Genre Copywriting - How to Determine The Proper Voice for Your Site
April 21st, 2008 Dina at Wordfeeder.comGenre is a word that gets thrown around mostly in fiction circles. Popular genres include horror, sci-fi, romance, western, mystery and fantasy. People who keep reading specific genres do so because they know what to expect. It’s that familiarity with the material that keeps them turning the pages. Horror fans know that the pretty girl who goes into the dark room by herself will get killed. Romance readers know that the main character will find love in the end.
Your blog, or website, needs to have a genre too in order to create the comfortable familiarity that readers come to expect.
There are three main types of genres you can apply to your blog’s copy. The main focus of your site, and your readers, will determine what’s working and what isn’t. But, once you settle on a particular voice, it’s vital that you stick with it because your readers will demand it every time they visit.
Professional. This writing style can be referred to as strictly business. You give facts and information in a straightforward style. Your voice should be neutral and business-like, as if you were making a boardroom presentation. While some people find this style to be dry, others appreciate the no-nonsense approach because it sounds more authoritative. This genre should primarily be used if your readers are corporate folk.
Personal. Anecdotes, opinions and personal stories make up the overall tone of this genre. Much of the writing found on the web today falls into this category. E-zines and opinion pieces do well with a personal style because readers like to see a bit of themselves in you. Writing in this style is particularly good if you’re looking for high reader response, or to engage your readers in discussions. This type of writing is best when your readers are Joe and Jane public.
Technical/Instructional. This genre is similar to professional, but written in a more rigid tone. The goal of writing in this voice is always clarity, and is defined in short, to-the-point sentences that give out information that’s relevant to your topic. Save the entertainment and humorous observations for another blog. Readers of this material are out to get hard information and nothing more.
It’s advisable to pick a genre to write in before you set up your web site or blog, but if you’re already well into it, you can change your style. The important thing to remember is that your readers play a huge factor in determining your site’s genre. If they’re already flocking to your site, it’s best to keep doing what you’re doing. That’s not to say you can’t stretch your genre a bit, but just don’t break it once the readers come to expect it.
Copyright 2008 Dina Giolitto, Wordfeeder.com Copywriting and Marketing. All rights reserved.
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