Similar to the first guest interview, we had to keep a reasonable amount of anonymity with the name of the individual and the company’s name. This installment features C.C. Hunter, and he works at a Web design company in Utah County.

Just like last time, and most likely from now on, this interview was conducted via email. I find this approach to interviewing not only more effective with time and travel, but it allows the interviewer to formulate an adequate response.

The Goods

Luis Bonilla: What is your job title and what are your general duties?

CC. Hunter: I supervise a team of writers, including over 50 freelance writers, for a Web design and hosting company.

LB: What is your personal impression when you read something from a co-worker or upper-management that has horrible grammar, spelling errors, or a lack of professionalism?

CH: It’s most detrimental if it is your first opinion of someone. If I’m reading a writing sample from someone who is applying for a position with us, I won’t even consider them if they have spelling errors in their sample.

LB: While writing website text, what do you feel are the top three most important things to do (i.e., things to keep in mind, items to watch out for, etc.)?

CH: First, does the text have an audience and a purpose? If you’re not writing with this in mind, it doesn’t matter how great your spelling is. Second, you have to know how to write. This takes practice. Third, if you can explain your products or services better than your competition, you’ll have an edge over them.

LB: When reading your client’s website content, what are the most common mistakes that you see? What annoys you the most?

CH: Common mistakes include “its/it’s,” “there/their/they’re,” and “are/our.” Sometimes a writer will try to be too creative or use several big words that are supposed to make them sound smart.

LB: Talk about the importance between the aesthetics of a website and the written content of a website. Are they the same? Is one more important than the other?

CH: The aesthetics won’t get someone to your website, but content with keywords can. You must have a combination of both. The images and the text can work together.

LB: Why do you think that, in some circles, the skill of writing isn’t as highly regarded as other professional skills? (Especially talk about website design.)

CH: If you’ve gone to school at all, you pick up some basic writing skills. Because of this, you think that you can write text for a website. It takes the right kind of writer to write something that sells a product or service.

Interview Summary

Thank you C.C. for answering my questions and giving some insight on written communication. Two notions really stuck out to me after reading his answers. The first was that, in the world of Web design, the images and aesthetics will not initially bring people to your website. Creative, professional, and error-free writing is what really helps shoppers to get interested in your product or service (during the first glance at the search engine results, for example).

Secondly, I think some individuals consider the ability to write and the aptitude to write are one and the same. This fallacy can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and missed business opportunities on the Internet.

What C.C. mentioned at the end of the interview, in my opinion, is noteworthy: When creating a professional business website, it takes a professional writer—skilled in writing for the Web medium—to yield good results.

Luis D. Bonilla
luis@wordszilla.com
Wordszilla, LLC