You Know What Catches A Newbie's Eye in a Blog? After going to Blog school today at ActiveRain Boot Camp, I learned what I should be doing when writing my blogs. I found out that part of what I have been doing is fair to average. I also found out some secrets of what makes some blogs look better than others. I want to be writing posts that catch a newbie's eye.
Then I started to think...I have read thousands of posts since I launched this new adventure into ActiveRain and some immediately strike me from the very beginning. Others however bore me from the beginning and don't keep my interest so I never finish the read. So with some careful thought and consideration I have put together my own list of what has caused me to stop and read and enjoy.
So here is the list of What Catches a Newbie's Eye when scanning the blogs.
- Make sure the post isn't too long. I speed read and am searching for the meaningful parts. Too much is too taxing.
- Put in lots of paragraphs and white space. I don't like long paragraphs because it is like holding your breath and I don't like that either.
- Add a picture or two if you can but please make sure it relates to what you're saying. Random photos get me easily confused.
- Restate your point. If you start it out with what you are going to tell me, then finish with what you just told me.
- Be sure to put in some bold lettering or underlining or a little color if appropriate. Too much again makes my eyes go crazy so don't overdo it.
- Don't forget to use punctuation and good grammar and correct spelling. This is a pet peeve of mine and shuts down my mind entirely if not done properly. I can't hear a word you are saying because I am so distracted.
- Did I mention keep it short? But remember have your post make a point and be meaningful or interesting.
Did you get it? If you want to get a newbie to read your blogs, then follow this basic list first. Then after you have mastered this basic list, you can graduate to the finer details of blogging.
This will be what catches a newbie's eye.
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All great reminders. I've had to learn, over time, to keep mine short. My tendancy was always to go overboard. Every one in a while, I still will.
i don't like blogs that are too long, either. I think a catchy title means a lot, too. Thanks for sharing your information. I've been too busy to take an AR class lately, and I'm also working on my E Pro designation. I also highly recommend that designation. The course is awesome. I've finished the first day and have just started the second day.
Hi Debbie,
These are some great tips! However, you mention using color and bold -- but I don't know how to do that using the AR Blog form -- do you add color and bold using the AR Blog form (if so, how?) or do you use MS Word and then cut/paste into the AR Blog form?
Thanks,
Kevin
Debbie great information! I too learned much today from Bob.
Debbie- this are great tips to make a newbie AND oldie want to read your blog. I thought today's webinar was great and I love the detail that Bob covered. We often don't know what we don't know!
Debbie - truth be told if I stop by a blog post that's really long unless it's something I just have to know I move on. I have so little time these day I lose attention after 200-300 words. Great list!
Debbie...I enjoyed your blog. I always struggle with my blogs and do not write very many...I never have mastered the art of making them look "cool" and inviting.
Debbie, you mentioned a lot of good points here. In fact, your blog just caught my eye! Most of the time, I read blogs if the title or subject attracts my attention. It all starts in choosing the right title for your post.
I believe that all we want is to share our ideas, provide tips or advise and it feels great when people read them and give feedback.
Thank you.
Regina P. Brown
Jill is good. I do everything wrong. Every good advice I fail. The funny thing is that I do not care now, as I would a few years ago.
I am writing for my own fun, and it interferes with all my good intentions (LOL)
These are some great reminders. Being in a hurry sometimes, we don't do the right stuff to make the blog stand out.
Thank you for sharing the post with all of us.
Hi Debbie, First off, contrats on being featured! What a great blog to remind us that if we actually want people to read our posts, we need to try to keep them short, and add some graphics or pictures that relate that will move ours eyes down. I know I've tried to read some posts that are wordy with no visible breaks and my eyes do tend to glaze over. I've been guilty of grammar errors...but thankfully AR members were polite and sent me an e-mail letting me know so I can go in and correct them.
Hi Debbie. It listened in too yesterday. I have to be conscious of writing too much...
Debbie -- a great summary for those of us who were unable to listen in. But I couldn't find the picture in your blog. ;-)
Congrats on the feature, Debbie. These are wonderful tips for newbies and veterans alike. Oh, and I agree w/ Kristine's pt esp as I've gotten crazy busy these last 2 months.
Great tips for everyone to remember. And yes.. short and to the point is best... Glad to hear that so many are sooooo busy!! it certainly is sweet!
I learned something yesterday, too. I had never given the bolding a thought before. But, I will definitely use it now.
Congrats on the feature.
Those are all good points and many I've pickd up from the power players here on AR over the last 18 months. Getting attention is important and formatting definitely helps.
Thanks, Debbie, for your post. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my blogging.
Debbie, these are the same things that catch the eye of an "old timer" too!
Very good points. Also as a newbie, I tended to shy away from blogs that seemed too complicated or controversial. I might have read them, but held my comments. I had to ease into those a little, but maybe that's just me.
Gretchen
Thses are indeed some great tips.
Write your blog not like an essay, but more like a newspaper.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to read a single sentance when it is it's own paragraph?
Jon-It's certainly ok to do your blogging for you and not worry about all the formating. It just makes it easier on the readers to have some of these steps followed. Keep on blogging your way. Thanks for the comment.
Joe-Yes we do get in a hurry sometimes because we have so many things that need doing, The tough part for me is condensing my thoughts. Thank you for commenting.
Cindy-I have been so busy today I didn't know my blog was featured. Yippee! Thanks for comments about the emails from other members telling you when something needs correction. That is great.
Cheryl-I really must have made people think about their writing. So many are so good and I enjoy yours a lot.
Steven-Sorry you missed the session because it was really good. You can catch the recorded one on the University. FYI-couldn't find a photo to relate to put in the post. LOL
John, Kathy and Suzanne- glad that you enjoyed it too. There were many good points to help us all.
Kristine and Regina-You proved my point that it has to interest you and be eyecatching. Thanks for reading mine and commenting.
Brian-Someone finds yours interesting if you have any subscriptions. Just keep at it and use some of the basic little easy things first.
Eric-I used to write newspaper press releases and prided myself when they would print them exactly as submitted. It was like a little game but the copy was a little boring.
Debbie Gartner-I love the way you do yours. You just have to have a corner on the market in your area.
Janis, John and Marie-Glad to know you seasoned bloggers picked up a friendly reminder or two. Thanks for the comments.
Gretchen-Hi fellow Newbie. I just comment if I feel moved to do so. If I can say something nice or add something to the conversation I just move on. I am going to check out your blogs. We can comment on each others.
Debbie, sure your post aand title did catch my eyes - and I am not a newbis (or so do I think).
You got all great points - and the best part is, your post has followed all these rules, per se.
Debbie:
All good tips. I learned about justifying my paragraphs around photos. Makes things look neater.
Debbie, Great
Is that short enough ; ) No really that was very good tips for all of us, thank you.
The "too long" part is what kills me. If it's too long, I don't care if it's great writing or not... I pass. Great post and congrats on the feature!
Well I must still be a newbie then. All of those tips still work for me!
I think the most valuable point you made is length. I have skipped many dissertations on here through the years!
I like the keep it short... I like it for the readers and I like it for the writers... Have a Happy Day
Debbie-
Great post. You caught my eye! A creative title always draws me in...
Best regards!
Great basics, Debbie! You have great guidance here on how to write a perfect blog post. Thanks so much!
Great reminders for everything you need to do to blog effectively. Thanks.
Debbie, all very good points for attracting any reader. Thanks for the reminder.
Debbie- Great advice! I have to watch myself on making blogs too long - work in progress!
Good morning Debbie. A short meaningful post. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Debbie, great list and so true. Bob said you have only 6 seconds to grab someone's attention, so give it your best shot or forget it!
Great post Debbie. Catchy titles are a good way to pull people in to your blog as well.
Thanks Debbie! I like short and sweet too.
BTW-Go Clarksville!! I miss that place! 6 years at 101st :)
Good points. Some people no matter what their 'age' here in the rain are just too long winded.
Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing your thoughts on what makes a good blog, I like white space as well short to the point blogs.
Thanks for the great tips Debbie, I couldn't attend and it was sure nice of you to summarize for me and the others who were absent.
Thanks Bob
Great blog! I've been working on perfecting my blog as well and need to add more white space. Using Google Docs has been a huge improvement for me. Best of luck!
All great tips, however, I just read a book "One Arm, One Leg and 100 Words", which is available from Amazon.com. I strongly recommend everybody read this book. It's a captivating story about "overcoming unbelievable hardships."
I began to read this true story and couldn't stop reading because it was captivating and I read it completely to the end. The point is the blog or content doesn't need to be short as long as the story keeps the reader captivated. Naturally, the reader's perspective will determine whether the content is captivating or not.
Great Tips, Debbie! I know that I tend to skip those that are too looooong!
All these tips apply to Newbies... but also consumers. We have short attention spans and need to make our point early and concisely! Great post! Kathy
Debbie~ I would add that a catchy title is important too. That's what drew me to your blog post today. Congrats on the Feature!
Not sure what catches a "Newbie's" eye but those beautiful yellow blooms conveniently positioned on each ear surely caught mine. LOL!
You have shared a lot of great tips, Debbie! Thank you for the post!
Jeff - Orlando Real Estate
Looks like you learned quite a bit from your blogging classes. I do agree that bold words do help capture someones attention. Its also good to add color (not too crazy though). Im trying to blog on a different platform and then bring the colors into Activerain. Still not sure how to blog using HTML so I need to cut and paste when I add colors.
Good post for veteran and newbie alike. We all need reminders.
Hi The real Debbie Reynolds.
I actually started out as a newbie by selecting interesting posts from different parts of the country. This way I have several parts of the country in which I have subscribed to.
I did'nt want to keep to one geographical area.
Thanks for the tips. I will try to keep my posts short and to the point. Even though they usually are that way.
Have a great Mothers day in Tennessee.
Best, Clint McKie
Hi Debbie, I agree especially about the keep it short. I hate searching for the relavant parts. Also, add a catchy title.
Wonderful tips! Great source of information. Thank you!
Uber, Thanks for the comment.
These are not only great tips, but I'm very happy with your use of "ActiveRain Boot Camp"! I didn't know this existed and am currently watching them. I'm so excited to see what they have to offer! Hopefully in a few weeks I'll have as many comments on my blogs as you did on this particular blog. Good on ya! And Happy Sales :)
Lynn, I am going to check out your blogs and help get those comments up for you. Happy Blogging!
Those are all great points, Debbie. Rarely will you see one of my blogs without some sort of picture or graphic. It really does break up the reading.