Let’s Talk About Boring!

fish_teachingReading blog posts leaves me wondering how some people have enough concentration to write so much about a single topic.  I would squeeze multiple entries out of each masterpiece.  On the other hand, I am perplexed when I struggle to find meaning in some posts that do not seem to relate to the blog topic or anything else.

Is there a formula for writing great blog posts that retain interest and offer value?

Subject

Readers appreciate your respect of their time and intelligence.  Every post must be useful in your quest to draw people to your blog multiple times every week.  Maybe something happened yesterday that taught you something important.  Your challenge is to devise an interesting approach to that topic that teaches something.  Business has many dimensions that will be applicable to people in many specialties.  In just a few paragraphs, you must tell your story and switch to your purpose before your reader loses interest.

Writing something you already know is more challenging that most writers realize.  The issue arises when you attempt to fool your reader into believing you are the expert.  One of your readers might have written a famous white paper on the same subject.  How will you reach that person?  Every subject requires research that takes your subject matter to the next level.  You will want to avoid “off the top of your head” writing.  Dig into every subject and add depth to your writing.

“Research is to see what everyone else has seen and to think what nobody else has thought!”
~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Tone

In my favorite writing course, my mentor continually challenged me to “show, and not tell.”  At first, this perplexed me, until I watched an old Scooby Doo cartoon.  Now, don’t leave!  You might remember the end of each episode when “Velma” retold the entire story and revealed the reasons that the villain did such-and-such.  A couple of minutes of “telling” is difficult to endure.  Consider an entire blog post full of boring, lifeless words.

Your narrative tone will retain your reader’s interest when you take them along while your story takes place.  Avid readers know what this “sounds like” on the page.  Include sensory triggers that bring your reader right into your story.  Light, sound, taste, texture and odor are described through countless methods that expose details for your reader.

Audience

The evening news has become a national joke in the States.  Anchors are more interested in what their peers think than informing the real audience about the events of the day.  At least, we still have the BBC to let us know what is happening around the globe.  Once you define your audience, your writing will come to life.  We all know that our blog posts are not written for our mothers, or any other lifelong fans.

A global audience packed with readers from all walks of life is awaiting your next post.  Obvious topics must be avoided to ensure that your meaning is not obscured.  In addition, you will want to look for universal ways to tell specific stories.  Ask yourself, “who cares?” frequently to prevent wasted posts that bore your audience.  Include valuable statements, facts and lessons that help readers in their quest for success.

“Brevity Is the Soul of Wit” ~ William Shakespeare

Read your post from the top without making any changes and ask yourself some difficult questions.

  • Is this interesting?
  • Will readers understand?
  • Does this post contain a helpful message?

For each of your posts, take the time to remove half of your words.  Active voice requires few prepositional phrases and powerful verbs.  You will impress your readers when they are certain that you have covered the topic in the perfect number of sentences.

“Aim for brevity while avoiding jargon.”  ~ Edsger Dijkstra

12 Comments

  • Great post. Thanks for the reminder. It is so easy to rattle on for hours in a blog post. Respecting reader’s time really is important. Its also good to rember that we all have a pretty short attention span when online so if a post is to long and drawn out readers may be inclined to click away half way through our post.

  • Mialei Iske

    Hi, Carol,

    I love it when I have days that provide countless blog post ideas. This one really jumped out at me when I was working with someone. Blog posts that go nowhere can change the traffic flow because people have little patience for nonsense. Since we all work independently, we must be self-evaluating and notice when we are boring!

    Thanks for stopping by!
    — Mialei

  • Hi Mialei,

    Interesting ideas there.

    I must confess I do have a tendency to rattle on too long. I’ll work on shortening my posts:-)

    However I have, hopefully, stopped some of the “me-too” posts I’ve seen on other blogs, and feel better for having done so.

    Enjoy the rest of your week, Joy

  • Mialei Iske

    Hi, Joy,

    Talk about pressure! I had to get this posted last night because of the big launch today. There really haven’t been many issues. Sales are coming in! I like your posts – because you use sections. I read one yesterday that still has me perplexed. Cannot figure out the point. My mind will churn until I can find that landing strip.

    Thanks again for your contribution! {not to mention support!}
    — Mialei

  • Hi Mialei, nice post here. It is easy to get lost in our world sometimes when writing. It’s either we have ‘nothing’ to write about the subject or ‘too much’ to include. So balancing and keep on track and at the same time, keeping it interesting enough for the readers to continue to read on is the key. One thing I learn is to write it as if you are talking to the person reading it. And as you have rightly mentioned, it has to have valuable takeaway for the readers. Wishing you great success with your launch!

  • Mialei Iske

    Hi, Sandy,

    Hope all is well on your side of the world! Fortunately, my professional experience included major computer system implementations. We were always completely exhausted before anything went live. This time – I am rested and ready to help my new customers. So far – the launch has been a lot of fun.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    — Mialei

  • Hi Mialei, You’ve nicely pointed out some of the challenges of writing blog posts. Getting clear answers to the three difficult questions you list can be hard, especially if you work alone and have no one to bounce ideas and drafts off.

    I think one of the secrets is to work on your posts in advance so you have plenty of time to improve it.

  • Yes Mialei, thankfully there is the BBC. I love your points and advice about keeping your audience interested. I often wonder if I am being relevant.
    Best of luck on your launch

  • Mialei Iske

    Hi, David,

    So much about this business could be improved through working together. Seems as though we want to reach out, but everyone hesitates. Once I figure out the reason, maybe I will have a profound post to write. I do notice that life offers so many insights. I love to bring those points into my blog so people get to know me a little better.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    — Mialei

  • Mialei Iske

    Hi, Joan,

    I think the greatest challenge is to figure out my audience. I had a manager once who said that people always do what is best – for themselves. Interesting point. I love to write – okay – so that was not profound, but I almost have to write. To organize my thoughts. Other people only read what is relevant to them. My ramblings are in my journal. Still written, but all mine!

    Thanks for stopping by.
    — Mialei

  • Hi Mialei, I love this post simply because it addresses the main issues I have with writing blog posts!

    Over the last few years, my style has changed. I now only write how I speak – like I’m talking to a friend. It has made a huge difference, although I do need to work on using active rather than passive and the whole brevity thing. I can and do ramble!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂

  • Mialei Iske

    Hi, Jan,

    I have weeks where countless ideas for blog posts spring forth. Those are the times that I have to write and tie the relevance of my idea to my audience. Other weeks, I couldn’t buy an idea. I just skip those weeks. I have learned not to force the writing when I just can’t “create.” I think we all ramble until we review our work and take out the hatchet. I change words in every single blog post I write.

    Great to hear from you!
    — Mialei

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