How long of an article is too long? Are you losing readers because of the length of your posts?

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How long of an article is too long? Are you losing readers because of the length of your posts?

Today was a pretty light day for me. The only thing I had going today was scheduling two closings for tomorrow. To be honest it was pretty relaxing compared to what has been going on with buyers and sellers lately.

This gave me an opportunity to read a lot of posts and my eyes were starting to glaze over at the length of some of these posts and this was information I wanted to learn about. As an Ambassador for Activerain, one of the things we teach is don’t make your articles too long.

BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION?

Simple, make a series and break it down in to a bunch of smaller posts and leave your audience wanting more. They will come back tomorrow for more information, or even better yet, they may call you for an appointment.

So, if you have a rather large article, say more than 500 words, I suggest you break it up into a series and draw your audience back for tomorrow, like comics in a newspaper do.

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

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I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
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Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 09/08/2009 11:46 PM

Comments (93)

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93 Comments on How long of an article is too long? Are you losing readers because of the length of your posts?

SEP

2009

I agree Todd, short, sweet, and to the point! It tends to help those of us that have shorter attention spans too.

I have also had that eyes glazing over effect....i think it's happening right about......nahhh just kidding!

SEP

2009

For the most part I try to keep my posts short enough to hold the reader's attention.

I tend to move on to other posts myself if I see one that is too long.

Too busy!! Not enought time for novels!

Excellent advice, Todd. Many people do not have the attention span for longer articles.

Right on Todd! All we have is our time - I need to work productively so I simply choose not to spend 2 hours on a post if I can get a good mesaage across - with the appropriate Google Juice - in 51 words. Not all the time - but 800 words will lose me.

As they used to say in Dragnet, "Just the facts, mam."

Hi Todd...Glad to Hear you have two closing tomorrow, Good News :O))

Cheers, Now You Can put up your Favorite sign all over...SOLD

Todd - I suffered from this affliction early on. My post were simply too long and too technical. The result - virtually no comments. So, I started breaking them down and adding bullet points, graphics and calls to action. It helped make my blog more readable.

Great advice on making posts reader-friendly, Todd. Web usability studies have found that many users skim rather than reading laterally, and monitor displays can be tiring on our eyes after long periods of reading. Short posts broken up with bullet points, color and graphics will be appealing to a wide range of users.

You are so right-- there are looooong articles that might be meaningful -- but we can't get through them.

Todd... this is one of those to where I agree and disagree... I truly think 700 to 750 is long enough. Many of mine tend to be closer to 875 to 950. I just wrote one last night that got featured and it was 935 words. I truly don't see how you could break this particular blog into two parts, without it losing the main focus point. Actually, I am right on top of you on the feature page, if you want to take a look.

Overall, I think some are very long and boring. Pictures do break them up at times. And some are very good and to the point when short. But in my opinion, some that are short, in fear of being long, just flat our stink. And if they would have been filled with more info, it might have been interesting. Lastly, in my opinion, it also depends on your audience. I know that I get many consumers that read my long blogs, telling me that they are chalked full of into. Just food for thought. As a woman would sometimes say, it's not the size, but the motion of the ocean... lol PS.. an no, this isn't directed at me... lol

Oh yea, one more thing..I know more than a few members on AR want short, so they can get their 10 comments in to get their 250 pts. I can tell by the comments. It would be pretty neat to do a study on this.

PPS... and there might be some behind the scenes of AR that will tell you 500.. but I have also talked to some so-called experts of blogging that will say 750. If you really think about it, 750 words isn't really that much. Just food for thought.

jeff belonger

Todd... one more thing. My comments sometimes tend to be mini blogs... lol The comment above was 289 words. But I just don't believe in half ass comments. If I am commenting, it's because I want to leave my opinion(s) and to be thought provoking. You usually can't do both in 50 words.... thanks

Jeff Belonger

Todd:

Okay: short, sweet, to the point. Makes sense. Making the text readable...clearly you are great at that.

But didn't I see a post the other day that said post ought to be at least 300 words in order to appeal to Google's spiders effectively?

I agree, some of the articles (posts) are much too long. Generally, that is when I start skimming over it instead of reading the whole thing.

I agree, a blog needs to be short enough to read in just a few minutes, which is usually all the time I have. And Todd, I think a comment should be a comment, not a blog in itself. But, hey, that's just my opinion.

Todd, this is near and dear to my heart. I do read a "few" long ones, but that is rare. If they don't capture me with the story, I read about 1.2 and move on.

I would much rather see a series.

People skim blogs, that is a fact.

Todd-good post, and very interesting discussion!!!!

Do you have any thought about length of comments? I am new to AR and I have made some long comments.

Given the choice between reading Todd's post or Jeff's comment ... I'll take Todd's post every time.

Well said Todd...I agree. I am still struggling with figuring out how long is too long for my posts. I can relate though because when I see those posts that are "multiple scrolls" long I can't help but exit out and move on to the next. It's very rare I find a long post that grabs my attention so well in the beginning that I continue to read through the entire thing...Now if I could just take my own advice... :)

Chanda panda

Todd - Couldn't agree with you more. The series suggestion is a great idea.

Todd:

Blog posts are supposed to make a point and keep the reader's attention. I have usually read advice that says not to exceed 500 words. When it goes on for much more than that it turns into an article more than a blog post. Since many people skim blogs, I don't think the long ones are quite as effective.

500 words, white space and a picture or two sounds like a winner to me.

I have been guilty on numerous occasions of writing MUCH too much about certain topics. I need to take these suggestions to heart. Thanks, Todd.

Yes, length is a factor when I make that instant decision to read or not read, but length is not the only one. Some people I know to be compelling, and they make their posts easy-reading with images, different fonts and white space. But I agree with you... some posts should be split into a series, and other posts should just plain eliminate all the repetition and rambling. LOL. (Maybe I should practice what I preach.)

Very good post. I know personally if I come across an article that is too long I rarely make it through- it is all about being short, simple, and sweet.

It's not the quantity...it's the quality and the timing of posting something that is timely or just what the reader was looking for! Good post!

some blogs require more length, some don't. i suggest rereading lengthy blogs and doing some editing, if possible.

Hi Todd, This is such great advice. I rarely have time to read through long posts (and especially if they are in one page-long unbroken paragraph; that is hard on the eyes).

Ah yes, great point, Todd. We don't want to bore people and have them leave! Al & Peggy Cunningham did a great job with a series of 7 posts to get their info across. It was great information, and you were just WAITING for that next post to come! Great point, thanks, Todd!

Thank you everyone for the great response. Jeff, I have been guilty of not reading some of yours because the length of them. But, most of the time it is just great information and can keep your attention, with bullets, pictures and graphs. Not just a run on sentence like a lot of the posts I skip over.

As for comments... I don't care if they are long or not as long as the stay a part of the conversation. Many comments do become their own posts and get featured over the original article that inspired them. So, if you think your comment is getting long, write a post and link back to the article that inspired yours.

Todd - It's ok, you can call me out by name. I understand. Haha. As someone who is of the "long blog" variety, I have trouble with it. I know the idea of breaking them down into smaller series posts can help, but like Jeff I agree - sometimes the impact is lost in breaking it into two or more pieces.

I do need to work on this and find a balance that satisfies myself and my readers though. All long and no short makes Matt's blog a hard read.

Well put. I am doing series and making a page on my main web site so that they are aggragated together. Some I am going to do a video series for also.

I agree with you and Jeff. There are certain posts that need to run the distance. But if I can't get to the heart of the matter in 500 words (which is a challenge for me as well) then I just have to run the distance. However, when I see long posts, too, I tend to pass on them unless they are very captivating. I look for posts that have topics that engage me first, but if I click on them, then I really want them to get to the meat of the matter. I'm kinda A.D.D. in that way. Tell me what you want to say and let's move on. Sometimes, though, like Jeff says it's appropriate, but even Jeff has a tendency to be a bit long for my liking from time to time.

Todd LOL I dont have that problem. You have to have readers to lose them and my subscriptions dont seem to be going anywhere.

Jeff Belonger makes one of the best points I have read in any comment stream. Receiving a thoughtful, well written comment that is longer than a sentence is most rewarding. Many times it seems as if the 'commentors' are merely looking for somthing they can write a few words about, get their points and move on. Very few AR blog readers take the time to express their responses in a manner that is long enough to be helpful to the original blogger as feedback.

Try this: If you have good feedback information about a post, go ahead and write a well rounded comment. Then, copy the comment and use it as a post if you believe the information might be interesting to a larger audience.

Writing this comment has given me a good idea for a post and you'll be able to find it soon!

Todd - I agree with you on this. I have the attention span of a 5 year old, and if it takes more than 3 minutes to read, then I'm on to the next one.

Todd,

I figure if you have to scroll to read my blog, I better have some relevant photos in it, or it better be very well-formatted and very tightly written to bring value. Or both.

Brief is Beautiful!

Hello Tod,

So true! I always thing "less is more" I get totally bored with too long articles and leave the post.

If I'm really interested in the topic for a particular reason, I might read on but that is unusaul.

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh homes

I like your suggestion. I know, for myself, I tend not to read real lenghty posts. It's information overload.

Todd: Your article has given me pause ... and I'm going to have to re-examine myself and my contributions. Thanks for the tips ... and the suggestions! I'm still trying to learn how to be a better blogger here on AR.

Gene

My posts usually get edited way down. On my WordPress blog and on my old original RealTown blog many idea usually ends up being three posts. Or at least two.

ActiveRain really, really needs to allow us to schedule posts in the future.

Some people write long and involved well. Others don't. Some writers do short really boring.

There are different readers for different writers. On RealTalk a lot of people used to try to shout down one long winded poster based on their personal preference. I started out reading him believing he was full of hot air but came to like his long convoluted posts about real estate. Different strokes for different folks....

Hi Todd,

I love the series route. Great recommendation for us long winded folks!

Kathy B

I like the idea of breaking up a large article into several posts. Gives me more exposure, plus I too don't have much time to write in my busy day. I enjoy reading great posts even if they are long, but sometimes don't have time to read longer articles. Thanks for the tip!

Todd, I know that I am guilty of not reading long posts --- every now and then, I will see a long one that I feel that I have to read, but this is rare. I have been guilty before (in my earlier days of AR) of writing ones that were too long.

Mama Liz

Todd - This is excellent advice. I've come across a few posts that are way too long.

I say that you are right on the money. Whenever I see a long article, I usually am just not willing to make the commitment! The long articles and a YouTube video's over 2 min are usually deal breakers. With all the infomation coming at us, it needs to be short or will be lost!

Todd - Guilty! I also have a tendency to be a little long winded in both my posts and my comments. When people constantly tell you that you should make your comment a post of your own, then you know you've said too much,

Donne: Laughing!!!!! You have written lots a great posts on my blog and I love you for that!

I chop ruthlessly after I finish a post. And I mean ruthlessly. There are so many paragraphs on the cutting room floor of my office that they could make their own book.

I am also guilty of skipping over long long, posts.

I've been trying to write all my blogs into Word first so that it can give me a word count, and also a Grade Level. I try to write for adults, not 5th graders! I do skip post if they're too long, and especially if there's no pictures!

Disagree. A post should be as long as it needs to be; no more, no less. Quality is a far more important consideration than quantity in this reader's eyes. 200 words or 2000, I will read if the content is exceptional. One thing that is not oft discussed is where the reader goes after quickly digesting a post that is less filling. Seems to me that the shorter post which can be enjoyed and immediately forgotten along with two sips of coffee may lead a reader to click right through to the next bite-sized morsel. If you want a lot of quick views, this will suffice, but wouldn't you rather your audience mill around a little bit? Perhaps linger after the credits roll? Lengthier posts may cause those with shorter attention spans to move on once they see the meatier content, but is this the audience you really want to capture anyway? As I've opined on numerous occasions, a blog is as much an exercise in who you want to repel as attract. I would rather have a smaller number of loyal readers than a larger number of hit and run readers who appreciate brevity more than discourse. Just me, though.

I concur. I don't have time to read all the long-winded posts. Can we say "edit" boys and girls?? Also, the words that are used in posts and comments that NO ONE would EVER say in a natural conversation amazes me too!

Todd... on the whole, I agree. I know I am totally guilty of long winded blogs on occassion. "And, there lies the point." On AR we refer to everything written as a blog, which is a log, as in web log... But many of us are actually writing articles and short stories. Thanks for the reminder...

Totally agree! Lately people have been getting pretty long winded! AND NO PICTURES! Rene brings up a great point about us moving into short stories? Paul writes great stuff but it is always long. Does everything have to be so meaty?

Jeff Belonger, you totally crack me up with your 'master of the obvious' comments. Oh, you were serious?

Looks like the consensus is shorter well written post. I agree. Although there are a few folks that did write some longer technical posts (Ryan S above) that I thought were excellent and I did enjoy those. Glad to hear he's shortening them up and making them easier to read. I will be more award of keeping mine short too.

As for comments - sometimes they do get long but I like it when people have thoughtful or insightful points to add to the conversation. And - great idea to turn those into a post and link back. Done!

Todd, very true. Some articles are so meaty it is hard to wade through so much material. I like if you are going to do a series have them consecutively so the reader doesn't have to search for all the pieces.

Hi Todd - Guilty as charged! I really got into a post I did late last night before heading to bed. It got longer and longer and I thought about breaking it up, but I was pooped, so I broke up the post a bit with illustrations, and then hit the sack. Now I feel guilty.

Ditto that Susan! Todd, I love how the styling of your post reflected the message. It was very pleasing to the eye.

Accurate post. I know that I want my information bullet point. Although I find that when I post a blog, I try to keep it to a minimum. SHORT BUT SWEET:)

I totally agree! There are a great deal of blogs which have really good information and are well written, in a text book sort of way, but that I only read about halfway through and "yawn"...move on. If its going to be longer it needs to be much more conversational...and very interesting. I like the "write it then cut out half of it" rule. Most of what is said doesn't need to be said!

--Kim

Todd: I must confess … when I open a post to read and it looks like a book, I click off and move on to something else. This is a valuable tip for those who have something of value to say and risk losing readers simply because it is too much in one post.

Wordy C loves being wordy (LOL). I can't give up the long posts... I have most of my fun on them although I have been known to write in reasonable lengths (LMAO). I think it will always boil down to flow and content. If it flows and keeps them interested they will make it to the end of the post and comment regardless of the length. Most of my long posts generate interesting off forum e-mail. My short and medium posts generally inspire comments and phone calls. I think every post is unique and each reader discovering a writer will decide to read or not read it. :-)

Paul, I love your comment and second it. :-) People frequently tell me they have returned to the same post multiple times because there was so much to get they really wanted to digest it. They don't say this on my shorties, they only say it about the medium and long ones. Oh well... :-)

You know what really drives me crazy too - posts that are wider than the screen, such as the featured post above yours about skipping the $8000 tax credit. Please don't get upset but it is just terrible trying to read that post.

I hate splitting hairs. But, this is one of those posts where both sides of the debate are equally relevant.

Todd, I agree with your premise that being verbose on a post can be a turn off for many readers, especially the consumers. Your point that we should break up deep posts into a series is one that we should all consider, when it is necessary, convenient, and proper - when doing so would actually serve our purposes better.

However, Both Jeff and Paul have valid points - the length of the post may be dictated by the content, which may not allow for segmentation as you propose, and if the intent is to captivate your audience with the info, and keep those who are seriously reading it, then the length really won't matter...and I personally would not want people just popping by and leaving, never to return. So if I write a very long post that has that effect, then I'm better off for it.

I find it is also an easier read when it is broken up with pictures and white space.

I don't mind long posts, as long as the paragraphs are not too long, and has photos to break it up some. There have been a few long posts that go on and on, not enough breaks, and no photos. Posts needs to be written and formatted so they are easy on the eyes.

Todd - I think this is very valuable information. People only have an attention span of so long. If you are writing an interesting post that gets too long, break it into another post. Your readers will be anticipating that next post, and it will give them a reason to come back as well.

Good Work Todd!

Its more fun to read lots of different blog's than just one!

With so many people posting, posts need to be shorter. It's hard to scan, much less read them all, if everyone writes an epistle.

Sarah In Nashville

I agree. There are some blogs that I start to read and sometimes do not finish because I lost interest. In some cases, I wont even start them. It depends on the writer. If I am captured already because I tend to agree with or just 'like' your style, I'll stick around and see how the post ends. But if its someone I dont know, I typically will not read the entire post unless you captured me in the first few sentences.

I think that posts need to be interesting and to cover the topic they are trying to cover completely...if that means breaking them up into a series, then break them up. If that means livening up the post with bullets and numbered lists and images...do that. Do whatever the information being covered demands of you. There is no right and wrong...just get the information out there. Proofread your own work, save it as a draft before you publish it and go back and look at it as a subscriber to your blog would see it. Is it worthy of their time to read it? Would it keep their interest? Is it visually appealing?? There are different types of people out there who enjoy different types of reading...trying to stuff everything into a cookie-cutter pattern of so many words with so many images per x# of words...it just stifles creativity. Yes, of course there can be certain guidelines...but they should definitely allow for a great deal of flexibility.

Lyn - I just tend to write when I have something to say, so the posts end up on the long side. Just how I operate. I suppose I could just throw a post of the day up for lighter fare, but it's not my process. Completely understand and respect that it won't please everyone as a reader. It's just my way.

As to some of the other comments I am reading about respecting the busy agent's time by maintaining a certain brevity, I challenge everyone to decide who their ultimate audience is. While it is great to interact with other bloggers and build up a network of potential referral partners, etc, my focus is primarily the consumer. If my blog has been found via google search, I don't want the potential client to click away after finding 5 lines of content that does not adequately address their interest. Some consumers, like fellow bloggers, will bounce if the article looks too daunting, and that's just fine. Those that appreciate what we each bring to the table as individuals should be our primary target audience anyway. One size fits all blogging does not strike me as overly transparent, or even productive. X number of words, Y number of images per post ... how will that make any kind of lasting impression when prepackaged into the same format as every other aspiring Real Estate wordsmith? Short and sweet posts will attract those who like short and sweet posts. Long and involved posts will attract those who prefer long and involved. Insinuating that either is wrong or right is 100% conjecture. I do find it interesting, though, that many seem to be more focused on gearing their blogging habits towards what other members of AR are likely to have time or inclination to read rather than the consumer. It's cool to get a bunch of comments, but that is not the end game. Not mine, at least.

"Hi. My name is Paul, and I'm unrepentantly verbose."

Todd,

I have a few 10,000 to 15,000 word articles. But, I look at 1,000 words as about the maximum for a post.

It's easy to simply break a long article into a series of Parts.

Brian

Can you write a blog on the amount of coments a post should have. I think I just spent an hour reading the responses to your short and sweet post!

I tr 2 kp cmmts shrt as poss. Do u wnt 2 rd a lot of brng stuff?

I keep things short. I don't have the time or inclination to read more than a few minutes on any post!

BRAVO PAUL!!! AMEN AND WHOO HOO!!! Let's give a round of applause for the "unrepentantly verbose" who don't write for AR bloggers with ADD.

Like you Paul, I write for my local market and consumers and every week, I am getting calls and emails about the hyper local content and info that I post on my blog. My clients and prospects are looking for info and want to know everything they can about the specific programs I offer regardless of whether it's 500 words or 1000 words.

It's pretty easy to tell if a post got too long....if you actually READ the whole thing then find the comments to be not relevant or missing a BIG point that was made...BINGO! The skimming started right...about...there!

Good call. AND, people should leave shorter comments as they're hard to follow past a few sentences too!

"Hi. My name is Paul, and I'm unrepentantly verbose." ROTFLMAO!!! I guess that makes me on the road to vebal hell because I never shut up. I even talk in my sleep (LMAO).

I am guilty but am working on it...

Great advice. I think for members only posts, I tend to write longer posts, and use lots of paragraphs, bold, etc. For the public, I try to keep it short and sweet.

I plead guilty.. If I open a post and it's looooong and especially if there are no breaks in the words........ and I'm tired..... I hit the "back" button and go somewhere else.

Todd - you raise and excellent point. I use that as a guideline for folks when teaching about blogging. I try to adhere to it myself buy know some of mine get too long. Some I break down, but there are times when it just doesn't seem to make sense. Something to continue to watch, espcially when time for writing is short.

Jeff

Todd,

So true. Many readers, I hear, first scan over a blog for its length before even starting to read and if it is too long they'll skip it and go to the next one. Blog reader likes them informative but rather short.

I absolutely agree. Many folks read the post in between appointment etc....keep it short and to the point.

Hi Todd. It depends on the topic. Personally I will read super long posts if they interest me. If not... I skip them :-)

I absolutely love this -

"AMEN AND WHOO HOO!!! Let's give a round of applause for the "unrepentantly verbose" who don't write for AR bloggers with ADD"

I just tend not to worry about it. I've never been a particularly wordy writer - the opposite actually - and have been envious in the past of those who can write and write and write.

Many of my posts on my own blog go well over 500 words and that's fine - that's what it took to write the post. And I've left plenty of long comments - and have no problem whatsoever reading others' long comments. You've got something to say - say it!

Liz

I think it does depends on the content when it comes to length;however, I do notice some posts are very long and I find that I can barely read them. I do find that some of the longer posts usually have great pictures and that just keeps me reading.

SEP

2009

This message really hit home with me. My blogs have a tendency to get too long. Breaking them up into a series is an excellent solution.

SEP

2009

I guess I will stop feeling guilty for writing short posts, huh? I am really glad to hear this!

SEP

2009

Todd, I think some writers have a passion to express a good bit of information. But if it's all about relating with the reader and what they are looking for I don't have a value for writing LONG when the viewer reads SHORT.

OCT

2009

I am late to the party here, but I wanted to say that you had a pretty good post. Also, going along with your post, good use of bold and larger text. I felt like my brain took your post in quickly and effectively because of the layout.

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Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert)

Beaverton, OR

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Knipe Realty

Address: Office Address: 7420 SW Bridgeport Road #210 Portland, OR 97224 Serving: Beaverton, Tigard, Aloha, Hillsboro, Tualatin, Portla, Serving: Beaverton, Tigard, Aloha, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Sherwood, Tualatin, Wilsonville, West Linn, OR

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