By Sarah Groneck
SEO/SMO Writer
I’m picky when it comes to reading blogs: If a blog does something I don’t like, I will leave the page within 20 seconds. Other blog readers I’ve spoken with do the same.
If you’re a blogger and are wondering how to keep your readers’ attention, think about if you:
Rant.
If you enjoy reading a good rant, you’re one of the few. Most readers would sooner stay away from drama than embrace it. As a blog reader, I’ll pass up blogs that even smell like drama: if a blog’s title is “I Hate Everyone,” for instance, I won’t bother clicking on it.
“But, I have the right to say how I feel,” you say.
Yes, you do. However, if you want to skip merrily with your fellow bloggers in a rainbow-filled blogosphere, stay away from the rants. Readers appreciate nice, thought-provoking posts as opposed to angry, finger-pointing remonstrations.
If you still want to express your opinion on politics and on religion, try looking at both sides. Is there anything positive about the other side that you can convey?
Another good idea is to write out your post and walk away from the computer. Then, come back a few hours later to edit what you have written. It might also be helpful to have a friend read your post to get feedback. If he thinks that your post is too overpowering, change it.
Your mother used to tell you that “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it.” Well, surprise: it’s true in adulthood, too.
Include an insane amount of distracters.
Blog readers used to lament ads, pop-ups, and flashing banners on sites. Now, overused feeds, stickers, buttons, and pictures are starting to replace them.
When the blog tries to do too much at once, the viewer can get really confused. I’ve clicked on blogs where I automatically wonder, “Is this what I’m supposed to be reading? No wait, that’s an ad, the text is…here? No…where is it?!”
Don’t do this to your readers. They don’t really appreciate it. Instead, remember:
Less is more.
You might think that a flashing, giant puppy sticker is cute, but your readers might find it kitschy. You want to be easily accessible for your readers; don’t make them jump through hoops to discover your content.
Write haphazardly.
Readers want to view quality work, and that means you might have to brush up on your grammar skills. Even if you have grand ideas for your blog, you won’t get very far if you don’t know how to write well. How can readers understand what you’re trying to say if you don’t know how to say it?
If you decide that, to express your style, you need to write in lower-case and add 14 exclamation marks on the end of each sentence, that’s cool; just be sure that your new style is consistent.
There is enough bad content floating around cyberspace; don’t add to the trash heap.
Again, these are just a few ideas on how to keep your readers from abandoning ship. If you abide by them, your readers might be more willing to spend long amounts of time perusing your space--or, at least a minute or two.
{Thanks, piratechickan, for use of the photo!}
