I guess it depends on the kind of writing you’re up to, really.  It’s pretty easy to break it up.  Let’s say there are two types of writing you’re doing – The writing that is destined for the printed form, and then the writing that will live on the web.

We can toss writing for print media to the side, unless of course it will be available as an on line media piece as well.

This leaves us with anything that you plan to leave on the web.  The sub-component of this is the assumption that you want people to read what it is you have to say.  If you’re using the web to write a journal on a specific site then maybe you don’t care if anyone reads it.  Fair enough.

If you want others to read what you’ve sweated and bleed to write, then why not use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques?  OK, before you get all flustered and start freakin’ about not being a web designer, you need to know that there are a bunch of things you can do that require little effort on your part.

Writing with SEO is a mindset.  At the core it means keeping in mind as you write that you want the search engines to find what you’ve written so that the world will notice you, heap lavish praise, and click on every ad on your website.

Here are just a few things to consider when you’re putting together a piece of writing destined for the web.  Trust me, this is a small window into a very large world.  You could spend weeks perusing through SEO websites and becoming a SEO master.  Hmmm, maybe not a bad idea!

• Define the key words that fit for what you’re writing.  It’s not rocket science.  For this article, obviously “SEO” is a key word.  Choose several, if possible.
• Use the key words.  This is where folks tend to get a little loopy.  This is also where your skill as a writer will come into play.  You have to balance placing key words in appropriate places without interrupting the flow of writing.
• Put a key word in the title of the piece, in the first sentence of the first paragraph, and then wherever you can work it in, without making the article look like one big ad for “insert key word here”.
• Add links where appropriate.  Linking out to helpful sources is good for your readers and good for SEO.  Do everyone a favor and don’t link every other word, and don’t link to stinky-nuttin’ but ads kind of sites.  Be nice.

I hope this gives you a start and takes away some of the mystery.  This article has not even scraped the first molecular level off the topic.  Spend a little time and look around at SEO sites.  Have a look at this non-intimidating list from Tech Blog.  it will get you started in the right direction.