How long will you read a blog for? Research suggests 95seconds is the average. Is that all? One blogger suggests Blog posts don’t become a blog until 250 words. Another tries to keep blogs short, but regularly breaks the mythical 1k words barrier. So what is correct?
Personally I’m all for the longer post but well written and to the point posts are as important. Yes I know that’s me blown out of the water.
Since my research (conducted over 10 mins with a mars bar in one hand) I have the following information to provide to you my loyal reader.
- Subject specific posts and blogs are longer. Technical or subject specific blogs Lengths are often over 500 words per post.
- Generic blogs are shorter, see. Down as low as 25 words per post.
- The worse the quality of speeling adn gramer, the less hits, in terms of re-visits.
- More blog posts do not always mean more readers.
There is a saying ”Build It and They Shall Come”. While this is correct for a shopping mall, it’s not true for writing in general. Quantity does not win over quality. Unless you are reading national enquirer.
George Orwell wrote about several rules of writing. While this graphic is easy to read it’s not 100% accurate.
These rules explained Mr Orwell’s Original text here
Most of those are simple enough. While I understand no. 3 It’s something I know I often do wrong with out thinking about. Let’s explore :
Number 3. Never use a passive when you can use an active. While I understand the idea, I have problems applying it.
The best description I can find (that I can get to grips with ) is :
Active voice : The subject performs the action. For instance : I threw the ball, Bill Gates founded Microsoft, The president made a mistake.
Passive Voice: The subject receives the action : The fire was started by the cow. Microsoft was founded in 1975, mistakes were made.
Here are a few more. It kinda confuses me in a way. the dog bit me, Vs I was bitten by the dog. That links into rule number 1 as well.
How about number5, Metaphor definition while that ones plain to see (dammit) it’s hard to avoid. writing new text that doesn’t steal from others is hard. And it’s even hard if you read a lot. I do read a lot of fantasy and Sci-Fi, I guess I’m prone to using too much text to say what I want.
The more I think about it the more I realise that I break these guilelines on a regular basis. I shall endeavour to do better.
I refer you to my first question : “What is correct?” With reference to the best length of a blog?
My answer? Any I guess.