and/or
  • wholly accurate and/or 
  • all links lead to the most current information (at the time of writing)​
​3) Hence all information I provide comes without any LIABILITY whatsoever to you for any choices you make. 
4) This website is FREE FOR YOU but not for me. ​Links to books are Amazon Affiliate links. Buying a book via this website means I get a very small payment which helps to fund and maintain this website. .I much appreciate any support your provide. Adverts are provided by Google AdSense - but the adverts do not mean I endorse the advertiser.
  • Home
    • Art Business Information Index
  • NEWS
  • PRACTICE
    • Starting Out - Tips
    • Being a Professional artist >
      • Working Lives of Professional Artists
      • Artists' Side Hustles
      • Artists' Residencies
      • Artists Unions
    • Best Art Business Books
    • Learning Opportunities >
      • Art Schools in the UK
      • Art Business Courses
    • Image Management for Artists >
      • How to photograph art
      • How To Scan Artwork
      • How to back up image files
    • Law for Artists >
      • Legal Matters
      • Data Protection for Art and Artists
      • Brexit Guidance for Art and Artists
    • Business Management for Artists >
      • Risk Management for Artists
      • How to spot Art Scams / Fraud
      • Life in an Art Market Recession
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 and Art
  • MARKETING
    • How to write an Artist's Statement >
      • What is an Artist Statement?
      • Why you need an Artist's Statement
      • TIPS How to write an artist statement
      • The Language of an Artist's Statement
      • What an artist statement should contain
      • Examples of Artists Statements
    • How to write an Artist's Resume or CV >
      • Social Media summaries
      • CV for Artists
      • Resume for Artists
      • Biography for Artists
    • How to sign a painting, drawing or fine art print
    • Business Cards for Artists
    • How to write a press release for an artist
    • The Private View Invitation
    • Publicity for Juried Exhibitions
    • Websites for Artists >
      • Why websites matter
      • Options for Websites
      • Web content for Artists
      • Web design for artists
      • Keeping Google Happy
      • Writing for the Web
    • Image & Video sizes for Social Media Sites
    • How to be mobile-friendly
  • SELL ART
    • Trading Law & Regulations for Artists (UK)
    • E-commerce for artists
    • Art Exhibitions & Competitions >
      • Juried Exhibitions & Art Competitions
      • Juried Art Exhibition Checklist for Artists
      • How to cost a juried exhibition entry
      • How to make labels for an art exhibition
    • A Guide to Art Agents and Consultants
    • A Guide to Art Dealers & Galleries >
      • How to find the right gallery
    • The Artist-run Gallery
    • The Vanity Gallery
    • Art Fairs
    • Alternative Options for Exhibitions
    • How to Sell Art from Home
    • Open Studios
  • FRAME ART
    • List of Recommended Picture Framers
    • Conservation Products
    • Framing for open exhibitions and art competitions
    • Framing Videos
    • How to hang a picture
  • SHIP ART
    • How to pack artwork >
      • How to pack and ship pastel paintings
    • Packaging materials
    • How to ship art internationally >
      • Rules of Origin
      • Export Licences for Cultural Goods
    • How to ship art to exhibitions
    • How to mail art - Post & Parcel Services
    • UK & Ireland: Art Transport Services
    • USA Art Transport Services
  • COPYRIGHT
    • Copyright and artists' rights
    • BASICS: Copyright Infringement and Fair Use
    • How to protect artwork online
    • How to do a reverse image search
    • What to do about copyright infringement - for artists
    • Global Conventions on copyright >
      • Copyright in the UK
      • Copyright in the USA
      • Copyright in Canada
      • Copyright in Australia
  • MONEY & TAX
    • How to work out profit from an art sale
    • How to Price Your Art >
      • How important is price when buying art?
      • Options for Pricing Art
      • Terminology and Formulas for Pricing Art
      • Art Experts on Pricing Art
      • How artists price their art
      • The price of affordable art
    • Payments to Artists >
      • Paying Artists
      • How to create an Invoice
    • VAT for Artists
    • Tax Tips for Artists >
      • Tax on prize money
      • UK Tax Tips for Artists
      • UK: Self-Assessment Video Tips
      • USA Tax Tips for Artists
      • Ireland: Tax for Artists
      • Australia: Tax Tips for Artists
    • Insurance for Art and Artists >
      • Insurance for Art Teachers
      • UK Insurance Policies for art and artists
      • USA & Canada: Insurance Policies for Art and Artists
    • Artists' Grants & Scholarships
    • Retirement and Pensions for Artists
    • The Art Legacy >
      • Estate Planning for Artists
      • Estate Planning for Art Collectors
      • Famous Artists Estates
      • Artwork Inventory
      • After the Death of an Artist
      • Copyright and Resale Rights after Death
      • Art and Inheritance Tax
  • About + Help
    • Would you like me to help?
    • Privacy & Cookies Policy
    • Contact