Monday, July 6, 2009

Posting Length--What's your pick?

First, if I knew how to create blog awards, I'd be giving Booking It by Jessica Nelson a Consistently Concise Award. I love Jessica's posts. I never have to skim; they're always so compact. And her material never ceases to make me think.

So I have a couple questions for you all today:

1) What length do you desire blog posts to be?
&
2) If a topic is lengthy, how do you feel about it being split up over several posts? Would you welcome it being broken up, or prefer to see a single topic in one lengthier post? (I know, that makes it three, but they're so related.)

My prayer today: May sparks of creativity ignite during our writing/play time today!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

16 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Wow. That was such a nice thing to say Eileen. I wish I could put into words how good you just made me feel.

I prefer shorter posts most of the time. I'm usually popping on and off the computer because the kiddos might need me so it's easier if I can read something in less than five minutes. I don't mind broken up posts at all. :-)

Jody Hedlund said...

Hi Eileen,
I agree with Jessica's posts! They are always short and sweet! I personally appreciate a concise post too. And if there is too much info. then like it broken up into several posts. I also like shorter paragraphs. It makes for easier reading too! I think you do a great job with this!

MeganRebekah said...

Like Jody said, I prefer shorter paragraphs for easy reading. I would take a long post presented in short paragraphs as opposed to a short post in one big chunk.
And Jessica's blog is awesome!

Katie Ganshert said...

Short and sweet! I like those kinds of posts. But there's always the longer ones that I find interesting and want to keep reading. I think as long as it holds interest, is broken up so its not one massive paragraph, then it's fine. I also like bolded headings and numbers, bullet points, that type of thing.

Great questions!

Jennifer Shirk said...

I like 'em pithy. Mostly because of time contraints and all that. :)

Georgiana Daniels said...

I definitely prefer shorter posts--and bullet points. I'm a sucker for bullet points, LOL! Whenever I run across a super long post somewhere, I usually only have time to skim :(

Your posts are really the perfect size!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Short w/ pictures...I like your idea if the concept is long, break it out over a few days. :D
~ Wendy

Jill Kemerer said...

Although I'm guilty of writing longer posts occassionally, I usually prefer shorter posts. However, if the subject excites me, I get sucked in and gladly read longer posts!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I like 'em short. Short paragraphs help as well. As for several posts on one topic, Jody is a master at this. It keeps people coming back. (Although her post today need to be a wee bit longer...ahem...the cliff hanger....arrrgghhh!)

Erica Vetsch said...

I guess I don't much care how long a post is if covers the topic. I don't mind if longer posts are broken up either.

Happy writing today!

Terri Tiffany said...

short with white space. But I admit--I do get wordy now and then. I hope not too often but it happens!

Susan R. Mills said...

I prefer short ones. I skim the longer ones. I am guilty myself, though, of lengthy posts.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Hi, Ladies:

I'm guilty of long ones too, that's why I posed the question.

Shorter paragraphs goes along with how many write their novels, too. It does make it read so much faster! :)

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Cindy R. Wilson said...

You're right, Eileen, Jessica's posts are great. I think I usually prefer shorter posts, no longer than 400-500 words. If longer than that, it helps to split them up. However, if it's an interesting topic with really good information, I don't mind reading more. It's nice when the author puts section titles or shorter paragraphs to keep you moving.

Bonnie Way aka the Koala Mom said...

I aim for three to five paragraphs on my own blog. And short paragraphs. I find that's about my attention span when reading other blogs. One blogger I occaisonally read has LOOOONG posts, and I find that I just skim hers or read the first few paragraphs and then move on to another blog.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Eileen: Because my time online is so limited and I want to go on as many blogs as I can, I love short posts. 3 paragraphs is the length I prefer. If it gets much longer than that, I become impatient. I may have only ten minutes to read and post, and don't want to spend it all on one blog.
Is that selfish?

I agree with you: Jessica's blog is ideal. She's a treasure box of insight and help.

Bless you,
Jen, Audience of ONE