As a freelance writer I get a lot of project briefs with set word counts. Even looking across the internet there are tons of articles which reveal the ‘magic formula’. That ideal word count.
But realistically there is no ‘number of words‘ that will magically lure and captivate readers from all over the globe to your website. And sometimes writing to set word counts produces writing that is mechanical and inauthentic. Remember that the written stuff on your website is meant to be helpful.
PEOPLE DON’T READ a blog article because it’s exactly 1600 words and 7 minutes long, they read what is useful to them.
The word count should be however long it takes to tell your story, explain a concept, or detail a system. No more, no less.
Recently I saw a glaring example of a word count project that just didn’t work. It was for an accommodation website that listed hotels and resorts in SE Asia. The brief demanded a 300 word intro-description for each of the rooms (no, not the hotel but 300 words about the actual room). They gave a link with examples.
No I didn’t apply for the project.
Now I want you to imagine that you are looking for accommodation in SE Asia , are you really going to read through 3-4 paragraphs about the fragrance of frangipanis, crisp white tiles, and BBQ breezes that float effortlessly over the tressed balcony? I think the average punter wants to know how many beds, the WIFI access, or whether there’s air-conditioning and room service. Information better presented as bullet points.
I realise the SEO scientists will be shaking their fists at me (because google needs text to find you). But readers are people, and long flowery prose does not deliver information to them effectively. Especially when reading it from a screen.
Now I’m not suggesting that all website text needs to be short and in bullet points. It’s about the reader, and the message, and the information you are presenting. And it varies from post to post.
In fact here is a great example of a longer blog post that works really well. It’s easy to read, there is plenty of useful information, and it doesn’t repeat itself unnecessarily. Note: I don’t have any affiliations with Authority Hacker, I just like their website and podcast.
https://www.authorityhacker.com/best-email-marketing-software
So I encourage all of you out there (bloggers and website owners) write for your reader and not to a pre-packaged word count. Mould your content around what you are selling rather than a desire to pad out your website.
You have more chance of selling your stuff and getting the reader to hang around if they can quickly find what they need. Without have to wade through a mountain of repetitive stocking fillers.
© 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
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