How to Write a Short Post
Recently, I was asked to write a short post for the San Francisco Writers Community, and my first attempt, was well, long. I did write a second post that the editor liked much better. He said, “Send me more, even shorter!”
Shorter!
I’m a novelist. I like to write long!
Luckily, I like the challenge of writing short too!
At a recent Breakfast Blogging Club workshop, I presented on how to write a short post.
Let’s start with why you want to write short.
- People scan the web. They often don’t take the time to read a long post.
- Short posts can break up the rhythm of what you normally write.
- Short posts are fun to read on mobile devices. Yes, think of how your readers are receiving your blog.
What exactly is a short post? A subjective decision, to be sure. Typical posts are around 500 words. By short, we mean about 100-250 words. They take only a few minutes to read, and are easy to scan.
Now for the meat. How to write a short post!
- Start with a hook. Grab your readers interest with a relevant tidbit, often in the form of a story.
- Answer the what, why, and how of your morsel.
- Keep your target audience in mind and speak directly to them.
- Use simple language, including action verbs and tangible nouns.
- End with a call to Action.
Send us a link to your short post!
Please Subscribe
Thanks for being part of the Breakfast Blogging Club. Let’s succeed together!
If you’re new here I hope you’ll like what you see and take a moment to subscribe, or check out of Quick Start Guide to Writing Your Blog. It’s a brilliant way to stay motivated and inspired plus it’s totally free.
We’d love it if you take a moment to add this to Stumble, Digg or Delicious because that will help us get more readers. Thank you! We appreciate it.
c. 2010 Beth Barany, Founder of Breakfast Blogging Club All Rights Reserved.
Comments
2 Comments on How to Write a Short Post
-
Lisa Burdige on
Wed, 16th Jun 2010 1:33 pm
-
Beth on
Wed, 16th Jun 2010 5:14 pm
I’m totally having that problem. I have plenty to say, I just say it long. Way too long.
Lisa, You wrote a nice short comment, though!
