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59 Comments to “6:00 - Vicky H on Writing for the Web”

1. February 10th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
   VickyH said

   Ask me questions, I’m ready!

2. February 10th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hiya!
   You must be tired already!
   So what was the biggest thing you learned about having a blog?

3. February 10th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
   VickyH said

   To take your time to plan, think of your target audience, and know where your going short term

4. February 10th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
   VickyH said

   As far as writing for the web

   * to put information in smaller chunks
   * use subheadings
   * write simply

5. February 10th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
   VickyH said

   As far as technically:

   * To implement new plugins, add on’s one at a time

   * To use WP
   * Wait a day or to to upgrade. See how it goes with others.

6. February 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
   VickyH said

   As far as writing:

   To plan ahead and have 2-3 articles on hand at any time.

   You don’t always have to post something big or long.

7. February 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
   ME Liz Strauss said

   What do you do when you don’t know what to write about?

8. February 10th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
   Zaibatsu said

   Vicky, I have a 5 year old and a 9 month old.

   My 5 year old has had a computer since he was 2, he can surf the web like a pro and hey types better than he writes.

   What limits should I put on the little guy, he never wants to get away from his laptop.

   Zaibatsu

9. February 10th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
   VickyH said

   I try to keep a small tablet to write ideas on. Or I call @Jott and record it and look later

10. February 10th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
    Zaibatsu said

    Vicky,

    I’m also a terrible blogger, that’s why I do a video podcast. Aside from hiring writers, any tips for an aspiring blogger?

    Zaibatsu

11. February 10th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
    VickyH said

    There are some good Parental Control software programs for kids.

    You can make a schedule that will only allow him to log on at certain times.

12. February 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
    VickyH said

    I’d say just pick a topic and start writing. Your probably going to in the beginning edit out 1/3 of what you write, but eventually you will get better.

    Ask friends to critique lightly your writing, your trying to improve.

13. February 10th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
    Zaibatsu said

    Vicky,

    I hate to cut off the little guy at the firewall

    But he’s addicted to Playhouse Disney online.

    Z

14. February 10th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
    VickyH said

    I also wouldn’t hire writer’s unless you need to and instead hire a writing coach.

15. February 10th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
    VickyH said

    If he’s getting exercise out side, he may be able to spend more time with his laptop, which is not exercise.

16. February 10th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
    VickyH said

    How many months do you have left before your 5 mos old will need a computer and it’ll start all over again.

17. February 10th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
    Ramon De Leon said

    Do you think aside from content people might be drawn to a blog because of layout preference or because they like google bloggers vs WP bloggers? I am getting started on both and think with Google when I comment on a blog alert, I find people to be more open because I am on Google also. @DPZRAMON

18. February 10th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
    zaibatsu said

    I agree rinse and repeat. LOl

19. February 10th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
    VickyH said

    @Ramon Content is King! If they like your writing, they’ll come back!

20. February 10th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
    zaibatsu said

    So tell me more about productivity.

    My wife and I both work from home, and we’ve cut back on expenses so no full time nanny.

    Any thoughts?

21. February 10th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
    VickyH said

    That depends on what you spend most of your time on?

    I would say look for recommendations on Twitter. If your not following any of the geekies, start following a couple.

    People will rave about great software, so just favorite the tweet and check it out, see if it would help you.

22. February 10th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
    VickyH said

    I know there’s a site that does a Webware 100 awards every year for the best software. Google to find that site.

23. February 10th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
    Bella Casa said

    How do you get technically challenged friends to join facebook? I keep trying to tell them how easy it is and that technology and the Internet are not going anywhere…but some are so resistant.

24. February 10th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
    rjleaman said

    Vicky, can you talk just a bit about the range of skills that it takes to be a blogger, in your experience? Obviously you and I would likely agree that writing is first and foremost, but it’s just part of the package for a blogger… What’s your take on that?

25. February 10th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
    VickyH said

    I think you have to have a technical background or at least be willing to learn. You have to be a mini-marketer of your blog posts and blog itself.

26. February 10th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
    Becky McCray said

    Hiya, Vicky! Looking forward to seeing you again at SOBCon.

    If you haven’t already covered it, could you talk about some things that help you to write quickly. Or about how you keep from losing ideas!

27. February 10th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
    VickyH said

    I don’t think words and grammar matter so much on blogs, their much less formal

28. February 10th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
    VickyH said

    I have a 10 minute timer I sometime use. Whatever I have after 10 minutes get’s posted.

29. February 10th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
    VickyH said

    I think you have to be able to write well enough to keep an audience

30. February 10th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    What do you do when you get a negative comment? Or folks just didn’t “get” what you said?

31. February 10th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
    VickyH said

    If I get a negative comment I usually just thank them for sharing their opinion.

    If people don’t get what I said, I usually will write in the comments what I ‘meant’ to say. or a clarification

32. February 10th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    re #27 - I would recommend spell checking and proofreading before hitting publish. To me, seeing errors distracts from the post. Oftentimes I use text-to-speech software to hear my posts - a good way for catching some errors.

33. February 10th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
    VickyH said

    What I was refering to more is slang or abbreviations

34. February 10th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
    VickyH said

    Look Liz,

    I just had to clarify

35. February 10th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
    Becky McCray said

    Glenda, that is an excellent idea! We all have those text-to-speech tools, but we seldom use them!

    Vicky, tell us how you got up the courage to actually start writing.

36. February 10th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
    Michelle Vandepas said

    HI Vicky
    what if you are a great writer, but no one seems to be reading? CK is a good writer, and we get hits, but few comments…?

37. February 10th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
    VickyH said

    I had a writing coach for the first 5 months. That helped a lot. Someone I had to make goals with and then held me accountable.

38. February 10th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Becky, yes, those tools are great for proofreading!

39. February 10th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
    rjleaman said

    And is there a particular structure you like to use in writing your blog posts, or are you more a free-style kind of writer?

40. February 10th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
    VickyH said

    I’d think about promoting the posts more, where your RSS button is on your page, is it right in front.

    Make sure it’s easy to read, in smaller chunks with subheadings that are easy to read and skimmable

41. February 10th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
    VickyH said

    I do all my writing and editing first on paper, probably until I think the post is about 60 percent done. Then I’ll edit it in WP

42. February 10th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
    VickyH said

    I also like to use quotes. I think they add something.

43. February 10th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
    Kathryn said

    I know content is King but I think design and functionality cause people to stay and read more and return to your blog. Your thoughts?

44. February 10th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
    Becky McCray said

    I find I’m quoting lots of ideas that I find on Twitter. Some weeks, that feels like all I post.

45. February 10th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
    VickyH said

    I would say that’s true to some degree. If the reader cannot find what they want they may get frustrated and leave.

    If I look at someone’s categories and find non that are of interest then I don’t go any farther on that site

46. February 10th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
    Bella Casa said

    I read your bio, that is why I asked the facebook question for older adults, but it looks like your theme tonight is blogging. Sorry about that!

47. February 10th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
    VickyH said

    There are many free templates out now, so I don’t think ‘bad design and layout’ are as much of an issue as it use to be.

48. February 10th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
    Kathryn said

    True , true, thanks for answering!

49. February 10th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
    VickyH said

    I do to and that’s why my favorites folder on twitter is so big. Especially if most of your readers know the individual or have heard of them, that’s a good use.

50. February 10th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
    VickyH said

    What was your question about FB?

51. February 10th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
    VickyH said

    People are really smart that use Twitter. They are also very creative so they spark a lot of ideas for my posts too

52. February 10th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
    Bella Casa said

    It’s post #23

53. February 10th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
    Becky McCray said

    Anybody use their voice to write? Like record your articles to be transcribed?

54. February 10th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
    VickyH said

    I would think about the person and what their interests are… If they are really interested in finding old friends and classmates, FB is great for that.

55. February 10th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
    VickyH said

    If they have a lot of video’s they may not know that you can load your video’s and photo’s to FB

56. February 10th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
    VickyH said

    I use @Jott which you use through the phone.

57. February 10th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Vicky,
    You’ve been brilliant!
    Thanks so much!

58. February 10th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
    VickyH said

    @Jott now works with Twitter, FB, they have an iPhone app, they voice to text your voicemail messages

59. February 10th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
    VickyH said

    Liz,

    Thank you for inviting me!