This guide belongs to 100 Ways To Be Being Remarkable Series, a special project that brings you business and self-development advice from The Success Manual.

Nobody wants to read your shit…they are just too busy.
…Reduce your message to its simplest, clearest, easiest-to-understand form.
- Steven Pressfield

So, you got less than a second to get the reader's attention.

HOW TO WRITE FOR THE WEB
A guide written by the pioneering usability experts Jacob Nielsen and John Morkes famously said this in 1997, 12 years ago. A summary of the article:

Make your writing concise, SCANNABLE, and Objective.
1. Users want to search for things online.
2.They hate waiting.
3. They read from left to write in a 'Z' fashion.
4. Most readers scan over headlines without bothering to read the article.

"... any story can be told in 800 words"
- Roy Peter Clark, senior journalist, Poynter.org

5. Users spend 4.4 seconds for every extra 100 words on a page.
6. Eye tracking visualizations show that users often read Web pages in an F-shaped pattern: two horizontal stripes followed by a vertical stripe.
7.You can use passive voice in headings.
8. Contrary to popular opinion, long articles may work , if they have something of value, are divided into short paragraphs with descriptive paragraph headings and augmented by lists, charts, and photos.
9. Write in an inverted pyramid style: start with the conclusion and put the least important data lowered down.
Start subheads, paragraphs, and bullet points with information-carrying words that users will notice when scanning through your article in a "F" shaped pattern.
10. The first two paragraphs must state the most important information

HOW TO WRITE WELL ONLINE Part 2
Whenever you post anything, ask yourself: "Why will online readers find your item interesting?" So, be on the topic and try not to write the same old story everyone else is writing. Search for duplicates and related stories on Bighow before posting something.

Say it out loud before you write it. Check for a natural delivery.

Seth Godin's advice on online writing: "Are you adding anything new?" "Be clear, be generous, be kind. Can't hurt."

Writing Blog Posts
1. Start with a great headline, a magnetic headline that brings out the essence of your story. Most people will judge your article on your headline alone. There is just so much competition. Don't use any uncommon word in your title. Many users would not bother to search the meaning of a word in the dictionary. Doo not use unnecessary adjectives in your titles unless they bring out the juice of your story.
2. Write in an active voice.
3. Include some relevant graphic or image [check for copyright issues]
4. Divide long stories into short 4-5 lines max. paragraphs. Pithy Para heads will make it more attractive.
5. Be specific and to the point without being verbose - Come to the point from the headline and first two lines of your story onwards.
6. Use Bullets or Lists.
7. Be opinionated - Don't hesitate to put forth your case however outlandish you may think it is, provided it is backed by logical data.
8. Be unique and have a voice - try not to write in a bland manner.
9. Give Data - Support your opinions with relevant examples and data.
10. Be known - Providing your real identity will build credibility and reputation for your work [registering with your real name helps] However, if you want to be anonymous, it is okay.
11. Finally, do not write about a topic about which you do not know much.
12. Unless it is breaking news, do not make your post too short. Try to make your post at least 400 words long.
13. Revise and revise before you post. Double check for mistakes.
14. Write one high quality and well researched article at least once a week to hone your online writing and develop a following.
15. Tag your post intelligently - use keywords that describe the story lucidly and so that readers might discover your articles easily.
16. Omit needless words - "Elements of Style"

Topics
Lists - Most popular form of online stories. readers love them. e.g. 10 things Bio-diesel will make expensive; top 10 movies on War in Vietnam,
Interviews are easy to do.
Summaries - Summarizing articles on an important topic, found on different web sites- Who said what, etc. For example, reviews of stocks, books, movies, etc.
Case Studies - For example, how Wikipedia became so big.
Profiles - Of people, companies, etc.
Contrasting two options - Where you compare two or more different positions on a topic. For example, people who choose Microsoft products and those who hate it.
Explaining your position - For example, On why you do not like George Bush.
How to - Instructional Articles.
What is - Where you write in detail about some specific issue or topic after having done detailed research.
Inspiring, feel-good stories - For example, how I overcame Asthma and ran the marathon.
Report an experience - For example, how is it like living in Baghdad today, or 24 hrs in the life of a BPO worker.
Stories and opinions about high-profile names [celebrities, experts] and brands work well.

Read more Online Writing Tips at The Bighow Online Journalism Handbook
Also read 60 writing tips from 6 all-time great writers

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