I spoke with a web designer the other day – also a friend and colleague.  After some idle chit chat, it turns out he needed help with a client: as the story goes, the client’s site design was finished and almost ready to launch, replete with Flash and other bells & whistles; the only thing missing?  Web Content…

As is the case with many web design projects, my friend had been waiting for the client’s content for weeks.  The design looked great, but with no content, resembled a Lamborghini missing Pirelli’s. If the site was to be launched, it would fall on my web design pal to develop the content; hence, the call.

The web content conundrum
Having worked with a number of web designers, I can comfortably say that many would prefer root canal to web content development, and understandably so. They are graphically inclined; pixel and picture people. 

It is only within the last few years that more stress has been placed on web content development; most likely due to the growing role it plays in Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  I can still recall a former web design colleague telling me that “no one reads online.” That said, he did tend to spend a lot of time on porn sites.

Conversely, the majority of web writers I know avoid web design and graphics; they are word people, mostly concerned with format, context, word count, and other things content and copy related.

Derek Powazek - web designer - wrote a blog a while ago titled, ”Calling All Designers: Learn to Write!”; essentially, a call to action for web designers to be responsible for creating the look and feel of a website - user interface (UI) - in addition to creating engaging web content. 

I enjoyed the blog and agree on his point that content is and should be seen as part of the user interface and overall user experience, but must disagree with Mr. Powazek on another of his points.  Putting personal interest aside, web designers should design, web writers should write.  In a perfect world, both work together to compliment unique and valuable skill sets to the betterment of the project in question.

As for my web designer friend, Ray to the Rescue.

Ray Litvak

www.writingwebwords.com

Professional web content development in Toronto

I’ve been writing web content & copy for years and have built a career around it. 

Like most web ventures, the barrier to entry is low and web writing is no different. Anyone that’s blogged or been published online can claim to be a web writer.  Really, all you need is an Internet connection, basic grasp of language, publishing credit and voila!  You’re a web writer.

In similar fashion, anyone with knowledge of HTML or (dare I say it) FrontPage, can claim to be a web designer.  Web design resources are endless.  For instance, consider the Dummies Series - quick & easy reads for Do-It-Yourselfer’s. A web search shows just a few of the books available for ‘web design’ including:

• Web Sites Do-It-Yourself For Dummies
• Creating Web Pages For Dummies
• Building a Web Site For Dummies
• CSS Web Design For Dummies

(Note: in no way is yours truly implying that web designers are dummies)

The Dummies Series offers many options for those wanting to write, but most involve offline writing. Those that do cover online writing deal with ‘Technical Writing’ and/or programming and mark up languages i.e. C++, Java, XML etc…

So, with no Dummies Series based on ‘online writing’, what’s an aspiring web writer to do?  What skills does one need to become a ‘professional web writer?’ How does one enter the world of ‘professional web writing?’ 

This question arose recently. To be more exact, I was approached by a company interested in sub-contracting a professional web writer.  They had offered to let me write something for them – on behalf of a client – and, based on the search results it garnered, would consider hiring me for future projects. 

Their offer led me to consider what my time and service is worth, which my client’s presently pay good money and get value for in the form of search rankings, lead generation and professional, informed advice.

In essence, the real question is this, “What does a professional web writer do and why is she/he worth $150.00 per page or more?”

Feel free to visit my article titled How to Become a Professional Web Writer to find out more…

Ray Litvak
www.writingwebwords.com
Professional Web Writer & Online Copywriter – Toronto