Posts
IT'S SHORT.
On the average Web page,
users have time to read at most 28% of the words during an average visit.
20% is more likely.
IN FACT:
Readers DON'T READ your posts.
THEY SKIM,
picking out individual words and sentences.
Only 16 percent read word-by-word.
Most people have short attention spans
and you don’t
want them to forget the reason that brought them to your blog.
IT'S EYE-CATCHING.
I bet the first thing you thought when you saw the above picture was
"I wonder where that road she's standing on goes to?"
Sure you did.
The idea is to catch the attention of people by getting directly to the
point.
You can do this by utilizing VISUALS like infographics or
scannable lists.
This type of content is easy for readers to scan and
digest.
READERS WILL BE TEMPTED TO FOLLOW WHERE YOU GO
The reader will say:
I can stay with this post and not get bored.
LONG HAS ITS VIRTUES TOO
Why would anyone want to write a LONG post?
It’s excellent for SEO.
(SEO is strategies, techniques and tactics to
increase the number of visitors to a website
by obtaining a high-ranking
placement in search results.)
The top 10 results from Google all have a minimum of at least 2,000 WORDS.
The
reason?
Because Googlebot, Google’s web crawler,
looks at every piece
of content on a page,
such as words, titles and whatever other
information you’ve shared.
THE EGYPTIANS HAD IT ALL UPSIDE DOWN!
Work on the press release principal.
Short, sharp, no more than 500
words,
and the information laid out in an upside down pyramid in order
of importance.
OF COURSE
IT HELPS TO
VARY
YOUR CONTENT
TO
TEMPT ALL SEGMENTS OF YOUR AUDIENCE!
WHAT LENGTH IS COMFORTABLE WITH YOU?
I am a skimmer... if I don't get a good sense of the post, I do read it again. I respect the writer enough to leave a comment on those who do put the time into that post, very least thanking them for the effort. Now this is not the case for everyone... time is a factor, where I try to comeback for a follow up.
ReplyDeleteJeremy:
ReplyDeleteTime is a harsh mistress for me. In fact, I was just heading out the door for work when I saw your comment. I just had to stop and say THANKS for visiting and commenting! :-)
thank you... you are still one of the favorites. i may not tell you enough, so thank you... thank you... thank you... thank you... etc.
DeleteAnd your visuals are excellent. :)
ReplyDeleteThe right bait will lure them in, but will it keep them on the hook if there is nothing satisfying there? Good points, Roland, but I prefer a post I can wrap my thoughts around. Short must be very concise and most quick hitters miss the mark.
ReplyDeleteShort. Always short. Blog posts, that is :)
ReplyDeleteThat's why I post short pieces of variety. Something for everyone. If the news doesn't interest you, maybe the movie review will. And yes, in total, always short.
ReplyDeleteI agree that under 500 is best. I'm pushing that limit these days, though; it's tough. Good to know, though, that longer posts are better for SEO.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you use different colors, Roland. That's eye-catching.
Be well.
When I was young and my thighs were firmer, I wore miniskirts. Now I'm older, my skirts have to be longer, and I have to try harder to look good. There's an analogy for a blog in there somewhere...
ReplyDeleteFirst time I started writing blog articles for various blogs the average was much longer. And of course, it depends upon the blog and it purpose. Now, 7 years later, I'm seeing a trend toward shorter blogs. I know with my guests I've shortened the word count to 5-600 words and part of that is because I show the cover and blurb with buy buttons.
ReplyDeleteFor those that read a huge blog list on a daily basis (bless their hearts), short makes it easy for them. There are a few blogs where I tend to skim, most I read verbatim, especially on a topic that interests me.
Interesting point about the SEO and that was my understanding as well.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
R. Mac:
ReplyDeleteI even included a visual for the ladies, too! ;-)
D.G.:
I am like you which is why I do not like Twitter or even Facebook where you have to be so, so short!
Wendy:
LOL. Yes, no short tempers here please!
Alex:
People will always read your posts. You've developed quite a following or fan base. But we mere mortals have to not tax the patience of our guests! :-)
Robyn:
Thanks for mentioning my use of colors. I was afraid it might be irritating to my readers. But I was also concerned that without the colors the length of my posts (though good for SEO) would bore my readers and they would drop out!
Thanks for being my friend! :-)
Helena:
We all have to fight the inertia of growling older with increased exercise. Ugh!!! And the life lessons from my experiences seem to zip right over my head, too! :-)
Sia:
Like you, my posts used to be longer, and the font size smaller -- I have learned better!!
Yes, if someone is going to daily read my posts and others, I really want to be kind and encourage them to come back!!
Thanks for visiting and chatting.
Everyone:
My internet provider fizzled yesterday night so that is why I was so late replying and why I have not visited as I would want!!