The document outlines effective writing strategies for digital media in the 21st century, emphasizing the importance of audience awareness, clear messaging, and coherent design. It provides best practices for creating readable online content, including sentence length, word choice, and active voice, alongside examples of improved writing. Additionally, it suggests the incorporation of style guides and training to enhance ongoing communication efforts.

1. Writing for the New Digital Media
Meredith Gould
@meredithgould

2. 21st Century Communications
Digital has eclipsed print
 Online
 Mobile
 Faster-than-fast
Audiences want
 Actionable info in near-real time
 Connection and community
2

3. Effective Writing for Digital
 Audience Awareness
 Defined Goals
 Clear Message(s)
 Choosing the Right Tools
 Coherent Design & Tone
 Integration Across Media
3
Start with strategy!

4. Remember,
when it’s online,
it’s all (and always) visual
4

5. Ensuring Effective Online Writing
 Style Guide (for editorial)
 Templates (for e-newsletters, forms, PPT)
 Review & Approval Processes
 Consistent Monitoring
 Training & Continuing Education
5
Find and use online resources!

6. Best Practices: Style Guide
For Editorial Content Continuity
 Guidelines
 Tone/Voice
 Spelling
 Punctuation
 Standardized text
 Mission statement(s)
 Disclaimers
6
.# not
.##

7. Best Practices: Writing Online Content
For optimal readability
 Sentences no longer than 14 words
 Words of three or fewer syllables
 Paragraphs one to two sentences
 Active voice
 Personal pronouns
 Contractions (“we’ve” not “we have”)
7

8. Best Practices: Writing Online Content
You can generally ditch (edit out) these
words to lighten and brighten text:
 Is and the to be family: am, are, was,
were, will be, have, has, has been, will
have been, be
 There
 To
 That
 Of
8
While you’re at it, stop using:
 Utilize (use)
 Prior to (before)
 Impact (affect)

9. Best Practices: Example (Before)
A unique partnership in Catonsville
New Hope Community Church launched regular services in
January at the former St. Timothy's, Catonsville. NHCC has
entered into a partnership with the diocese to help start St.
Hilda's Episcopal Church there.
NHCC's founding pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jason Poling, attended
General Seminary for a year and was ordained priest in
December. He will serve as vicar of St. Hilda's and coordinate
with NHCC in areas of common ministry such as Sunday school,
Bible study and outreach.
St. Hilda's first service will be Maundy Thursday with Bishop
Knudsen presiding. Over the next few weeks there will be
informal gatherings of people interested in being a part of St.
Hilda's. Those events will be listed in future eNews notices.
9
123 words

10. Best Practices: Example (During)
A Unique Partnership in Catonsville
New Hope Community Church, which recently launched regular services
in January at the former St. Timothy's, Catonsville. NHCC has entered
into a partnership is partnering with the diocese us to help start St.
Hilda's Episcopal Church. there.
NHCC's founding pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jason Poling, attended General
Seminary for a year and was ordained priest in December. He will He’ll
serve as vicar of St. Hilda's and coordinate with NHCC in areas of
common ministry ministries (e.g.,such as Sunday school, Bible study,
and outreach).
All are welcome to attend St. Hilda's first service will be on Maundy
Thursday at #.## AM? PM? with Bishop Knudsen presiding. Over the
next few weeks there will be Look for eNews notices about informal
gatherings of people for those interested in being a becoming part of
St. Hilda's. Those events will be listed in future eNews notices.
10
99 words

11. Best Practices: Example (After)
Unique Partnership in Catonsville
New Hope Community Church, which recently launched regular
services at the former St. Timothy's, Catonsville is partnering with us
to help start St. Hilda's Episcopal Church.
NHCC's founding pastor, Rev. Dr. Jason Poling, attended General
Seminary and was ordained priest in December. He’ll serve as vicar
of St. Hilda's and coordinate with NHCC in common ministries (e.g.,
Sunday school, Bible study, outreach).
All are welcome to attend St. Hilda's first service on Maundy
Thursday at 7PM with Bishop Knudsen presiding. Look for eNews
notices about informal gatherings for those interested in becoming
part of St. Hilda's.
11
99 words

12. Best Practices: Example (Even Shorter)
Unique Partnership in Catonsville
New Hope Community Church, which recently launched regular
services at the former St. Timothy's, Catonsville is partnering with us
to start St. Hilda's Episcopal Church.
NHCC's founding pastor, Rev. Dr. Jason Poling will serve as vicar and
coordinate common ministries (e.g., Sunday school, Bible study,
outreach).
All are welcome to attend St. Hilda's first service on Maundy
Thursday at 7PM with Bishop Knudsen presiding. Look for eNews
notices about gatherings for those interested in joining St. Hilda's.
12
80 words

13. 13
Questions?
You’re invited to contact me…
 Website: www.meredithgould.com
 Twitter: @meredithgould
 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithgould