NOTE: PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOW-UP TO THIS POST TO FIND OUT HOW TO CHANGE FONT STYLE, COLOR, SIZE, ETC. IN YOUR BLOG POST!
Which of the examples below is more readable? They both contain the exact same copy (words), but are done in different styles. (You may want to save your eyes & skip to the second example, but I'll leave that up to you). Example #1
| Run-of-the-Mill Post Title I really hope everyone reads this entire thing beginning to end, because the information I've shared here is so important and necessary to those in my niche - it could really help them out. Either I'm very knowledgable on this subject, and have lots of information that could be helpful to others, or I have a funny/touching/frustrating story to tell that others could relate to, or I have to share a rant that I just can't hold in any longer. I'm thinking that if I just put it all here in my blog in no particular order, style, or fashion, that others will be unphazed by the huge block of uninterupted text and be interested enough to keep reading, even though I started with a cliche and/or un-interesting title and opening sentence. I'm hoping that, even though I use super small font size, give no visual breaks in the copy, include no images, links, bold text, bullet points, or anything else that might give my reader a break, they will realize the importance of my blog outright; perhaps by way of telekinesis. I haven't tagged it or used any important key words anywhere in the content, but I figure that readers will find my blog on their own, magically. I'm aware that this post seems a bit long, even though it really isn't, and that it's probably due to the fact that I just keep writing on and on and on and on without stopping to breathe or start a new paragraph. But, instead of doing anything that might help my readers take this post in with a bit more ease, understanding, and enjoyment, I think I'll just keep it as-is, for fun. I'm probably not thinking about the fact that these people are reading things all day long, and that I actually have to compete for their attention. I'm also a little unaware of the fact that my readers are very busy people with several things on their list to complete befor the end of the day, or even the hour. If I kept this in mind when writing my important blog, maybe I would break it up a bit with spaces or pictures or something so it would be more enticing. Oh well, maybe next time. |
Example #2
| Catchy Title  I really hope everyone reads this entire thing beginning to end, because the information I've shared here is so important and necessary to those in my niche - it could really help them out.
Either: 1) I'm very knowledgable on this subject, and have lots of information that could be helpful to others, or
2) I have a funny/touching/frustrating story to tell that others could relate to, or
3) I have to share a rant that I just can't hold in any longer.
I'm thinking that if I just put it all here in my blog in no particular order, style, or fashion, that others will be unphazed by the huge block of uninterupted text and be interested enough to keep reading, even though I started with a cliche and/or un-interesting title and opening sentence.
I'm also hoping that, even though I use super small font size, give no visual breaks in the copy, include no images, links, bold text, bullet points, or anything else that might give my reader a break, they will realize the importance of my blog outright; perhaps by way of telekinesis.
I haven't tagged it or used any important key words anywhere in the content, but I figure that readers will find my blog on their own, magically. I'm also aware that this post seems a bit long, even though it really isn't, and that it's probably due to the fact that I just keep writing ON and ON and ON and ON without stopping to breathe or start a new paragraph.
But, instead of doing anything that might help my readers take this post in with a bit more ease, understanding, and enjoyment, I think I'll just keep it as-is, for fun. I'm probably not thinking about the fact that these people are reading things all day long, and that I actually have to compete for their attention. I'm also a little unaware of the fact that my readers are very busy people with several things on their list to complete befor the end of the day, or even the hour.
If I kept this in mind when writing my important blog, maybe I would break it up a bit with spaces or pictures or something so it would be more enticing.
Oh well, maybe next time.
|
Okay, so what's the moral of this story? Woops... Okay, so what's the moral of this story? Whatever it is you have to say, no matter how interesting, must look like it's interesting in order for most people to read it.
Here are some other examples I like: Flip Video - Flop Video Free Calculator Widgets
Monday Morning Gifts The What and Why of Twitter Blogger Startup Kit
I know the old saying goes,
"Don't judge a book by it's
cover", but, aren't the books
with the most interesting covers
the one's that you notice first?
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170 Comments on How NOT to Post a Blog
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I couldn't finish either one...me, me,me, it's all about me....what is the benefit to readers?