To get the attention of readers is often a challenge that most online journalists must face in order to get a frequent following. To get them to read the whole article is even more complex.
If you made it this far, then I’m in good shape according to Michael Agger in his Slate post that has tips for online writers. Briefly, what I gathered is that you should use bulleted lists, explanatory subheads and not to make the user scroll too much.
It is proven that readers skim anything that is online and overlook anything that looks like a banner or an ad. It is also confirmed through studies that a reader will comprehend the page in an “F” pattern, where their attention gets smaller as they get to the bottom of the page (if they even reach the bottom).
In last year’s post by Bryan Eisenberg on Grokdotcom.com, he argues that people actually read more thoroughly online than they do in print. Eisenberg claims that people read an average of 77 percent of a story online, 62 percent in broadsheets and 57 percent in tabloids.
He said that about half of readers online are methodical, while the other half scan.
I would have to agree with the latter, but I believe that people read more of a story if it is a tangible copy.
I am one of those readers that read methodically depending on what it is. If it is a news article I will more than likely read it word-for-word to determine if I should continue to the conclusion. In a story that is from ESPN.com or Digg.com, I would more than likely look at the subhead or scan.
So in conclusion, I would like to say that you are a very methodic reader.
