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How long should a blog post be?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

How long should a blog post be?How long should a blog post be? It’s a question that comes up a lot. And there is no “book” answer.

But after writing thousands of my little diatribes, I can offer some guidance based on my own experience that may be helpful.

Keep in mind that more is not always better. A blog post needs to be simple and succinct. The information should be meted out in a concise and deliberate manner.

Here’s my rule of thumb:

A blog post should take about one minute to read. No more, no less.

In today’s “I want it now and I want it fast” society it’s all the time that you can expect from a reader.

Use it wisely.

Comments (43)

Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

...and white space, please.  Some blogs make me cross-eyed in 5 seconds.

 

Love, love, love the squirrels...

 

Eve in Orlando

Nov 14, 2012 09:38 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oops, I tend to write a lot more than a minutes worth, but you have a great point about today's society wanting things short & sweet.  I'll have to keep this in mind for future posts.

Nov 14, 2012 09:50 PM
Potranco Realty
Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX
"Sold with Potranco Realty"

“I want it now and I want it fast” society......I agree short and to the point with links to a longer version, just my take I guess.

Thanks Richard

Nov 14, 2012 09:58 PM
Edie Czerniak
NextHome Advisors - Cape Coral, FL
My Only Purpose is to Deliver Successful Results

Thanks for the input.  I know I quit reading if post is long

Nov 14, 2012 10:00 PM
Nan Jester
Exit Real Estate Gallery Jacksonville Beach, FL - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Realtor, Exit Real Estate Gallery

I agree. I try to keep mine to a minimum. Who wants to read a diatribe? Most don't, I am sure.

Nov 14, 2012 10:12 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I read the first paragraph and the last if it is long post...wonder what I miss?

Nov 14, 2012 10:16 PM
Lanise Warrior-Johnson
Real Estate Brokers Services, Inc. - Compton, CA
Real Estate Specialist

Great suggestions, less is more!  Thank you for sharing. 

Nov 14, 2012 10:17 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Sorry I am going to disagree with you Richard and what looks like the majority of people commenting. Unless you are specifically talking about blogging on Active Rain this is not how it works in the real world.

You are making an incorrect assumption that when someone does an online search they are not going to read something that is long and detailed. When someone is looking for information on a topic that interests them or they are looking for an answer they will absolutely read it!!

I will give you the perfect example with a topic that people research all the time online in Real Estate....SHORT SALES. Nobody is going to be bored reading a long article on this if they want/need answers.

I also guarantee you that if we both wrote articles on short sales or any other real estate topics on our respective blogs and yours was 300 words and mine was 1000, your article would never be seen by the search engines for competitive keywords and mine would. Just do any research on algorithm changes with Google and you will see this is fact not opinion.

Now if you are talking about speaking to Realtors on Active Rain then ok I am sure you may lose a percentage of readers if the post is too long. Speaking to Realtors all day on AR is not what I would consider a productive use of my time though:)

Nov 14, 2012 11:25 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Richard, It's got to depend on topic.  I can in no way write a market report or subdivision report that contains what it needs to be contained and be read in a minute.  Part of my target is data driven, rational folks and they'll read as long as the information is relevant.  And our experience is those type of home sellers and buyers will have better loyalty once you prove your expertise.

Nov 15, 2012 12:17 AM
Tom Esposito
Alpharetta Home Solutions - Alpharetta, GA

Thanks for that info.  I've been wrestling with the length as well as writing my first blog.  Not knowing how long it should be without rambling on and on was part of my fear. 

Nov 15, 2012 12:31 AM
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

Thank you for that quick synopsis- and yes I agree- I get bored reading the really long blogs unless it is a story about an experience!

Nov 15, 2012 01:00 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

Richard, 
Nice short and succinct post!  I write long long drafts of posts, then go back and make it as short as possible by culling out the unecessary stuff from it.

Nov 15, 2012 01:02 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Richard, we agree.  Some posts are so long there is no way we take the time to read or even can figure out the point being made.

Nov 15, 2012 01:54 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I think you are right.  I also think well laid out post with paragraphs and headers makes it easier to read (or skim).

Nov 15, 2012 05:02 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

In marketing there's an age-old battle between those who prefer long copy and those who swear by short copy.

The real answer is that copy should be as long as it takes to convey the message - and no longer. Thus, rambling is out.

As long as you're holding the reader's interest and giving them information they want or can use, the length isn't important.

Nov 15, 2012 07:13 AM
EMILIA B COOPER, REALTOR® SFR.NCHSE.AHWD
LAROSA REALTY - Orlando, FL
Short Sales, Foreclosure & Bank Owned Real Estate

Hi Richard  That is so true, “I want it now and I want it fast", good advice,  Excellent post!

Nov 15, 2012 11:45 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Like many above, I believe less is more!  That said, if the topic requires more verbiage, highlighted topic sentences are perfect for those who need a quick overview.

Nov 15, 2012 02:22 PM
Rob Renk
Center Street Lending - McKinney, TX
AE | Fast Fix/Flip Loans for Residential Investors

Great point.  Be to the point for an easy read.  Thanks.

Nov 17, 2012 02:10 AM
Theresa Montgomery, YAZL
NBAndrews & Associates - Mesa, AZ

I am new to blogging, so I appreciate hearing everyone's opinions. It appears to me that it depends on the subject matter to be discussed. It should always be succinct, but sometimes some additional detail might be necessary to provide adequate information.

Nov 26, 2012 05:20 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I agree!

I've seen so many suggestions about posts 300-400 words. Who is going to read it?!

Dec 23, 2014 03:24 PM