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| | The The CopyWriters Connection Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Website Writing | Views: 357 | | Jan 21, 2006 3:16 pm | | Website Writing | # | 
Jennifer Woodard | | Hello everyone,
I was wondering when you all write copy for a clients website and its a new website. Do you know what they layout will be before you write your copy? Do you have any say in the layout of the copy? Do you just write the copy and the client decides how it will be incorporated into the copy?
Thanks,
Jenn Private Reply to Jennifer Woodard | | Jan 21, 2006 4:16 pm | | re: Website Writing | # | 
Steven Boaze | | Hi Jennifer,
This is a great question. Normally when I write
for a client’s website, I gather as much
information from them before the start. I write
up a contract (of course) and research their
organization or company first. I spend as much
time researching as I do writing copy, which
takes up my time when I could be writing the
copy.
Normally I decide the layout – when the customer
agrees in the contract. If they do not agree,
then I take their current recommendation and go
with that, But, most of the time I decide the
layout before the project begins so I can write
about a very straightforward product that
delivers a benefit that is both powerful and
unique.
I’ve had some instances where my client required
the copy by itself. No other layout – just the
copy. Then they give it to their webmaster or
designer to place on the pages. On other
occasions, I’ve built the pages from ground up
and handed over the entire project. This is
something that must be discussed with your client
prior to accepting the project. However, I would
Always try and convince them that you layout the
copy For them. This makes the overall copy easier
to write when you know what to place and where.
One word of caution if you do the layout; match
the theme And colors of their website with your
copy. Think about How their prospect will feel
right now about the problem that their product
solves, or the fear that it assuages. This
“feeling” is quite often referred to as the
prospect’s resident emotion, or dominant emotion.
In other words, you can quite often get greater
readership on the front end by addressing the
problem or the desire that the prospect holds
most dearly at the given moment, and not even
looking at the product benefits upfront. Then
lead on with the rest of the layout and copy.
Now, take in stride not all copywriters work this
way. There’s more techniques and habits other
copywriters have in their Work stations. The
method above is how I write and layout Website
copy for customers, because we are web developers
To start with. So, this makes it more comfortable
with us to do the entire project which includes;
layout, copy, graphics, Programming, SEO, etc…
Steven Boaze
http://www.boaze.com Private Reply to Steven Boaze | | Jan 21, 2006 5:49 pm | | re: re: Website Writing | # | 
Melissa Brewer | | Hi there!
Most of my own clients usually know exactly what they need (or think they do) in terms of website copy. Many graphics-heavy designs, such as online catalogs, have a limited amount of space to actually work with. So I'll be told that they need 100 words of text per item, etc and it needs to be around 3% keyword-heavy. Or, I will write the text for sections and they will break it up. It also depends on if the site is a new site, an overhaul, or already in existence. Sometimes I work with web designers and they give me complete access to their content management system, so I can directly work with the space they have.
Occassionally I am given the luxury of setting up the copy exactly how I like; telling them how much space I'll need and how many words I estimate. The web standard is different than a standard article - 400 words max per page, more bold, headings, and active links pointing to internal pages. It makes the search engines happier and breaks down the writing into chunks that are easier for the ADD internet generations. Private Reply to Melissa Brewer | | |
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