When I teach writing for digital platforms, I don’t start with algorithms, SEO or word counts. I start with a simpler — and more important — idea:

Good digital writing is an act of respect.

It respects the reader’s time, attention, intelligence and context. Everything else flows from that.

Digital Readers Aren’t Lazy, They’re Busy

One of the most persistent myths about digital writing is that people don’t want depth. In reality, readers want clarity.

They arrive with limited time, competing demands and varying levels of familiarity with the topic. Respectful writing acknowledges this by:

• Getting to the point without oversimplifying
• Providing context without burying the lead
• Offering structure that helps readers decide how deeply to engage

Depth isn’t the enemy. Confusion is.

Structure Is a Courtesy

Digital writing succeeds when it’s easy to navigate. That means thinking deliberately about:

• Headlines that accurately reflect the story
• Subheads that guide rather than tease
• Paragraphs that earn their length
• White space that gives ideas room to breathe

Structure isn’t about dumbing content down, it’s about inviting readers in.

When writers respect structure, readers reward them with attention.

Scannability Is Not the Same as Simplicity

Teaching digital writing often involves helping people unlearn the idea that scannable equals shallow.

Scannability is about choice.

It allows readers to:

• Identify key takeaways quickly
• Pause where something resonates
• Return later without losing orientation

Respecting the reader means designing writing that works at multiple levels, whether someone spends thirty seconds or thirty minutes.

What Respect Looks Like in Practice

Respect for the reader becomes most visible in longform digital storytelling.

In profiles and features I’ve written about student-athletes and their families, I’ve found that readers will stay with longer stories when the writing earns their attention early and guides them clearly. That often means opening with a specific, human moment rather than a summary; using structure to create natural pauses; and allowing emotion to emerge through detail and dialogue rather than explanation.

These stories work digitally not because they are short, but because they are intentional. Scene-setting draws readers in, context appears exactly when it’s needed and quotes are used sparingly, only when they reveal something the writer cannot. The goal isn’t to tell readers what to feel, but to trust them to arrive there on their own.

When digital writing respects the reader’s time and intelligence, length becomes secondary. What matters is clarity, purpose and an honest understanding of how people read online — often distracted, often arriving midstream, but always capable of deep engagement when the story invites it.

Tone Matters More Than Voice

Strong digital writing has a voice but it also has judgment.

Respectful tone:

• Avoids talking down to the reader
• Explains without condescension
• Acknowledges uncertainty honestly
• Matches the seriousness of the subject

In both journalism and strategic communications, tone is often where trust is won or lost.

Context Is a Form of Service

Digital audiences often encounter stories out of sequence, through search, social media, or links.

That means writers can’t assume shared knowledge.

Respectful writing provides:

• Just enough background to orient readers
• Clear transitions between ideas
• Links or references for those who want more

Context doesn’t slow stories down. It keeps them from falling apart.

Writing With, Not For, Algorithms

Search and discovery matter, but they should never come at the expense of clarity or credibility.

When teaching digital writing, I emphasize this balance:

• Write headlines for humans first
• Use keywords naturally, not mechanically
• Let structure support discovery, not distort meaning

Algorithms change. Respect for readers doesn’t.

Editing Is Where Respect Becomes Visible

Editing is the final expression of respect.

It’s where writers:

• Cut what doesn’t serve the reader
• Clarify what’s ambiguous
• Challenge assumptions
• Protect accuracy and tone

In my experience, strong editors aren’t just gatekeepers, they’re advocates for the reader.

The Teaching Takeaway

When writers understand that digital platforms are environments — not shortcuts — their work changes.

They stop asking:
How do I get people to read this?

And start asking:
How do I make this worth reading?

That shift produces better writing, stronger engagement and deeper trust … whether the goal is informing the public, telling an institutional story, or guiding people through complex ideas.

Final Thought

Writing for digital platforms isn’t about chasing attention. It’s about earning it.

And the fastest way to earn it is to respect the reader.