The first panel discussion broached the topic of 5D, the developing area of immersive design that touches on themes around sensory experience, virtual reality environments and design that is not just digital and not just virtual, but rather a hybrid of the two.
moreThe industry received a welcome boost this week with the news that Internet advertising revenues rose significantly in the first half of 2008, despite tough economic conditions. NMK quizzed the industry on what we can expect for the next year.
moreTroubled ITV is experimenting with ‘automatically placed overlay advertising’ to help revive flagging revenues. NMK’s Chris Lee canvassed opinion from around the new media industry about the move.
moreNMK's Tim Hoang interviews James Scroggs of SpinVox about the company's secrets of success and the way both the Web and the business world are likely to evolve to embrace social media. more
US trade body the Online Publisher’s Association has introduced new metrics to account for consumers’ behaviour online. Initial results show that content sites account for nearly half of consumers’ time, with that proportion rising on a monthly basis. more
Robin Daniels talks about the challenges to the ability of companies to retain customers when convergence comes around. more
Scoopt, the world's first citizen journalism picture agency has launched ScooptWords, its blog syndication service. Now bloggers can sell their writing to the mainstream media and tag content with commercial or flexible licences... more
Since we held this event on 8th November 2005, user generated content has ballooned in simple volume. But that includes the mainstream media's adoption of it, large-scale new arrivals like YouTube and small companies springing up with user-content as the cornerstone of a variety of experimental and innovative business models, reports Deirdre Molloy... more
Elizabeth Varley on why knowing your readers' needs is the key to good content.
Elizabeth Varley on why knowing your readers' needs is key to good content.
No matter what your website is for, it will need some written content. The text on your site lets readers know why they should be there; what they can buy, read, do or sign up for. It needs to tell readers what they will gain.
Knowing the current and intended audience is key when writing content for your site.
Who are they? Are you writing for current readers who already know your company, services and what your site's about? Do you need to attract new customers and describe your products?
When putting your content together ask yourself if you're aiming at businesspeople or the general public. People shopping for a new shampoo won't respond to the more formal language needed for your company's latest financial report.
What will your readers want to do on your site? If you're selling something, you need to think about why readers will be buying your product.
If buying for business, your reader will probably want to know the facts about your product, and quickly. Or perhaps it's a personal luxury item? Let them know how it will make them feel or how they will enjoy it.
Obviously, the best way to find out what your readers want from your site is to ask them. Talk to your readers, get their feedback via an online form or hold a focus group. Give them what they want on your site and they'll keep coming back.
Elizabeth Varley is a consultant content strategist, writer and editor, and the Director of Online Content UK - the network for new media editorial professionals. For more information got to www.onlinecontentuk.org and www.stateofcontent.co.uk
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