Are shorter posts better?
What is the ideal post length?
There is some debate here on Steemit about what is the right size in terms of the ideal number of words a post should have. How many words are necessary to ensure quality? How many words are too less and an attempt to spam the system?
From what I have read, most people consider the 300-word mark as the standard for good quality. Well, just the number of words doesn't necessarily make a post good or bad but it's a general consensus that 300 words mean the author put in time and effort and it's not a quick work to earn some quick cash.
My approach till now
I have been thinking about this lately because my posts tend to be longer as I like to dig deep into my topics, bring out my thoughts by using the right words and statements. I do not like to take shortcuts while writing.
The problem with this approach is that it takes me quite some to write the post and format it. Any of my regular readers will notice how much effort I put into formatting my posts. I always use the right images, use text dividers to help readers easily move from one segment to another. I regularly take 2-3 hours to write, perform spelling and grammar checks and formatting the post before I deem it submit-worthy.
I post one article daily. So daily it's an average of 3 hours I spend on one post. Sometimes even more.
I have been thinking if I should try and reduce this effort to make my writings and postings more efficient? Do my readers really read through my posts? Can I make my posts shorter and more palatable?
Problem is that it's hard to tell if readers are reading whole posts or just skimming through them.
I had a quick analysis of my last 15 posts (posts which are not technical contributions or progress logs) and found that my average post length is upwards of 700 words which is almost 2.5 times the usually accepted post length of 300 words.
Should I change my strategy going forward?
I see there are many authors who do short posts multiple times a day often times of not very high quality.
I don't want to compromise on quality but does this mean I am wasting time in writing such long posts? I don't even earn $5 on average on these posts. Is it the right usage of my Steemit time?
Should I rather write shorter articles and try to increase my frequency of posting from an average of once a day to slowly increase it to twice a day on average?
I am yet undecided and would like to know your thoughts as well. Please feel free to comment and let me know what in your opinion is an ideal strategy and what I should follow?
End Note
I know that there are some who are ready to pounce on me for making this a post just about money 😉. Before you judge me, let me tell you that it really is not. It's about improvement.
The primary reason for these thoughts and ponderings is not to increase my earnings (but I would surely love if it happens as a consequence) but to make myself a better writer, more readable and likeable. The initial spark for this post was from a discussion about people not reading long posts. One thing led to another and this post in short is a short summary on how to improve productivity, be a better writer and perhaps earn a little more as a result of it.
Even this post is more than 500 words in length. I sure can drag….
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I honestly I feel that the length of a topic can be purely dependent on the topic that you choose. If you are writing a technical article, you have no other option than writing a detailed article where you will be able to express whatever is required to explain all the technical details. In that case, the article becomes bigger. If you are planning to write a nontechnical article, that is when you can control the length of the article. This is what I feel.
To think in a different perspective, I would say don't put your heart and soul in your articles in the initial days. You can keep your articles short and to the point. After you get a good set of followers who are actual readers, then it will be ideal to put your heart and soul on writing good quality articles.
yes, I guess you are right about the point of gathering more followers before really putting it all in... but I also think if I am not sincere, will I get the followers in the first place?
Yes that is a valid point. But my point is don't compromise on your quality but you can compromise on length and amount of time you spend on your article.
yes, I want to try and do that... let's see how it works out :)
This post has been rewarded with 100 % upvote from @indiaunited bot.
you guys are awesome :) thanks again :)
This is a great post, I know what you mean there is a fine line between how long a post should be and being too short.
I also struggle with this, but in my opinon what you have to think about is the content you are writing about. As much as we would love to generalise everything we simply can't so thinking of some examples here.
Let's say you wanted to write about cancer, its a very broad subjects. There are so many different types of cancer, then you have the symptoms and the treatments available. So you can either write one huge post which some people will read, because its a subject they feel strongly about. Or you could bitesize it into many shorter posts.
Now lets say you wanted to do a post about teaching someone to make a sandwich, your post is going to be shorter and more punchy, you are probably going to put some pictures of bread and filling and shorter paragraphs.
So my advice is go with how you feel, does the content need more words, or are you wanting to make a specific point.
I hope this helps.
yes, I think it boils down to what you are comfortable with when you have a topic at hand
there's no one size fits all in this
I write short pieces. Humor. But it takes some effort to craft a good joke, or haiku, day to day. Read a few of my posts and tell me what you think.
Interestingly, I met you through your two sentence story contest.
I read a couple of your posts... I think I need to learn how to write short posts from you :)
Interesting one @svkrulze
Writing something complete yet precise is not a crime... And making it short only let the others to read it I guess. But, never just rush to complete it in short that is also something needed. And if there is some criteria to fullfill than its better to do it in that limit. Nice and precise writting is what makes a good writer.
Cheers
I agree, but the question is what makes your readers read them? I guess it's not so easy to answer it
Thank you for posting this @svkrulze. It is a very good point. Sometimes I read a post and just wish there was more. There was a good title and good picture and opening paragraph and before I knew it the post was finished. I just wanted more. In that case I can say more in the comments or I can read another post they made so I am satisfied usually withing 500-1000 words. If the post is over 1000 words it actually takes me a long time to scroll down to the comment section.
One of my disappointments in posts is coming to a Dlive post and find that the event is finished. I wish those events were recorded and linked to a dtube post when dlive is finished.
How long do you think the idea comment should be. If I leave two or three paragraphs it is a pain in the butt because you know that you probably have to respond because I took this much time to write a comment. But if I just say:
I'm sure this will just make your day.
One of the big things in preparing a post is not even the time it takes to write and set up the post in markdown, but the thought behind the post really reflects a day of your life. If you can say it all in three hundred words go ahead. One the most interesting writers here is @flashfiction. It is so short I can't believe he gets away with it but he has the guts to do it and his stories actually make sense and give content. So like the only saying goes, "It is not the length that matters but how you use it."
wow, thanks for making the effort to make such a meaningful comment but don't ever think I am responding because of any compulsion as a result of your hard work, lolz... I respond to good comments because I like conversations and ideas... what is the meaning of human existence if not for the exchange of ideas??
thanks for pointing me to @flashfiction... I have long being thinking about doing something like that... but I am skeptical of backlash, afraid that I may be called a spammer... I will have to rethink I guess...
Thanks @svkrulze. I wouldn't have rambled on so much if I wasn't thinking about it at the time. There are no Steemit police... but you are the judge of the integrity you are putting in. YOu won't be downvoted for a short post, but you won't be applauded at first unless it is really amazing. Good luck.
Are you sure this post has 500 words? It does not seem so :) This only proves that your writing is interesting and your styling clever. A reader has brakes in the text with images and dividers and it does not seem like it took me long to read this. My advice would definitely be that you do not jeopardize your quality and as for one of more posts per day... Quality before quantity, always. 💚
thank you for your kind words :) yes, quality I will not compromise on... just that I want to experiment with shorter posts... write some micro-fiction or perhaps some thoughts and ideas in a line or two... but not sure how people will react... here quality is often connected with post length you know?
Even photographs need detailed explanation lolz... Being a photographer, I just want to share my photo and a title. that's it... let my viewers figure out in their own way what my photograph says... but no, here it doesn't work that way... but I am not pessimistic or complaining... it's an evolving platform and things will change over time....
If the content of the post is relevant to the topic, then make it as long as it needs to be... There's no 'one size fits all solution' when it comes to the length of a post.
yes, I guess so... I would like to experiment with different post lengths though
I really enjoyed reading your post and found myself sharing many similar thoughts about the length and what would make the users reading better.I think you made a good approach of the topic and that's why you got yourself a new follower.Keep steeming @svkrulze
thank you for your kind words, @unshakeable :)
I've seen some long posts that after the third paragraph I knew I would not finish it and some that were too short and I most certainly the author for more!
So as someone already said here it is not the length is is how you use it hahaha
the last line sounded very much like something #adult_swim members would find interest in ;)