5 tips for more engaging online writing

How concise is your writing?

The average attention span is 8.5 seconds. Online readers are especially impatient, so you have to streamline the text on your home page.

Here are five tips for concise writing:

1. Paragraphs should be two to three lines.

In grade school, you might have learned a paragraph should be three to eight sentences. Although that can be the case, especially in academic writing, it is a rule of thumb, not law.

When writing for your customers, top content specialists recommend you keep paragraphs to two or three lines.

2. Explain one idea at a time.

Readers can read only one word at a time, and they still become sidetracked.

To keep readers’ attention, give them one topic at a time. Even if your business is multifaceted, explain your product or service simply, providing a logical progression that your potential customer can follow easily.

3. Use simple words.

Fluff leaves people scratching their heads. Saying, “If you utilize these principles, you will find success,” sounds fancy and important, but it’s unnecessary.