Writing for Print vs. Web

It's not enough to simply add a few links to a print article and call it a day. Online writing requires a different mindset and a different approach. Here are a few of the major differences.

Length: Since online publishers don’t have to pay for printing, you would think that web-only articles would be longer than those in traditional media. But usually they’re shorter, because most people don’t have the time or inclination to read a 5,000 word masterpiece on their computer monitor. Most of my online articles are 500-800 words, but I often write 1,200-1,500 words for print. Sentences and paragraphs for the web must also be short so that readers can scan.

Turnaround time: Print publications can take a long time to put together (most glossy magazines plan at least six months in advance). Not so with online publications. If you’re writing on a blog, you can publish things instantly. If you’re writing for a website, you’ll sometimes see your article published within a week or sooner after you send it to your editor. Instant writing clips!

Format: Even when you have a long article online (say, on Salon.com or Bankrate.com), it will almost always get broken into small bite-sized portions on multiple webpages. That way, readers with short attention spans won’t get overwhelmed by a huge block of text (like those deceptively short lines at Disneyland). Many websites and magazines use sub-headings to break up their articles. Lists, bullet points, or bolding key phrases are other favorite strategies. I would not underline text unless it’s a link, because that could confuse readers.

Titles: A title that includes carefully chosen keywords helps users find relevant content and boosts search engine rankings. For instance, a headline for a print article might use a pun (for instance, Exercising Self-Discipline appeared in The Boston Globe in January, 2008), but online titles tend to be more literal. That same article appeared on the writer’s blog as 5 Ways to Meet a Very Big Goal. Online readers (and women’s magazine editors) like lists because they’re organized and easy to read. Search engines and social bookmarking sites like them, too.

Multi-media: Magazines can illustrate their articles with photography or graphics, but websites often include interactive quizzes, slide shows, podcasts, web links, videos, forums, and countless other features. Generally, you don’t need to be a tech wizard, but understanding each of these items is helpful.

Any other differences you've noticed? Do you prefer writing for print or the web?