Better Bloggin’ Tip 1: Short

March 4, 2010 in Blogging, Site News by Brian JM

You know when you have the post that has a cool title, so you go to click on it, scroll down, and the length immediately gives you a headache? Yeah, I know. I’ve written those posts.

Started today, we’re posting a mini-series on how to make more effective blog posts. Blogging is a unique form of writing. Unfortunately, your standard English class doesn’t prepare you for the brutal way Internet users pick what content to read and what content to ignore. Our hope is that this mini-series will equip you to produce posts that make people want to read them.

Tips for Better Bloggin’

Photo credit:  (Navy Historical Center, Public Domain)

Tip 1: Keep it Short

How, you might ask? And it’s a good question. Here are some specific ways:

Word count

Take advantage of the fact that WordPress has a word count at the bottom left of the posting box. Make sure that number doesn’t get higher than it needs to be, or people will stop reading. 500 words or less is a good rule of thumb. (This post is about 421.)

Say things Once

When you’re giving a speech, it’s important to repeat yourself so that they catch everything you’re saying. But, when you’re writing, people can read go back and read what you just said, so you don’t have to remind them.

Repetition may be a good thing for listeners, but it just wastes time for readers.

Bite size pieces

When people are reading form a computer, they don’t want to see long paragraphs.  Maybe it’s because it reminds us of the homework I should be doing for literature, but whatever the reason: People like short paragraphs these days.

Don’t be afraid to put a sentence in its own paragraph if it’s important. And make sure that you put the most important sentences at the beginning and end. Don’t “bury” your ideas unless you don’t want people to understand you.

Be direct

Unless you’re trying to be snooty or really tender, don’t say “I am very displeased with the apparent disregard our government has for our liberties. The founder would share this disposition today if they could see the course our government has embarked upon with no intent to ever turn back.”

Just say: “I’m upset with the government. The founding fathers would be, too.”

Don’t turn your blog into a maze.

Photo Credit: Bob Jenkins / CC BY-SA 2.0

Remember…

Anyone can keep an online journal, but a good blog establishes a connection with the reader, just like any other effective communication.  Being short and succinct is the first step on the road to success.

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