1/12/2009
Announcing! "How to Write a Web Site" Group Project
Fellow blogger and copywriting Karen Swim and I noticed something important not long ago – small businesses are under served when it comes to creating content for their Web sites.
Karen and I think small business owners need help. You can have the greatest programmer in the world, and the most eye catching design, but in the end, it still boils down to what words go where.
At first Karen and I thought about writing a book. But then we thought, hey, we know a whole group of experts whose collective wisdom far, far, exceeds ours.
Who is this group of content wizards? You!
So we’ve decided to make How to Write a Web Site a group writing project. I’ll post on a given topic, and ask for your ideas in comments. Karen and I think that between Words for Hire and Word Sell readers, along with new readers, we can put together a book or an e-book that could serve as a phenomenal resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners who struggle to put together Web sites that work.
And we think you’ll agree, Web sites that work are a necessity. A small business without a strong Web presence is in big trouble. But you’ll also agree that there’s no magic formula. Content that makes sense for one business may make little sense for another. That’s one reason Karen and I think a group project is the way to go. As a group, we can present readers with all sorts of ideas and options, all under one roof, and create a book with value for everyone.
So what do you say? Good idea? Can we count on your participation? Suggestions?
As the project takes form, we’ll work together to determine the editing process, best format, and other such issues. In the meantime, start thinking about what makes for a “prose perfect” Home Page …
(Updated April 2009)
See all chapters in process … and contribute!
Do you have a tip for business website content?
Get Your How to Write a Website Project Badge!
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40 Responses to Announcing! "How to Write a Web Site" Group Project
Time-permitting (as ever) I’d certainly be interested.
I work full-time as a copywriter for a top UK design company, so this is well within my remit!
Iain Broomes last blog post..Embrace your writing community, but don’t be scared to say ‘no’!
My company is theWorkshop, for info.
Iain Broomes last blog post..Embrace your writing community, but don’t be scared to say ‘no’!
Hi Iain, That’s great – thank you! Naturally we won’t ask anyone for more time than they can comfortably give.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Announcing! “How to Write a Web Site” Group Project
You can always count on me to provide advice on something I know little about!
Hey, this sounds like a great project, y’all!
Hi Robert, if you read websites critically, you probably have great input.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Announcing! “How to Write a Web Site” Group Project
Brad, Karen, great project! I’ll chip in what I can, of course.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Audacious Writing Goals for 2009
Brad, thanks for posting this and I’m excited with the responses so far. I hope others will chime in as well from a website user perspective. I find that often what is a beautiful design is not very functional for the user. We want to present comprehensive advice so the voice of the customer is desperately needed.
Karen Swims last blog post..Five in the Morning
Joanna, thank you so much. We know how busy you are!
Karen, I had not thought much about the user perspective until Robert’s comment, so our collective approach is bearing fruit already!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Announcing! “How to Write a Web Site” Group Project
Wow! This sounds just up my street!
I’ve been concentrating on writing websites for small businesses for the past several years, and I know there’s a real need for something like this.
So, please count me in!
@Karen
You’re so right, Karen! The user’s perspective is vital. Websites have to give visitors what they’re looking for and make it easy to find. Or they’ll be off looking elsewhere.
Jane, Thank you for your participation! Your enthusiasm made my day!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Announcing! “How to Write a Web Site” Group Project
Great project! In my free time I am helping a friend of mine who is the leader of an Irish folk band with his website. Does this count as a small business? I’d love to throw my 2 cents in whenever it is helpful.
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..No Ferry today!
Ulla, Please do! Your ideas are always welcome.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Announcing! “How to Write a Web Site” Group Project
i don’t know how to read and can barely write, but i might be able to submit a word or two for the project. and i mean that literally.
; )
George Ajazis last blog post..A Beef Wellington Christmas
Fantastic idea and, by all means, if I have anything to contribute, I’ll be happy to!
–Debs last blog post..Blogapalooza
George, Deb – Look forward to your contributions, long or short.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Get More Blog Traffic with Adgitize – Guest Post by Ken Brown
I’ll help.
gl hoffmans last blog post..What Seth Just Said (About Beauty)
Thanks GL! Very glad to hear it.
I say make an outline somewhere in a Google Doc or at the SOBCon wiki, or even just post it here, and get suggestions.
Great idea, Karen and Brad. I’m in too.
Easton Ellsworths last blog post..Should You Add Facebook Connect to Your Business Blog?
Thanks, Easton. Your participation is greatly appreciated. I’ll talk to Karen about the wiki … that might make sense. Our original plan was to post and collect comments, but we’re not set on anything yet.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Get More Blog Traffic with Adgitize – Guest Post by Ken Brown
I’m with Robert, and will always gladly provide my opinions on something I know nothing about.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to participate for a little while, as I am leaving for a brief trip to Hong Kong and Thailand on Saturday. But I love to participate if I have a chance upon my return.
Andrews last blog post..Employee rights and responsibilities part 8 – No one should be held in slavery
Andrew, enjoy your trip! I am very excited you are interested in contributing. Your perspective is always insightful.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..To Write Persuasively, Know Your Customer’s Mind
I’ll chip in too when the posts start arriving. Could you signal them in the title – e.g. [gwp] – so that they’re easy to recognize in a feed reader?
Jacob Share from Group Writing Projectss last blog post..What is Twitter Really? Why So Many People Don’t Get It
Thanks, Jacob. Great suggestion – I will definitely do that.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..To Write Persuasively, Know Your Customer’s Mind
This is an excellent idea, and I look forward to contributing in any way necessary! Looking forward to answering your questions!!
Erica DeWolfs last blog post..CRM- It’s the Little Things that Bring Customers Back
Erica, Glad you will be contributing! You have much to offer on this topic.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..B2B Sales and the Problem of Pain
This sounds like such a cool project! So many small business websites are focused on design, with little thought for the writing. Great storytelling, layering of information, building relationships all play a part in connecting with customers.
I want in on this project!
Becky McCrays last blog post..Dial2Do lets you call in emails or text messages
Becky, Glad to hear you’re excited about this! I look forward to your contributions.
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Plan to monitor progress on the project you and Karen Swim have put together. As you likely know, am not a blogger by profession – or even avocation at this point! Nonetheless, won’t let that constrain me if I have something to offer. Having fun in the early stages of retirement following a handful of diverse blogs to get a feel for what is being shared on the web.
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Brad,
The badge links to this page but it does not tell me how to get a badge of my own, and more importantly, this post does not (as far as I can tell) link to the posts that make-up this project.
Btw, I like your new design. I recently added a little yellow to my blog too. I usually read your blog in Google Reader and have not commented in a while (head hung in shame), so I am just now getting a chance to see and comment on it.
Hi Luke, Thanks for the feedback – this page needs updating. I’ll get on it.
Glad you like the new design. I’m concerned it might be a little too busy, but otherwise I’m real happy with it.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Thank You, Word Sell Commenters
I think an extra 10px of white margin above each yellow header “h2″ in the widgets would be an easy way to make it look less busy. You will want to make sure you add the space to the “h2″ not just add a gap between widgets, because a few of the spots where you need white-space the most are above the second yellow header of a widget.
That won’t work for the front page though. There you also could move some of the sidebar content to the bottom and add a little space between columns. Plus, some sidebar items are not needed on the front page at all.