As a seasoned website text writer and the proud owner of Article Fiesta, I’ve seen my fair share of verbose, fluffy content that could do with a bit of trimming. Too often, content writers focus on pouring out their thoughts, mimicking their conversational style. While this can make writing flow easily, it often leaves the text bloated and less effective. This insight guides our approach at Article Fiesta, where we emphasize conciseness and clarity, ensuring that every piece of content not only engages but also performs well in search engines.
Learn to Improve Your Website Text Writing Instantly
- Delete the word «that»: Streamline your writing by removing unnecessary filler words.
- Use the active voice: Make your website text more engaging and dynamic by utilizing active voice instead of passive voice.
- Avoid clichés: Keep your writing fresh and original by steering clear of overused phrases.
1. Delete the word «that»
One of the first pieces of advice I give any writer is to remove the word «that» wherever it’s not absolutely necessary. It’s astonishing how often this simple word creeps into our sentences but adds little to the meaning. For example, consider the sentence «She believes that she can win.» It’s just as clear and more concise when written as «She believes she can win.»
Insider Tip: Be vigilant with «that»; if the sentence makes sense without it, cut it out!
2. Remove «it» at the beginning of sentences
Starting sentences with «It is» or «It was» can often lead to passive constructions that weaken your writing. By rephrasing such sentences to eliminate «it» at the beginning, you make your writing more dynamic and direct. For instance, «It is important to note that blogging increases SEO» can be sharpened to «Blogging significantly increases SEO.»
Insider Tip: Rewriting sentences to remove «it» can add clarity and impact to your writing.
3. Shorten sentences that start with «there»
Sentences beginning with «there are» or «there is» often contain unnecessary filler words. For example, «There are many people who blog» can be tightened to «Many people blog.» This not only reduces the word count but also enhances the sentence’s impact.
Insider Tip: Scan your document for «there is» and «there are» to find easy opportunities to tighten your prose.
4. Replace «thing» with a better word
The word «thing» is often a placeholder for a more descriptive term that could significantly enhance your writing. Instead of saying «She has a thing for blogging,» specify what exactly about blogging appeals to her, such as «She has a passion for storytelling through blogging.»
Insider Tip: Always question if «thing» is the best choice, and consider a more descriptive alternative.
5. Replace «very» with a more powerful modifier
«Very» is a crutch that writers often rely on to intensify an adjective, but it usually falls flat. Replace «very» with a single, stronger adjective to make your point. Instead of «very big,» use «immense.» Instead of «very happy,» opt for «ecstatic.»
Insider Tip: Strengthen your adjectives to enhance your writing’s emotion and effectiveness.
6. Remove adverbs that don’t add new information
Adverbs should be used sparingly and only when they contribute new information to a sentence. For instance, «She quickly ran to the store» can be streamlined to «She ran to the store» unless the speed of her running is crucial to the context.
Insider Tip: Evaluate whether an adverb changes the meaning of the sentence; if not, it’s likely superfluous.
7. Eliminate «to be» verbs when possible
Verbs like «am,» «is,» «are,» «was,» and «were» often lead to passive and weak sentence constructions. Active verbs energize your writing. Transform «The blog post was written by John» into «John wrote the blog post.»
Insider Tip: Active verbs not only reduce wordiness but also make your statements more direct and powerful.
8. Use the active voice instead of the passive voice
Passive voice can make sentences longer and harder to follow. Where possible, switch to an active voice to clarify and strengthen your statements. Change «The cake was eaten by her» to «She ate the cake.»
Insider Tip: Active voice enhances clarity and engagement in your writing.
9. Avoid words like «actually,» «really,» and «in fact»
These filler words often don’t add value and can make sentences clunky. For example, «Actually, its really important to write daily» can be tightened to «Writing daily is important.»
Insider Tip: Cutting these fillers sharpens your sentences and your message.
10. Don’t use clichés
Clichés are tired, overused phrases that have lost their impact due to overuse. Phrases like «at the end of the day» or «hard as nails» can usually be replaced with more original expressions or removed altogether.
Insider Tip: Originality in expression can set your writing apart. Avoid clichés to keep your content fresh and engaging.
Real-life Example: The Power of Active Voice
Sarah’s Story
Growing up, Sarah always felt passionate about writing. She pursued a career in marketing and found herself writing numerous product descriptions for her company’s website. One day, her supervisor pointed out that her writing lacked impact and suggested using the active voice instead of the passive voice.
Taking this advice to heart, Sarah revised her content, replacing passive constructions with active ones. The change was remarkable. Customers responded more positively to the new descriptions, and the products started selling better.
By simply switching to the active voice, Sarah not only improved her writing but also saw tangible results in her work. This experience taught her the power of active voice in making her writing more engaging and persuasive.
Conclusion
Cutting the fluff isn’t just about reducing word count; it’s about refining your message to ensure clarity and impact. At Article Fiesta, we integrate these principles into our SEO content writing tool, ensuring every piece is optimized not just for search engines but for readability and engagement. Our tools are designed to help you maintain a clear, compelling voice that captures and holds your audience’s attention. Remember, in writing, less is often more. By applying these simple edits, you’ll not only improve your writing but also enhance your overall communication effectiveness.
Answers To Common Questions
Question: Who can benefit from hiring a website text writer?
Answer: Businesses looking to enhance their online presence and engage customers.
Question: What does a website text writer do?
Answer: They create compelling and informative content for websites.
Question: How can I find a professional website text writer?
Answer: Research online platforms, read reviews, and request samples.
Question: Why should I hire a website text writer instead of writing content myself?
Answer: Professional writers bring expertise, creativity, and efficiency to the task.
Question: What qualifications should I look for in a website text writer?
Answer: Look for experience in content writing, SEO knowledge, and a strong portfolio.
Question: How can I ensure the website text writer understands my brand voice?
Answer: Provide detailed brand guidelines, examples, and have clear communication.