http://braintrafficblog.disqus.com/enTue, 12 May 2009 13:35:28 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9251294<p>This is great. One of the few articles I've seen that practices what it preaches.</p>RachelTue, 12 May 2009 13:35:28 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128312<p>Hi Mark,<br>Great question. I'd say addressing users as 'you' is always appropriate, unless:<br>A) It comes off as awkward, patronizing, or judgmental to the user.<br>B) You're not actually speaking to the intended user.<br>Remember, whenever you face a content quandary, you can ask this question: What would I want if I were the user?<br>Hope this helps!</p>Elizabeth SalokaWed, 08 Apr 2009 18:40:26 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128313<p>In your opinion, does the active personalised style (speak to the audience as ‘you’) apply when the subject is technical?</p>Mark JacksonWed, 08 Apr 2009 07:10:49 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128314<p>Digestible content is something I focused on strongly as a copy editor and designer at newspapers, and it's been a great skill to have outside of that industry. Excellent tips!</p>Jamie MaldonadoTue, 07 Apr 2009 09:51:54 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128315<p>Great list. I am looking forward to the death of "innovative corporate-speak." I think we are on our way!</p>Nell KaulsMon, 06 Apr 2009 17:36:07 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128317<p>Love this. I've started many an editorial style guide with this bit: "Thoreau instructed 'simplify, simplify.' You can do him one better." Here's to snappy writing that gets to the point and knows when to stop!</p>Margot BloomsteinFri, 03 Apr 2009 15:58:25 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128318<p>AND the search engines love this stuff, too.</p>shannonFri, 03 Apr 2009 12:57:51 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128319<p>Thank you! I've been passing this on to my coworkers for years, but the validation adds credibility.</p>shannonFri, 03 Apr 2009 12:55:57 -0000http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/04/web-writing-for-dummies-smarties-oldies-and-newbies/#comment-9128320<p>Another quick one: Keep bullet points short - if your bullet points are more than a couple lines or sentences long consider breaking up with subheadings instead...</p>Thomas HallettFri, 03 Apr 2009 12:21:26 -0000