How Long Should My Blog Posts Be?
When I started blogging I thought long and hard about post length. My first inclination was to create long scholarly posts filled with invigorating information. Research from several well known blogs suggested that this was the best bet. So off I went into my land of blogging ecstasy.
Four posts in, I was in deep trouble. Those long scholarly posts weren't flowing. Those magnanimous ideas were buried somewhere deep in the recesses of my brain. Deep in an area that didn't exist.
After more research and soul searching I formed a thesis. Blogs fall in one of four categories:
1. Microblogs - Extremely short blogs with witty content.
2. Short Blogs - Blogs whose posts are usually two paragraphs at a maximum with a focus on high level data or information.
3. Medium Blogs - Blogs whose posts are normally three to four paragraphs.
4. Long Blogs - Blogs that have extremely long posts.
Once I realized this I decided to categorize myself. I felt that I was most effective as a short to medium length blogger. It's worked well in terms of attracting and maintaining an audience.
I actively seek guests to post on my blog. On one occasion, a guest turned in an extremely long post. I thought nothing of it and let it run. Two of my most active members let me know it was too long and they weren't going to bother reading it. That was enough to let me know that I was getting away from my core audience and style.
I learned that a blog's readership will ultimately consist of people who like your tone and want to converse with you. There are plenty of people in each bucket.
Don't force yourself into a category. Instead, write in your natural tone and length. The rest will take care of itself.
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