All bloggers in their everyday blogging activity, which involves reading, commenting in other blogs, researching for new material, will eventually write a new post.
Now, a common mistake that i see a lot of times, in my opinion, is that some bloggers tend to write big articles. When i say big, i mean 1000+ words articles. I don’t know about you, but im not very fond of big articles. I mean, i get tired reading all that stuff, specially if the blogger does not know how to captivate the readers.
Im no angel here. I have some posts, specially the recent creating a forum series(part 1 and part 2), that reach 1000 words.
Blog Visitors are like newspaper readers. They look for the headlines and potentially for the first lines to get a global picture of what it’s about, and if they find it useful they will read it. But even so, they will jump paragraphs!
We want our visitors to completely read our posts, but lets face it. If we write to much we will loose them.
So how can we get more with less?
After thinking about it i have come across with a few tips to get more of your articles with less words:
- If you plan to write an article and you know you have a lot to say then simply split the article, even if it is part of a series of posts;
- If you can’t split the article then create sub topics in your post. This way, if the readers jumps paragraphs they can focus on the sub topics they are interested;
- Write a nice introduction for your post, one that can grab the readers attention, making him want to read the full post.
- Use related images. Don’t deny the power of an image inside a post. Just remember to insert it in the right place.
- Don’t use a small font on your blog. It is a big mistake. Small fonts tire the reader’s eye, and it will most likely make him run away from your post/blog;
- Write friendly. Don’t be formal. We want the visitors awake right?;
Now, this is my opinion, and you will find some bloggers that will totally disagree with me. They defend that more detailed (meaning: big) articles will produce more and better results…
They will say that depends on the niche, and if you are on the make money online niche, then a more insightful article will produce better results. But is it really?
So, what is your opinion and experience about this?
I’m not too fond of reading a long and list-less article, even though some claim that the longer the better. I would have to agree with you that less is more and better.
If I need to write something in more words, I’ll make it a point to break it down into order list format for better readability.
Interesting piece of thought, Hugo.
Yan
Blog Tips for Beginnerss last blog post..Image Caption Not Working? The CSS Solution
the post readability is very important. i don’t like to loose myself on the text…
I agree, I find myself leaving a blog when the article gets too long. I too have been guilty myself, but more than the length I find it’s the format of the post.
I can read a long post if it’s not just a long bunch of paragraphs. Include some lists, pictures, bullet points, sub headings and such, and you’ve got yourself a great long article.
I also agree with breaking things up…you don’t have to post all that goodness in one shot….give them a reason to come back and also give yourself less stress by having something you can stretch out. Though, don’t split it if it doesn’t need to be.
Good stuff man.
Normal Joes last blog post..Site updates and beefsteaks
ahh glad to see that many of you agree with me.
I agree, I think 400-500 words should be the max. I am a skim reader as I am sure a lot of blog readers are so I love good intro sentences and to the point paragraphs.
I don’t think the length of the article matter if you have presented in in the proper way.Basic idea of what you can get in the first paragraph or so.Then break it into sub section so if someone wants to know about a specific thing he can check that out quickly.So if you have good formatting I don’t think the length matters.
Nishadhas last blog post..Traffic from E-mail trick
well, if the post has good formatting then the length of the post is a secondary aspect. but in the end, big posts will tire your reader, 20-30% of the post might no be read at all
This is a great post. I especially agree with #6. Posts which are too formal bore me to death; I wouldn’t want to do the same to my readers.
that would be very bad lol
I try to make my post between 400-600 words. Though, if the subject matter doesn’t play along I don’t stick to that. The reason, for not making it less than 400, is that Google doesn’t like short posts. On the other hand if I go over 600 I might bore the readers.
Sid Softwares last blog post..Superman games - video game
Great post, i’ll check you out and see if the other posts are to this level. Keep this up.
I agree that the long posts are a little much to deal with. I have noticed that some bloggers use bold font for highlighting important concepts or points. Doing so makes it easier to determine quickly whether of not to continue to read the post.
I totally agree, although I tend to run on quite often from 1k and up. I feel like those articles are quite sticky and invite the reader to bookmark them and finish reading in more than one sitting.
Great advice for all bloggers and not just beginners.
Big Ben Pattons last blog post..PepperJam Network - Blog Monetization Unleashed
Yep, that’s me to a T, if the blog is too long I usually move on. I am also guilty of not reading all the comments and I pray like hell that I have said something unique. It all just takes too much time and time is such a valuable resource.
Sires last blog post..Blogs, Blogging, Young Man Old Man, Never The Twain Shall Meet
You commented was on moderation. I deleted the other one
Time is a valuable resource and rare one. But from time to time. But if we are going to comment at least we need to know what’s going around
I thought it may have been in moderation but I wasn’t sure, but I still took the time to write another comment
The thing some posts invite so many comments and some are so long winded that I simply lack the patience. Maybe in my next life.
I agree with some of your points. When I visit blogs I usually browse through them quickly and might stay for long if they are that good. Making posts easy to read is a big bonus and as you said, if the post is long breaking it up into sections makes for easier reading.
Gerri - Show Me The Moneys last blog post..Best "Other" Blog
I try and do 400-500 words, I hate reading long articles so I try not to go too long on mine.
Great Post!
Larrys last blog post..Increasing your traffic? Slow and steady may win this race
Yes if there was a qualification in skimming I’d have a doctorate. For me, shorter, punchier articles is where the action is at. But equally I don’t like “light” articles. I suppose I like the meat but not the filler, if that makes sense. Each post should have a point, but don’t make it any longer than necessary. If you saw my RSS reader each morning you’d understand
No More Compromises last blog post..Are Distractions Hampering Your Business Results?
from time to time a short post can be beneficial. It will help you cool off a bit from blogging