Remember that blog post you spent hours writing in your head and editing on your computer? You know, the one that barely got any views despite your brilliant insight and well-sourced facts. That one. We’ve all had one, two or maybe dozens of those.
Image Credit: Flickr
It’s OK. It was probably a bore to read.
Remember back in elementary school when you visited the library and you had to climb on a step stool to use the giant oversize dictionary to look up a word? That daunting page of gray text was almost too much to wade through, but your teacher made you scan it anyway?
Some blog posts read like that too.
You have great content and ideas to share, but if it isn’t scannable and easily digested, readers won’t stay on your post long enough to read it let alone leave a comment.
Here’s five ways to make your blog posts a joy to read.
1. Use bulleted or numbered lists within the text. This breaks up the flow of the text and adds a bit of white space to the page which makes it look easier to visually consume. Try using this technique when writing:
- lists of tips, ideas or items
- steps to perform a task
- definitions of several topics
2. Use pull quotes or text boxes to add visual appeal to a blog post. Simply repeat something interesting or informative in the text and highlight it by making it stand out in larger text with a bold font. I like to use Tweetable pull quotes to integrate social media into the post and add visual style.
3. Add visuals such as photos, charts, infographics, clip art, teasers for other posts or logos to make the post enticing. Choose graphics carefully. Social media shares will highlight them. Pick intriguing, clickable visuals to gain more readers.
4. Use bold text. I like to make subheadings, key phrases and sometimes quotes bold. This technique makes these snippets of text easily visible for readers who scan a post before spending time to read every paragraph. Hopefully the bold text is alluring and keeps them on the page.
5. Create short paragraphs often. This isn’t essay writing. You don’t have wrap each thought and its supporting elements up with a bow in one paragraph. Sometimes spacing one sentence by itself makes the point of your post even more substantial.
Try it.
Take a look at your last published piece online. Does it look like a cookie cutter of your last post? Is it a rhythmic formula: opening paragraph, three paragraphs of body and a one line conclusion or call to action?
Boring.
Add some bullet points. Highlight a snappy sentence in a text box. Use bold subheadings.
Try reformatting the page to see if you get more comments, shares and feedback on your post.
Tell me about your blog post design challenges and triumphs in the comments below. We’re all here to improve our web writing together!
