I like reading and commenting on other people’s blog posts. It’s fun, in most cases, and I like learning new things, get updates on topics that interest me, original tips for presents etc.
When reading these posts I come across things that in all honesty drive me nuts and in some cases discourage me from finishing reading that particular blog post.
Why? Well, for example, I’m not that old, but I still can’t read those darn tiny letters some people use. Or I get lost in never ending blocks of text. Or I click on a link and instead of having new window open I lose what I was reading before. That sucks, bloggers.
And since I know I screw things up many times as well I decided to create a checklist for myself and for those of you who find it useful.
Ten commandments of blog posting
- Use bigger font, don’t be afraid to go for 14px or even 16px. Bold important words or sentences.
- Write short paragraphs and make spaces between them.
- Try to write as you speak, you don’t want to sound like a robot or a Wikipedia.
- Make your links open in a new window. Always. Please.
- Use images, they help breaking long text and keep the reader engaged.
- Try to stick with the topic in the post title. Write about what you’ve promised.
- Don’t overdo the ads and popups. It’s annoying.
- Use Call To Action, ask your readers to subscribe or whatever you want them to do next.
- Use headers, they make the article easier to read and are good for SEO too.
- Let someone else read the post and check for typos and grammar.
All checked?
Now, go and read the whole post again pretending you are someone else, a visitor who just came to your blog for the first time. Are you entertained? Informed? Are you getting what you came for?
If not, change it. But also remember, it’s not about perfection it’s about connection.
Happy blogging!
P.S. What are your blogging tips? Let us know in the comments below.
These are all good tips. I am all for bigger fonts to make stuff stand out.
For sure. Make the reader’s life easier 🙂
Thank you so much for including that bit about fonts. I prefer to NOT use a magnifying glass when I read a blog. LOL
Same here lol
I like to use larger fonts as well. I enjoyed your awesome tips.
Thank you, Brianne!
I am going to second those annoying pop ups. If I get bombarded with them every time I visit a blog, I remove the whole blog from my reading list. That’s the fastest way to get me to not come back to a website.
Exactly. Sometime less is more.
I have been writing like I speak for years. I also started breaking my paragraphs up really well with images.
I’m sure your readers appreciate that.
I don’t mind a subtle pop up when I’m on my laptop, but trying to read a blog through all the ads on a mobile device drives me up the wall! Great tips here.
Thanks, Lora!
Great tips for posting! It’s really helpful for new bloggers.
Great blogger commandments. I love them and all so true to have a better blog!
Thank you 🙂