Writing for digital media 3oct2017 presentation by prime point srinivasan at anna university

Writing for Digital Media K. Srinivasan

6 October 2017 Anna University, Chennai

What we will discuss today • Evolution of Digital Media • Important tips

• Podcasts

Evolution • Ancient days – Palm leaves, inscriptions, etc.

• Print journalism – Newspapers – Magazines • Radio Broadcasting – Radio Hams

Evolution • Television • Internet – Websites, Social Media, Messaging apps, Podcasts

Present trend in Internet • Commercial use started in Aug 1995 • 31% penetration in India (432 Million) • Global penetration 50% (approximate)

What is special?

• Every citizen is a journalist • User Generated Content (UGC)

• Lack of reliability – fake news & rumours • Immediate Delivery of contents

Reading habit • Around 80% readers scan the page. Only around 15% read word by word • Reading in digital media is slower than print media • Readers want to read less to get more information and credible facts

4 major principles • Create interest • Provide credible information (content) • Step by Step information • Navigation - to get more information

Three Steps in writing for digital media

First step – Gather information • Audience, topic, information relating to the topic (relevant or irrelevant), images, data, connected web links,

Second Step - Preparation • Structure the content with main theme in the opening – Use small paragraphs – Use images and graphics – Inverted pyramid style • Remember 5 W and 1 H – Who, Where, When, What, Why and How • Use title and Sub-title for clarity

Second Stage - Preparation • cyber law compliance - No copy right violation – Avoid plagiarism.

• Do not copy and paste. Mention source, if some facts are used.

• Keep in mind that the audience prefers minimum words and more visuals.

Third Stage - Publication • Before publication, ensure that the story/article is understood by common man.

• Get it edited by another person.

• Release through the medium and promote.

• Watch out for feedback

Important aspects • Half the word count (or less) than conventional writing • Increase the credibility through graphics, hyper links, Podcasts, etc.

• Concise and scannable text gives better usability (readability)

• No promotional style of writing – No exaggeration – Readers want facts and only facts.

• Web design should be user friendly with SEO friendly • Content should be readable in all devices like mobiles, iPad, desktop, etc. (Responsive design)

• Long text needs to be broken up.

• use: subheads, bulleted and numbered lists, indentation, pulled quotes, supporting pictures and tabular material.

• Break the text into multiple linked pages with good linking navigation.

• Cyber Law compliance is a MUST • Follow ethics and netiquette

Sample eMagazine PreSense (Published since March 2006) Sep 2017 (127th) edition Click here

Question and Answer

Thanks K. Srinivasan www.corpezine.com editor@corpezine.com dijai.india@gmail.com