Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Have we forgotten that blogging is about adding value to the lives of our readers? As authors, we’re not working tirelessly toward hitting that big, shiny publish button simply to say that we’ve put out another article. We’re doing it because we have something to say…and because what we have to say is important.
Let that mindset fuel your writing style and let it determine the length of your posts. If you’re continuing to write on an article simply because you haven’t met some arbitrary number that you’ve set then you might not actually be adding value to the post. You can have a short post that’s still filled with amazing value.
If you don’t believe me, just check out Seth Godin’s blog. Most of his articles are no more than 3 or 4 paragraphs and yet the stories and principles that I find on his site are incredible. I never visit his site when I don’t feel like I’ve learned or been reminded of something amazingly valuable.
Length doesn’t matter. Value does. Your post could be 200 words and if it delivers information, appeals to the emotions, compels the readers to want more, and delivers an award-worthy reading experience then it has done far more than a worthless piece of rubbish that happens to be as long as the experts recommend it to be.
The Trial Begins: Post Length vs. Post Value
There are several aspects to this topic that you should carefully consider when working to determine how long you should make your articles.
- Length Doesn’t Matter: Focus on delivering your information and entertaining your readers and not on meeting an arbitrary number of words.
- Variety is the Spice of Life: Mixing it up is a great answer. Write some short and sassy posts and publish some long, more detailed articles.
- Cater to People’s Attention Spans: People have short attention spans so make your long articles fun to read and easy to skim.
- Information is the Key: If you haven’t covered your topic then keep writing. If you have covered it then stop writing.
Build your articles with a focus on the quality of your content rather than the length of your content. Post length pales in importance when compared to the value of the information, the entertainment provided, the ease of consumption and the excitement in the delivery.
Dave Doolin said:
Yes, it’s proven, length doesn’t matter all that much.
Only quality.
Sure, some people won’t read long articles, but some people will, and those are people to think, reflect and engage. Love him or not, Steve Pavlina proves this every time he posts one of his 5000 word plus articles.
On the other hand, I’ve seen too many people make an excuse for short, when really, it’s not that it’s short, it’s that it’s crappy.
From my experience, I’ve hit home runs ranging from 200 words to 2500 words. I’ve also struck out on the same range.
But my readers expect a wide range of material from me. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be my readers. Heh.
And that’s the real crux, which you nail in this article: put out the best you can, short or long.
I’m feeling stoked for some reason.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
I think you summed it up quite perfectly when you said that you’ve hit home runs in that range and that you’ve also struck out. It really is all about the quality as you can attest to. Write awesome stuff. Make your readers love what you have to say. That’s what really counts.
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Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend said:
What’s curious is I rarely know in advance.
I just go out swinging for the bleachers every time.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend » That’s the way to go after it. Why publish something if you don’t think that it’s the best that you can do?
Christopher Hopper said:
Value trumps all. But I do my best to keep that value in a palatable bite…no specific length, but normally no kore than 1,500 words. Again, it’s a bite. “Meals” my readers can buy in my novels (100,000+ words), but value must be present there, too. Good post. ch:
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Nicholas Cardot said:
You’re right. I was writing my articles for this coming week at Site Sketch 101 and one of my articles began to grow beyond what I felt people would enjoy but I still wanted to give all of the information so I broke it into two separate articles that will be published back to back on two consecutive days this week. People do need bite size snacks that they can consume in one sitting.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Joe Boyle said:
I agree, Value destroys Length.
No matter how long your post is, if it has no quality, who will want to read it? By keeping things at an okay length (375-600) words, you can easily write high quality content – attracting readers due to the article’s length and quality.
Yeah, you can argue that people might not want to read something really long, but think about it… If it is great quality, people will see it. Once they see it, they’ll share it with their friends – making it more likely that the people who are saying “700 words? Never!” have interest. All you need is quality (or value) and you’ll have a hit.
Nicholas Cardot said:
You’re exactly right. If it’s great quality then that will absolutely trump how long it is and people will be compelled to read it. That’s how it works.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Shane said:
I agree that you should never be chasing some arbitrary “required” or “optimal” word-count (be it high or low).
If you’re blogging because you want to blog, write as little or much as you want.
If you’re trying to make money/get conversions and clicks, test what works best and then do that (and perhaps consider something other than blogging… but that’s just my opinion).
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Nicholas Cardot said:
That may just be your opinion but it’s a good one. The key really is finding what works best for your personality and for your audience. You’ll find that different audiences are attracted to different types of content. Figure out what they like and what you like and go for it.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Sanford said:
Seth’s blog is a great example.
He takes one idea and gives it the length he needs to convey it. But then, he posts at least once a day.
And it is always a joy to find his email in your in box.
Some authors can string together a series of ideas and make a great, entertaining and/or provocative post.
Some authors will give you a great back-story to lead up to the final idea.
But, sadly, often bloggers drone on and on giving justifications and sales pitchs without grabbing the readers interest.
All this to say, give me quality over quantity any day.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Good stuff, Sanford. People drone on and on trying to make it look like they have a lot to say but people can see right through that. Once when I was a kid I was rambling on about some nonsense and a friend of mine looked at me and said, “You’re talking a lot but your not saying very much at all.” I think that is what a lot of bloggers do.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Mike Stenger said:
Totally agree Nick! I don’t know how many different posts I see where they’re awesome and they’re all different lengths.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Me too, Mike. Me too. Awesome can come in all shapes and sizes.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Bruce said:
I prefer shorter posts anyways. I’ve got too much to do during the day to spend a lot of time in my reader. Not to say I prefer shortness over value.
Nicholas Cardot said:
Some people like them shorter. I’ll be honest, I probably like shorter posts a little bit better than long ones. They’re easier to get through.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Dennis Edell said:
One of the “rules” for my guest bloggers states, “Posts should be a minimum of 300 words (which is nothing)– If you can say what you need to in less, OK. But don’t leave too much to the imagination. We’re here to help, ideally in one stop…not making the reader search for meanings.”
On the other hand, make it personal too, but don’t drag it…like I do sometimes. LOL
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Nicholas Cardot said:
I have a similar rule for my guest posters because I often find that people have a difficult time articulating what they have to say so they make it uncomfortably short. It’s a good idea to impose a number for guest posters, but if you have someone you trust, you know how it is, you just let them write passionately.
My Latest Blog Post: Group Discussion: Post Length vs. Post Value
Dennis Edell said:
Exactly right Nicolas. The “rules” are basically common sense, and more for the first time guest.
Once someone has 2-3 or more articles done, we both know what’s what.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Dennis Edell » Exactly. There are some people who I just unleash when they guest post at the site. There are others who I find myself editing their articles for grammar and such. You quickly learn how are the ones you don’t have to impose rules on. Speaking of it, when are you going to write up a guest post for Site Sketch 101?
Dennis Edell said:
I’m getting to that; thanks for the offer!
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Dennis Edell » Awesome! I can’t wait.
Connie Ragen Green said:
Great ideas here, Nick. When I was first blogging in 2006 I was focused on filling up my blogs with relevant content. Soon I realized that content is great, but that interaction is better. I will think of your post as I continue to build my online businesses.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Connie Ragen Green » Honestly, I think it boils down to three things: education, engagement, and entertainment. Combine those three things and I guarantee that you’ll build an audience around your writing.
fandy said:
yes, no matter how length your article if just say useless, it invaluable and waste time.
focus how useful your article for reader
Michael said:
I am trying to get a healthy Mix about both. SAS but true, that google likes a lot of words. So you have to try and find the best solution.
Web Hosting UK said:
Of course value matters the most but it really a blogger needs to work out what length post suits their writing style and blog topic making sure the posts are to the point.
The most important factor is the quality of the content and how the keywords are placed to attract people .
Reza Winandar said:
Long posts are good in SEO but it makes readers feel bored quickly, short posts are easy to read and follow but it’s contains just a few keywords.
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Aaron Darko said:
Yes Nick I agree 100%
Its ALL about Quality not Quantity.
Provide outstanding value every time and you will get noticed.
Dont just publish a post for the sake of it, make sure you are adding value to people and they will love you for it and turn into your raving fans.
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Sashs Krawatte said:
Hi,
i do not agree with you with this-> “Its ALL about Quality not Quantity.”
In my opinion:
As longer the text are, you can put more Words maybe Keyword into it, but you also have to be careful that the article is nice to read!
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