Copywriting for the Internet

Online copywriting is a slightly different world than print but similar to television copywriting. What is copywriting? Copywriting is any form of media that persuades, draws attention to or informs the audience in a way that benefits the company or business. Copywriting online is tailored to internet publications, websites or ezines. An ezine is the digital version of a magazine. Online copywriting reaches those individuals who use the internet.

The internet has turned into a billion dollar revenue source for thousands and thousands of companies throughout the world. Online copywriting is more often associated with a form of article called a Search Engine Optimized (SEO) article. The SEO copywriter writes articles, varying in lengths, to fit a series of keywords or phrases that will turn up prominently in an internet search through such search engines as Google or Yahoo.

A web copywriter absolutely must know their way around the internet. Readers usually only skim through the ads or articles so a copywriter for the internet must know how catch the reader’s eye. Key points must be made in such a way that they stand out from the rest of the words otherwise the reader skims and then moves on.

Words have power. We see that day in and day out through the commercials and ads we see each day. But one form of online copywriting we do not often take into consideration when thinking about copywriting in general is that essays or reviews against a particular subject are considered a form of marketing. Take for example the government and organization ads against smoking. The articles and commercials are very much against use of any form of tobacco. Their use of health statistics show the detrimental effects that smoking has on our bodies, not only as a tobacco user, but through second hand smoke as well.

If the idea of jumping into the online copywriting field appeals to you, there are many job opportunities. You might try searching career boards or attending job fairs to see if there are any positions you may fit. There are also online copywriting courses that can help you learn how to write effectively for the internet.