How does offline versus online writing differ?

Lillian Level 1

April 22, 2014, 3:53 pm

13

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When I'm writing online, the style seems to be more relaxed and casual. And, that's true for things such as blog posts. But, other types of writing including articles are more structured and authoritative.

Offline writing such as that which is published in books is more highly researched and documented than what you will find online.

What do you think?

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NaturalWriter

NaturalWriter

It really depends on what your focus is. For me I do articles online and off, in a more relaxed format, so other readers can relate to what I'm trying to get across. I also write stories online and offline, which are laid back and relaxed as well.

13 years ago

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Asmodeus

Asmodeus

It differs greatly for me, as my offline writing is casual, but my online writing is focused around SEO with structured keyword phrases and optimized wording.

13 years ago

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Caitlin

Caitlin

Offline writing is usually more thoroughly documented and technical and requires lots more references and citations than an online blog post which can be purely based on opinion and speculation and it's still considered acceptable.

13 years ago

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America

America

It differs greatly for me, as my offline writing is casual, but my online writing is focused around SEO with structured keyword phrases and optimized wording.

Have you published a Kindle ebook or other online book about SEO or related subjects? I am looking for something in this niche but finding little that provides what I need.

13 years ago

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Asmodeus

Asmodeus

Have you published a Kindle ebook or other online book about SEO or related subjects? I am looking for something in this niche but finding little that provides what I need.

The problem with writing really any guide or book on SEO topics is that most of the rules change everytime there is a Google update, and things that worked even just a couple years ago will now have the exact opposite effect and get a site penalized by the Big G. That's why I tell people on forums not to follow advice written years ago.

13 years ago

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twilight

twilight

I do both sorts of writing but much prefer to do online writing as it is easier I feel.

13 years ago

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Beverly

Beverly

The problem with writing really any guide or book on SEO topics is that most of the rules change everytime there is a Google update, and things that worked even just a couple years ago will now have the exact opposite effect and get a site penalized by the Big G. That's why I tell people on forums not to follow advice written years ago.

That's good advice. I am a collector of free ebooks, new and old and find that in some of the ebooks which are about SEO from back in the late 2000's contain all kinds of really bad advice about backlinking. Their ideas of 'good SEO' are not at all relevant and what surprises me is how these things are being sold now.

13 years ago

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Laibrown

Laibrown

On general note online writing do not differs much from offline because they both follow the same laid down writing procedures. But technically, some things have to be put in consideration for online writing. The use of keywords is essential for search engine optimization. And for online writing the whole write up must stay on course to the topic, little or no digression can be made.

9 years ago

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coolavender

coolavender

Online and offline writing both follow the basic writing rules but there are differences that you have to consider if you're transitioning from being an offline writer to an online writer.

Besides the keyword and other optimization, an online writer needs to understand the difference between book or magazine readers and internet users. A book reader often sits down and takes time to read. An internet user, on the other hand, mostly skims. Hence, blog posts or online articles should be structured in a way that will address the peculiar reading habits of internet users. While a wall of text may be fine to book or magazine readers, online readers are not as forgiving. You'll have to break the article and place the the more important one or the gist on the right places to catch and sustain the interest of the internet user.

As for the amount of research, that would depend on the type of work or subject and not on whether it's online or offline. An ebook will require as much research as a regular book. The same thing goes for blog post or versus a magazine article.

9 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

Though these days I am not writing anything for online platforms, however, in the recent past, I used to regularly write for newspapers. I started writing by writing on newspaper in 2001. I started writing online in 2005 and since 2012, I made online writing my career. Since I have written for both platforms, I can state the differences well.
Online writing is too technical. You not only need writing skills but also need to have keyword research skills and SEO skills.
Opinated articles do well on print, however, a successful online article always presents facts and figures. Opinions do not go well with an online platform.

9 years ago

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Barida

Barida

Writing offline can be strict than what we do online. That is the reason some writers are scared to work offline for some clients that can be highly critical of your works. I have done some research for some offline clients and got my pay without issues.

9 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

In my experience, it’s practically the same although I think offline publishing is more strict when it comes to the manuscript. I had been co-blogging for a pet blog and I have to admit that I had some articles which were rejected and most were revised. However, I also have some published articles in the top magazine here. My batting average in the printed version is 100% which means I didn’t experience any rejection. But I agree that it is not a barometer of the strictness.

9 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

As a writer who contributes to newspapers as well as has a blog, I think writing for print publication is very different from writing for online platform. For an online publication, you will have to think about repeating keywords. For print article, repeating words and phrase can clutter your work.

9 years ago

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