Hello. I’m a freelance web copywriter and editor. I create concise, accessible copy in plain English. Nice to meet you.
I’ve kicked off the new year by finally starting a monthly newsletter. The plan is for every issue to contain a few bits and pieces that are useful to my clients and anyone working with web copy. Read the rest of this entry »
If there’s a piece of information that you need from people contacting you, tell them on your ‘Contact us’ page.
As a supporter of international development charity ActionAid, I’ve been receiving communications by post. I’d like to change my details and also get all materials by email instead, so I went to the charity’s UK website to get in touch. Read the rest of this entry »
The argument for developing content before design for a new website is nothing new. I just want to explain why, showing what can happen when the content is defined later. Read the rest of this entry »
Words are of course powerful on their own on a website for lots of reasons. But an image can often help to communicate information with more impact, capture people’s attention or put across complex topics. Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve just started working with a new UK-based client, EnergyQuote JHA. This Europe-wide energy consultancy has more than 35 years of experience in the oil, power, gas and carbon markets. Read the rest of this entry »
The first page I look for on most companies’ websites is their ‘About’ page. It’s also the first page I look for on any individual’s website. Why? The reasons are the same: I want to find out who’s behind the website, get to know them and feel like we’ve met. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re a web copywriter, web manager, web editor or in any way involved with web content, this webinar may interest you. ‘Are you content strategy material?’ is being hosted by Rahel Bailie and Scott Abel at 6pm GMT on Friday 15 April 2011. Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve had a lovely LinkedIn reference from Emily Gibbs, Communications Executive at The Financial Times, after working with her on an FT.com project in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
July — November 2010
The ‘About us’ section of the FT.com website was being updated and the content migrated from its current CMS to the WordPress platform.
The copy needed reviewing and rewriting or editing to make it as informative and engaging as possible. It also had to be ‘SEO friendly’.
Visit the FT.com ‘About us’ website.
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Contact me to find out more about this project or to talk about working together.
I’m a big fan of plain English on websites for a wide variety of reasons, most of which boil down to reaching the widest audience possible. While there are of course instances where more flowery language is appropriate, communicating important information is not usually one of them.
So if there’s an easier way to say something, use it. And this is what went through my mind as I was browsing the Climate Action website today, when I saw its strapline:
Assisting business towards carbon neutrality
As the platform is produced in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), I think it’s fair to assume the target audience is at least Europe-wide. The majority of those people will speak English as a second language.
Even though English is my native language, I still need a split second to unravel the meaning, which isn’t ideal. In addition, the wording has a distinct whiff of ‘corporate speak’. I think the following is clearer while still saying exactly the same thing:
Helping business become carbon neutral
What’s your opinion?
