But at word, "content," many roll their eyes upward in despair, for they feel their writing skills are not sufficient. While this may be true, there are ways to improve them. For openers, click Topics in navigation bar on my site, select Writing Skills, then dig in.

Great Content Versus Great Writing

You do not need to be a Pulitzer-type writer to produce solid site content. Those who disagree, are generally good writers. Thus they tend to believe great site content is great prose. This is stuff and nonsense.

True, easiest and most straightforward way to build great content is to create quality prose. But it's far from being only way. For example, a site loaded with "how to" information will do fine, provided enough people want what is offered. And in writing this kind of content, focus is on clear explanation, not grammar. Here's another example.

An Aside About Fishing

My fishing experience amounts to having been with some fellows upon three occasions who were doing so. All I remember about ocean trip is being seasick. Another time I walked perimeter of a small lake twice with a neat fellow more interested in walking than fishing. The only pro I've met was a fellow with a fly rod. He caught his limit in minimal time in a stream rod & reel types claimed was "fished out." This makes me uniquely qualified to define a site of great interest to fisherman. What follows is all made up. Any resemblance to truth about fishing is pure coincidence.

Let's Go Fishing

Bill, who owns FishNow.Com, got a call from Phil, made some notes, and immediately wrote following, sent it out in his newsletter, and posted it on his site.

"Bill here, with a neat update from Phil Randal who just called. (You probably remember him from our Caught 'Em forum. He knows what he's about.)

Just now he's at Triangle lake. It's great country and even better fishing. It's about 20 miles east of Kramer's Junction on Hy 145. To get there, take dirt road that starts behind Kelly's Feedstore. Takes maybe 40 minutes, and you don't need four-wheel. (Click here for a map you can print. I've marked route.)"

An Aside: The map is a GIF copy of an actual map on which Bill has sketched route. Throughout he's added text like, "Stream here; drive right through it." And below map is a link.

"If you're short of time, check with Travel Desk. They'll arrange to pick you up and put you beside Triangle lake in quick time. And rates are best I've seen."

"They've got a room at lodge at Rising Creek come tomorrow if you want. And a cabin this weekend. You can get from there to Triangle on horseback in about four hours. Or Jake can run you up in his Land Rover in about an hour and a half. Fact is, fishings pretty good in Rising Creek just now."

Back To The Message

"Now get this. Phil says he's catching his limit every day in less than two hours. And they aren't minnows, either. He's got one he wants measured. Thinks he's got a record. Whatever, it's got size. Those who know Phil, know he doesn't lie.

But here's best part. The other guys aren't catching diddle. They're all over him asking what he's doing they aren't. Again, if you know Phil, he's not saying. But here's what he told me.

He's using a BlueLine lure. He tried a FlatFish and did pretty good, but he swears BlueLine is trick here. If you've got time, get on up to Triangle and let me know how you make out. Click here for info on a BlueLine lure. Click here for FlatFish."

An Aside

I have always had a difficult time getting creative juices flowing. But over past few years I have discovered a couple of techniques that work wonders for me. I didn't invent these techniques, they're not new, but they work.

The first technique is a two step process. I start with a word-association exercise. When I need to write a new ad or design a web page, I take a legal pad or use my word processing program and start by writing down a keyword that relates to product or service I am working with. Then I write down whatever word that key word brings to mind. I write down ANY word that pops into my head. I don't reject anything at this point, object is to keep process flowing.