From Non-Profit Times:
Communications ...
The vanishing print medium
Extry! Extry!
Reading all about it already is undergoing fundamental changes, as many news media cut back on or (as with the nonprofit Christian Science Monitor) eliminate their print media in favor of online reporting.
With that in mind, it might be helpful for nonprofits that deal with the media to be aware of the changes of approach being undertaken by the media.
According to “Telling The Story” published by The Missouri Group, there are 10 guidelines for writing online.
Think immediacy. Reporters have to think that their readers are going to be reading right now, instead of over their morning coffee.
Save readers’ time. Be clear, use simple words, keep most sentences short.
Provide information that’s quick and easy to get. Be guided by what readers want or need to know.
Think both verbally and visually. It is not just words but graphics, even video.
Cut copy in half. Most online readers will simply not read long stories.
Use lots of lists and bullets. For print journalists, these items were discouraged. No more.
Write in chunks. What can’t be put in a list can be organized into chunks of information.
Use hyperlinks. Print can tell readers where they can go to check. Online allows them to do it right away.
Give readers a chance to talk back. There are reporters’ email addresses, and there are comment sections.
Don’t forget the human touch. Facts are just facts until they are related to people.
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