Who has time to read long blog posts these days, let alone take the time to comment?
I wish I did, but I don’t.
I only have time to read a few blog posts a week. Forget crafting detailed and thoughtful comments, the way I used to a few years ago. I know I’m not alone here; other bloggers have expressed the same.
Things are changing in the blogging world, and just as I was about to write, “Our attention spans have decreased,” I found a better reason expressed by Nick Leffler in his blog post:
“Attention spans aren’t getting shorter, they’re becoming more selective for good content.”
After all, states Nick, we’re able to sit through a 3+hour movie, so our attention spans have not decreased.
As Nick Leffler says:
“We’re getting more selective about what we pay attention to. There’s a lot of information coming at us. It used to be just newspapers where we got our news, then came radio, then TV, then Internet, then our brains exploded.
There’s a lot of great stuff to read, watch, and listen to. There’s also a ton of crap.
Attention spans haven’t gotten shorter, they’re just more selective for good content. So if I’m not writing good content, I’ll lose my audience within 8 seconds and it’s not their fault, it’s 100% mine.”
There is presently a shift towards writing shorter (300-word) blog posts. How do you feel about that?
There is of course an exception to this; longer, more detailed posts (about 1,000 words or more,) from experts who cover specific topics that readers are searching for.
So from now on, I’m going to write shorter blog posts, whenever I have something to share. My upcoming adventures lend themselves to shorter more frequent posts, just like we see on FaceBook.
What about you. Are you changing the length of your posts?
I agree with you. I quit reading long blog posts a few years ago. I mostly read Book Bloggers Reviews of books they’ve read. I do not read long drawn out reviews. Enjoy your travels…
Gigi Ann,
Do you read the reviews on Amazon as well?
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living recently posted..Who Has Time to Read Long Blog Posts These Days?
I haven’t been following your blog lately, since I’ve been following you on Facebook, through all your traveling.
Gigi Ann recently posted..“Summertime Blogging Deserter”
I’m going to be posting more on Facebook. Keep reading Gigi Ann.
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living recently posted..Who Has Time to Read Long Blog Posts These Days?
Glad you found my post interesting Sonia! I do enjoy reading short posts much more, but when a post is extremely interesting you will definitely catch me reading a post of 1300+ words 🙂
Cheers for the quotes and more!
NIck Leffler recently posted..Are You Appy?
Nick, Thanks for letting me use your great phrase about attention spans not getting shorter, but simply more selective. I totally agree and like that perspective.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Who Has Time to Read Long Blog Posts These Days?
A great point! If only more bloggers would take note. A long post, however well written, takes too much time to read – unless the subject is fascinating, which is rarely the case. I receive between 20-40 posts or more every day, scan/read about 10 and leave 2-4 comments.Your posts are a nice length and easy to read. That’s another thing. Layout is important. Easy on the eye. Some bloggers don’t get that.
Penelope James recently posted..WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YESTERDAY’S HOME WAS A MANSION AND NOW IT’S ONE ROOM?
Thanks Pennie. I’m also happy that Nick Leffler posted a comment since I wrote about his post.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Who Has Time to Read Long Blog Posts These Days?
I agree with Nick – people want good content. Something that tells a story or is meaningful.
ladyfi recently posted..Spring bubbles
Very true, and I know you tell stories with your photography.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness
yes, it’s true and it’s something I’ve been struggling with for some time. Doesn’t matter how good or interesting the piece is, it’s hard to read a long blog on a screen. It’s not the same as sitting down with a printed book. So, that is reason enough, without even thinking of all the other reasons, to “keep it short, stupid!”
Viga Boland recently posted..COOL and NOT SO COOL! So how was your rainy Sunday?
Yes, short and to the point.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness
As writers, we must divide our time between: Reading about writing, writing, revising, editing, tracking submissions, publishing and the marketing that goes with it, reading for recreation and real life. I agree with Nick, I only zero in on blogs that are short, simple, and to the point. The irony is, I’m not limiting my own blog posts. I set a 300-500 word limit and always exceed it (heavy sigh)
Alaskazanylips.com
Lois, Perhaps you offer super helpful blog posts that need to be longer.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness
Not only are short blog posts more accessible (and kinder) to our readers, they’re also more difficult to write, and show talent and skill in how to share a point, a story, in under 300 words. Writing a short but fun blog post once a week sharpens my skills, and helps grow my readership. Thanks for your wonderful post.
Pamela recently posted..Creating a Writerly Web
Just looked at your recent post, and I like the way you use different colors for each paragraph.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness
Nice point! I agree it’s not our attention spans getting shorter – it’s the fact we’re overwhelmed with data and information. I find myself shifting through content, looking for what I need and then moving on. The interesting element here is my longer posts (500-1,000+) words sometimes generate more comments and interest than the shorter ones. I believe it’s because most of my blogs are about sharing information: Product Info, DIY, Life Hacks, etc. As long along as I keep each paragraph short, use headlines, bullet points and images to break up the copy, it “looks” shorter and keeps the reader’s interest. But I’m always thinking about how to keep it as concise as possible…
Indy recently posted..Survival: Life Lessons Learned from Camping
Indy, sounds like you are in the longer category that offers helpful tips. That’s the other type of blog post.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness
Many of my followers have told me for years that their favorite blog emails are the ones that can fit on their phone screen without scrolling. I started to “adapt” to longer posts, but sometimes what I have to say only takes a few words. As a lover of simplicity, I can see no reason to add extra words just to make it seem longer.
Linda Luke recently posted..Need Clarity Quick? Try These Magic Questions
Hadn’t thought of that Linda, as I still read them on my laptop. Thanks for sharing that.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness
I love reading both, short and long. Resourceful posts are usually long, and we can’t skip that kind of data-driven posts. Long posts are also scannable, these days bloggers know how to write a scannable and interesting blog posts.
This post is short but interesting, I loved reading this posts.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sameer Panda recently posted..What Your Blog Post Length Should Be? [Infographic]