Palm test prevents facepalms

Anyone can write a blog. Not everyone can write for the Web. 

But there's an easy, at-home test you can apply to your writing to make it Web-a-fied. It's called the "Palm Test." Here's how:

Hold your open palm up to the screen. Yes, you. Don't feel silly -- just do it. 

Look at what's behind your hand. If all that's behind your palm is solid text, nobody is reading. That doesn't mean your content is intelligent, well-written or interesting. Just means nobody is reading your intelligent, well-written and interesting copy. 

So now what? Faceplam? 

No! Just break up your text to make it scan-able and engage readers. 

There are lots of ways to do it:

• Add bold lead ins
• Embed hyperlinks
• Break up lists/thoughts of two or more into bullets 
• Add subheads 

Want more? Check out Ann Wylie's 5 Ways to Improve Your Copy on PRSA.