With our attention spans sapped and our thirst for knowledge insatiable, we want the information we’re searching for in a blog…and we want it RIGHT NOW!!
However, this creates a bit of a dilemma for both readers and bloggers alike.
On the one hand, if readers can’t find what they’re looking for in a quick glance, they’ll bounce away and may miss some really great information.
On the other hand, bloggers and content creators may find their efforts compromised and not able to deliver the full value they’re capable of through their blogs because they’re scared of getting into too much detail.
So, how do we reach a win-win situation.
- Ask questions and then answer them. It may sound simple but I’ve just demonstrated it above. Almost every good TV show has used a cliffhanger here or there and suspense is key to maintaining someone’s attention and interest.
- Keep sentences short. Ideas form words, words form sentences and sentence form paragraphs. The simpler you keep all of these groupings, the better. While delivering real value to your customer, wit and carefully crafted sentences are bonuses, not requirements.
- Use the right word. By using words that are short and common, it’s much easier to get your point across. While you might need to use a ‘big word’ sometimes to get a point across about a specialized subject, generally try and avoid unnecessarily using jargon.
- Don’t be afraid to break the rules. Don’t be afraid to bend or break some rules, such as grammar. Blogs aren’t English final papers that are being graded by a teacher or professor – their value is in the information they transfer from the writer to the reader. Obey the rules of effective communication…and this transcends everything else!
- Summarize a few research sources. If you know about a certain topic, you’ll probably have read a few pieces about it. Be an expert content curator to your reader and bring to them the best of what you’ve learned on the subject. Picture yourself as a giant knowledge funnel pointed towards your readers!
So there you have it – five simple things you can do to boost the readability of your blogs.
Now, all you have to do is figure out what you’re going to write about…simple eh?