One of the most frequently asked questions among bloggers is how long your blog posts need to be. What is the magic number to get the best results? Truth be told, there is not a magic number. It depends on you and your audience. What is it you want to accomplish? I think of blog length as a personal preference. Like when you get your hair cut, you decide how much you want cut off. This is the same with blogging; you decide how long or short you want each of your posts. Let us examine some popular blogs with varying lengths.
Seth Godin
If you look at Seth Godin, he is a successful marketer and author. He has one of the most popular blogs in the world and you will notice the majority of his blog posts are short. His posts are generally between 100-200 words or a couple of paragraphs. Shorter posts work well for Godin. Why? Because it is his style. It is what keeps his audience engaged. He does this by using a conversational writing style. This is one of the key aspects of blogging, writing as if you were having a conversation with someone. Do your blogs feel like you are talking directly to someone?
One of the benefits of having a shorter blog is you have a higher chance of keeping your audience engaged. Shorter blogs allow for fewer distractions for those with a short attention span. However, shorter blogs aren’t always easy to write. If you are short on time, writing down some of your thoughts might seem easy until you have 7 paragraphs finished. Think about how you can get your point across using concise language.
Buffer
Let’s take a look at Buffer’s blog. Many of their posts are longer and often hit the 2,000-word count. Does the length of their posts mean they are better than Seth Godin? No. Does it mean the quality is better? No. How many people are reading their blog post in its entirety? While I can’t answer that question, my guess is they wouldn’t keep writing long blog posts if their audience wasn’t reading them. They wouldn’t continue if they weren’t getting responses on their posts, social media and other platforms. They wouldn’t continue if they weren’t gaining more customers.
Longer blogs work well for companies such as Buffer. We know that sometimes it can be difficult to get your point across in a few paragraphs. Longer posts aren’t a bad thing. It just means you have to keep your audience engaged throughout. Make sure you can provide enough examples and visuals to help get your point across.
Your blog should benefit your customers and audience. You should always write with them in mind. However, you should write about subjects you are passionate about. Think about what knowledge you have to share to the world. If you are focused on hitting a certain word count, your blog post could suffer. Why force something? Writing should come naturally. If you only have a couple paragraphs to share and it is effective, you have nothing left to say. It is as simple as that. Don’t let word count hinder your blog.
Why should I blog?
Another common question people ask is, why should I blog? Blogging is your chance to be heard. It is the perfect opportunity for your business to build an online reputation. But keep in mind, blogging is also great for individuals too. I know family members and friends that have started blogs as a hobby or as a side job. I used to have a blog years ago but it was more like a journal. It allowed me to get my thoughts down in writing. Blogging can sometimes help clear your head. You can even learn a thing or two about yourself.
We know that people are connected to the Internet 24/7, which makes it crucial for your business to have another outlet for learning more about who you are and what you can offer. Share what you know! You shouldn’t keep all that knowledge inside. It is meant to be shared. We use our blog to share our knowledge with others. We share programming problems with our solutions, design examples, marketing strategies, and much more. Blogging provides your audience with answers for FREE! Who doesn’t like free? Below is a short list for reasons why you should blog.
Reasons for Blogging:
- Builds an audience
- Establishes connections
- Free advertisement for your company
- Helps others
- Shares your knowledge
- Opportunity for discovery and learning
- Share your story with others
- Establishes authority in your industry
In closing…
The length of your blog is up to you. Always remember that there is no right or wrong way to write your blog. Find a way that works best for you so you can build an audience and following. Discover the needs and interests of your audience so you can share your knowledge on the subject. Find a way to help others through your writing.
“I think enthusiasm is the answer to passionate writing.” – Jerome Lawrence
