Ways to be a good digital media writer

 

DO’s

-DO use bullet points

It is so much more efficient than full sentences. It looks less wordy and cleaner for the blog. It is easy on the eyes of the readers. And no one wants to read an article filled with words and no paragraphs or points, compared to bulleted points as it’s easier to find and most of the time contains the important points.

 

- DO READ, READ & READ!

Read other blogs and other news to get inspired or more knowledgeable about things around us so we won’t be embarrassed if we’re out of the loop. Read your article at least TWICE to know ensure that you don’t make any grammar or spelling mistakes. And also to ensure that your word and sentences are properly phrased.

 

- DO use simple vocabulary.

No one cares for fancy vocabulary that blows your mind. Readers just want to understand what it’s all about and leave. Don’t use fancy words which will make them wonder what it means or have to google the word.

 

-DO know your target audience & theme

It’s best to decide on the theme of your blog, (e.g. lifestyle, beauty, fashion, food, personal, etc.) so that your target audience won’t be confused about the content of your blog. Also, know who you are targeting (e.g. teenagers, women, men, unisex, fashionistas, etc.) so that you can link it it your content.  For us,our mistake was that our blog theme and content didn’t match and so, you need to plan your content and theme carefully to make sure they match.

Our stories didn’t exactly match the theme. So,a suggestion for improvement would be since we are “Weekend Ventures” to do a story about an adventure in Sentosa like taking the zipline, then going water surfing.

 

- DO have multimedia’s

To show a variety of the happenings throughout the 10 weeks of Blogger’s Challenge. It won’t bore the readers as there’s a balance of visuals and text. It is also comfortable to the readers. 

 

DONT’s

- DON’T go out of point and drag the words.Give the information clearly.
Beating around the bush is common is most writers. Yes, sometimes we tend to over-describe and that leads us….out of point. Now we don’t want that to happen, don’t we?
If you have problems writing, plan it out. Take as much time as you need. Remember, quality over quantity.

Here’s an example:

Bad:  I took the the 15 minute train ride all the way to bugis and even had to spend another 20 minutes on a bus ride just to get to Adam’s chicken rice stall.

Exemplary: It took me a long time just get to the Adam’s Chicken rice stall.

 

- DON’T hyperlink the whole sentence but a word.

Hyperlinking the entire sentence will not only give the audience the wrong idea. But it will also not give them a clear understanding of which term is more significant and relevant. Also, hyperlinking the entire sentence will make the blog look messy and a lot more colourful, thus making it distracting for the readers. 

 -DON’T plagiarize

How would you like it if someone else took your information and claim it as theirs? Wouldn’t like it, would you?

Did you know? Plagiarism may tarnish your reputation and even lead you to legal repercussions.

Hence, iIt is essential to produce your own original content. Put your ideas into words. Be proud of your own work.

 

- DON’T use pictures from other people or blogs without permission

Do make sure that you ask permission from the owner before taking it of from the net as it is may arise to copyright issues. Did you know that you could get into trouble! Get creative and take your own photographs or simply ask the owner for permission and  lastly do not forget to credit the owner.

 

-DON’T write anything offensive

Anything offensive or has insulting connotations should be left out. Especially if it’s about race and religion. One should never insult another’s race or religion or write anything as readers could get hurt. Any sensitive topics should be left out!