Keep it Simple Stupid (KISS): the not-so-subtle way of reminding us to write in an uncomplicated, non-flowery style.
Great advice, for web writing in particular and most types of writing in general (maybe outside of journals).
But sometimes it can be the KISS of death. Case in point:
I was in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo recently (as a Frank Lloyd Wright aficianado I sought a mausoleum designed by the master) when I saw the humble tombstone pictured.
The statement of action here (”died”), in my estimation, is presumed by the inclusion of said Mr. Taggert in a cemetery! But what is missing is the how, what, when, why and where of his story.
Keep it Simple, Stupid all fine and dandy IF there is enough detail to make the story compelling. In this case, I am left wanting.
The SEO Story Behind KISS
As a long-time journalist, my writing instincts go nuts here: EVERYTHING is a story - every life, every building, every process…
And as a SEO, I shudder at insufficient content: the cardinal rule of minimum 400 words (at a pinch, 250 but that should really only apply to a blog post) hasn’t changed as Google knows more is better re: delivering contextual searches.
If content is king (and it is), then the quantity of (appropriate, interesting) words is the royal scepter - consider them the jewels.
If only the relatives of William Taggert knew that. (OK, so I realize stonecutters probably charged by the letter, so family fortune might have been a factor in the deficit of wording.)
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Maybe in Will’s case it’s better to be left wanting.
If the words “with a respected congressman” “women’s underwear” and “Buffalo” were on the stone, he might come up in the kind of Google searches that weren’t - shall we say - good for his personal brand.
Especially the Buffalo bit.
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