ovidiu's posterous

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Your opinion - which do you prefer? Long article or short article?

Lengthy, in depth, meaty articles are great! But how often do you really read them from start to finish? Do you just save them in a list of 'must reads' that just keeps on growing and growing?

Comments (8)

May 02, 2010
Ovidiu Puscas said...
I find that I create a back-log of large articles I really do want to read... but I never actually get around to it! And now, because I know that, I'll just skim through it very quickly, but as a result I won't get too much out of it.

How do you handle your article reading?

May 02, 2010
Douglas Karr said...
Long enough to get the point across but never more! Each article should have a single idea that it's trying to explain. That could take 1000 words or 200 depending on the detail needed.
May 02, 2010
Ovidiu Puscas said...
Thanks for your opinion Doug. As a master blogger, how much time do you spend reading other blogs? I would imaging you digest articles (your own plus others') as a full time job in itself!
May 03, 2010
Alister Coyne said...
Online isn't designed for extended periods of reading but updates in screen technology means that in 10 years time it'll be the norm.

It's more a case of designing your content well to allow text to be read easily, and if longer then text should be broken up into mini-chapters to accomodate.

May 03, 2010
Ovidiu Puscas said...
Thanks @douglaskarr and @hairycow. The mini-chapters could play a good part in recurring visitors.

Doug should know more about this... whether it makes a considerable difference or not?

May 03, 2010
mikemyatt said...
Ovidiu - I place much more emphasis on the quality & relevance of the content than I do concerns about word count. I won't read a short piece that doesn't add value, but I'll consume volumes of content that is on point. Bottom line - I'll make the time for value-added content, but won't waste time, regardless of how long or short a piece is, if it adds no value.
May 03, 2010
On the whole, depth of content is better. if it is well structured, the first paragraph should let me know if I want to go further, but at the least I would have an overview of the topic.
May 03, 2010
Ovidiu Puscas said...
Thanks a lot for your opinions! It's great to know what other web savvy and connected readers believe and prefer when it comes to their article reading.

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