I’ve been reading a lot of writing blogs lately and I’ve noticed a curious trend to write longer posts. In general, it’s more effective to keep your blog posts down to 500 words or fewer. If you’ve got good stuff, sure go longer occasionally. But let it be a conscious decision.
If you’re a blogger who’s writing lengthy posts on a regular basis and getting the readership and feedback you want, of course you should keep it up. Then get on here and tell us how you’re doing it, because we all want to know!
The thing is, If you’re a writer who’s accustomed to writing for magazines or books, blogging is an entirely different medium and it’s crucial to choose your words carefully.
Here’s why:
• Most readers don’t scroll to see what’s beyond the fold; if they do it won’t be beyond 2 1/2 screens.
• People read 25% slower from screens than from paper.
• Resolution of a computer screen is 30X lower than resolution of a printed page.
Just something to think about. What’s your take?
-Maria Schneider
If you’re interested in starting a blog or taking it to the next level, I’m teaching a blogging workshop starting January 12. Go here for more information.
flickr photo: powerbooktrance
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Very interesting about people reading slower and the resolution being lower on computer than paper. Makes me wonder why everyone is wringing their hands about the demise of printed books or newspapers, etc. I know I can’t stand to read too much on a computer, but I thought that was just a personal thing. Sounds like few people enjoy curling up with a good monitor.
As I was reading your post, it reminded me of things that newspaper reporters have known for years. A lot of people don’t finish reading stories that are continued on another page. Also, people don’t read big gray masses of print. So, if you’re going to have something that’s more than 600 words or so, you need to break it up with pictures, pull quotes, etc. to make it look less daunting and more inviting.
This is a great reminder, Maria. the posts on both of my blogs tend to go long and I have to cut, cut, cut before I push publish. I also try to remember that links, photos, and video are huge in the blogging world. Plus it’s fun to try to find ones that will really help tell your story. And linking to resources all over the web appeals to the social connector in me. It’s like throwing a cocktail party with all your different groups of friends to see what happens when they mix. So fun!
Jacque
http://www.101smackdowns.com
People are saying newspaper is dying because new screen technologies will blow it out of the water. ePaper is already better, but it’s commercial availability is black and white. Within 5 years i’d say we’ll have newspaper resolution monitors that dont cause eye strain.
I completely agree… The last thing I want to do when online is read an incredibly lengthy blog post. Keep up the good work!
Jugglling about 20 blogs, I usually keep my blog posts short, include photos and links if available, but when I have some longer treat, I lead with the first graph or so and if it’s any good, my readers will make the jump. If they read it and don’t make the jump, it wasn’t interesting to them.
And, although I have a visit counter, my feeling is that many read the site via email subscriptions and RSS feeds. I use the tracker to determine which blogs are being viewed and which I should quit. I haven’t quit a blog yet, but maybe tomorrow?
I never thought about the length of my posts, but now I’m beginning to wonder about it. I often write less than 200 words for each piece at work, so the blog seemed to provide me more leeway. But now I’m concerned…Hmm, I better pay closer attention.
Thanks for reinforcing an important concept: to choose your words with care. The last thing internet browsers want is a verbose blog writer. I am an English teacher and have taught the importance of precision in diction. I need on a daily basis to practice what I teach.
Here is my beef with 90% of the blogs I’ve encountered: I already have an opinion, why do I need yours?
For the same reason, until I’ve accomplished something worth writing about, I’d feel mighty presumtive starting a blog of my own.
Blogs like this one that educate, offer resources and are written by a voice of experience are of interest to me. Blogs about chicken farming would be of interest to me if that was something I needed to learn about. But blogs where Joe Blogger inveighs about the day’s headlines or the price of gas are hard pressed to hold my attention for five words, let alone five hundred.
–John
In my experience, people don’t want to read lengthy blog posts– they want a short respite from their busy day. I think Maria’s idea of 500 words or less is a great guideline to follow!
My take is that I only read your blog, Maria. : )
happy christmas & new year
I like the 500-word limit. I’m thinking I often go way overboard on that one, but I’d never seen a suggested limit previously. I’ve been wondering about it recently, so it was nice to see some suggestions. I’ll have to start shooting for shorter posts. I have noticed that if I see that I need to read more than two screen’s worth of material on someone’s post I go, “Whoa. How long IS this thing?”
I totally agree with the 500 words or less rule. I read so many blogs now that I can’t spend too much time reading one post and the more time I spend reading blogs means the less time I’m spending writing.
The copywriter’s mantra is ‘never too long, only too boring’.
I prefer to write short posts, however, because I prefer to read short ones (unless they’re particularly riveting).
Great post. I’ve noticed this trend recently as well. Long posts loose my interest, even from some of my favorite writers. I tell myself, “that looks interesting, I’ll come back and read the whole thing sometime.” Right.
I belong to a recovery group which has meetings that last for one hour. Everyone usually has a chance to share what’s on their mind (what’s enhancing or threatening their recovery). One thing I’ve noticed when listening to someone share, is that my mind starts to tune out at about 50 seconds. I know, I must not be paying attention and listening if I’m watching the second hand right? That’s another story. Of course that’s when I try and remind myself that what I really need to hear may be coming and to stay focused. I can’t just get up and leave, I mean I could but I would miss the message.
The web is different, we can’t force readers to stay and read. And we all know the attention span of web readers is a few seconds before they want to click onto something else.
I agree that if long posts are working for a writer, keep it up. I would like to see more posts that are broken up into smaller posts spread out over a week or a few days.
I also tend to believe that short paragraphs, hitting the main topics are easier for readers to scan. And try to touch on key topics that invoke feeling.
Ok, I think my 50 seconds are up.
“People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”
—Unknown
Wow, interesting and good point here.
I am always lured to write longer posts, because it feels that I’m providing more value that way. And then, you see these #17 or #25 or #101 lists all over.
If you write a list of 15 tips or so, explaining every tip in a short paragraph, you’re already close to 2,000 words.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll hold my horses
Two great blogs to read:
http://artmodel.wordpress.com/
http://woowooteacup.wordpress.com/
(hi maria!)
Yes. Just like videos, blog readers seem to have a short attention span unless we have something really big and important to say.
eh.. good one )