In my travels through the blogosphere and social media, I’ve been finding some blog posts and some videos waaaay too long.
I’m not talking hours. I’ve seen some of them, too. I’m talking a blog post that might run 1500 to 2000 words or more. Videos that are 7 to 9 minutes or slightly longer. I’m sure the content is good. It’s just that I don’t stick around long enough to find out.
I read once that the way to a readers heart – especially in the blogosphere – is to be short and concise. It is only when people really like what your saying that they stick around to read and watch for an extended period.
The other thing I’ve found is that people really like to “lead up” to whatever they want to talk/write about. This long winded exposition is distracting and, for me, the signal to bail out.
There’s a few good writers out there that I’ll gladly scroll and scroll and scroll to read and some neat videos that I’ll sit through the entire 10:54 minutes. But, really, just a few.
How long is too long? Where is your “next!” threshold?
As a video approaches 2 minutes, I get very leery.
If a blog post looks like more than say four beefy paragraphs, I start scanning the headings to see if it’s worth a read.
If I’m in super interested/learning mode, I will of course read and watch anything of any length, but I basically need to be researching something at that point.
Rob McCance recently posted..Atlanta’s Business Environment
I agree. I’ve started watching videos because they looked interesting but after about 2 – 3 minutes it has to be riveting to keep my attention. Most people take too long “setting it up”. I say, get to the meat of the matter. Blog posts, too.
Ken Montville recently posted..I Never Know What to Read
Agreed. I also try to write them succinctly.
Check out my latest one below. Nearly too short, but hey..
Rob McCance recently posted..Atlanta’s Business Environment