Make your content sticky

Association Media and Publishing (nee SNAP) just published a short summary of “5 Things That Make Me Stop Reading Websites and Blogs”, by Writers Digest editor Jane Friedman.

The post provides good, common-sense observations about site design, overuse of sound and video and making text accessible. Friedman also talks about the value of using deep links: bring people all the way to your content. Don’t make them work to find it. If you’ve done a good job, they’ll stick around.

If I had one addition, it would be “link out before you link in”. Give people who come to your site access to the resources that informed you when you created your content. It’s a bit like “showing your work”, but it helps build understanding and ultimately engagement and return visits.

About Brian O'Leary

Founder and principal of Magellan Media Consulting, Brian O’Leary helps enterprises with media and publishing components capitalize on the power of content. A veteran of more than 30 years in the publishing industry and a prolific content producer himself, Brian leverages the breadth and depth of his experience to deliver innovative content solutions.

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