-Employ Effective Communication Techniques

 Video: Internet differs from Print

Generally, communication techniques for the Internet are the same principles of communication as in other arenas. Here are some specific guidelines for Internet communication.

1. Content
   - Real people stories or testimonies, such as those found on CWT, generate most feedback. People are looking for solution-oriented information that will help them solve their problems and meet their felt needs.
   
   
2. Credibility
   - We found that credibility is important for Web users, since it is unclear who is behind information on the Web and whether a page can be trusted. Credibility can be increased by high-quality graphics, good writing, and use of outbound hypertext links. Links to other sites shows that authors have done their homework and are not afraid to let readers visit other sites.
   
   
3. Tone
   - Avoid “marketese,” the promotional writing style with boastful subjective claims ("hottest ever") that is currently prevalent on the Web. Web users are busy; they want to get the straight facts. Also, credibility suffers when users clearly see that the site exaggerates.
   - Write with warmth, treating people the same way you would if you were hosting them in your home.
   - Take the positive angle. For example, don't use any form of “no” in titles or leads.
   
   
4. Format
   - Make your content easy to read on a monitor. An overwhelming amount of information online is hard for the brain to process.
   - Write with half the length of conventional print, be concise, and use an inverted pyramid style of writing with the most important information at the beginning of the article.
   - Scannable text (In a recent study 79 percent of our test users always scanned any new page they came across; only 16 percent read word-by-word)
   - When writing, use meaningful text (not “clever”subheads), short paragraphs with strong topic sentences, hypertext links, variations of typeface and color, bulleted lists, and short headings as people generally read headings, not details.
   - Use graphics sparingly. Research shows that in general people are more likely to look at text headings when scanning through a page rather than at the graphics.
   - Protect readability: no text on black or strongly colored backgrounds, no all-upper case, little use of italics as it is hard to read, little use of bold, two/max three fonts per page, using serif fonts is the easiest to read on screen.
   - Place content strategically. Add more content above the fold. Note that most people only click on and read things that appear "above the fold" on any web page. ("Above the fold" refers to the first part of a web page you see without having to scroll down).
   
   
5. Editorial Strategies
   - Edit ruthlessly. While style is more conversational and personal, and grammar is rigid, you must still proofread with care. Typos hurt credibility. Only break grammatical rules if there is a valid reason.
   - Provide lots of places to click, lots of choices. Give lots of opportunities to click on the things that are most important: e.g on CWT Holy Spirit message.
   - Get rid of stuff users aren’t showing an interest in, including dated/seasonal content.
   - Repackage what you are trying to get the viewer to read.  (E.g. if an article was popular on your website 6 months ago, run it again or rewrite it a bit and feature it in another way). Most of your visitors will only visit your site one time, so even if you are tired of seeing something on your site your visitors won't be.
   - Update your content as often as possible. Women Today uploads new front page content once a month.
   - Don't change for the sake of changing. If there is something that works then keep using it. Incremental changes to your site are better then wide sweeping changes.
   - Utilize pop-ups: add pop-up windows to the site to feature important elements. Use pop-ups in moderation and don't make a pop up appear every visit. Try using pop ups on the site's "top exit pages" to try to point people to other pages on the website before they leave.
   - Modify the site's meta-tag keywords to increase traffic to the site based on the most popular keyword searches. Click here to find the most popular key words.
   - Create a top-10 list with links to articles you want to direct people to.
   - Resources: 
   Web Evangelism Bulletin
   Writing for the Web
   Usable Web
   
   
6. Conclusion
   Paul strove to become all things to all people so as to win them to Christ. We must do the same in cyberspace. At TruthMedia, we are constantly seeking ways to do that better by visiting other effective sites, consulting with experts, responding to visitors’ feedback, and asking the Lord to direct us and to anoint every word. The Holy Spirit is the communicator par excellence and without Him, our technical know-how is empty and void of power.

What do you feel good about doing? What dream has God put in your heart?
Mentoring? Counselling the hurting? Evangelizing the lost? Teaching Bible studies? Writing devotionals? Intercession?
Ask God to show you and then move forward. He will be faithful

Being Useable – the Spirit- Filled Life

• Look for opportunities to share the Spirit-filled life in many creative ways online
• Keep your life spirit-filled so you can be sensitive to God’s direction

How Can We Help You?

Here we need to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers. We want input.

• Q & A
• Email us for further information.