Written on March 28th, 2006 at 09:03 am by Darren Rowse
How to Write for Busy People
Ben at Inside Firefox has written a great little post on how to write for Busy People (and lets face - most of us fit the category).
I think the six points they make are great advice for bloggers also. Of course that doesn’t mean you can’t break the ‘rules’ and still have a worthwhile blog - but they are worth keeping in mind.
- Making important points up front
- Clear taxonomy of headings, and lots of them
- Writing clearly and succinctly
- No long, unbroken paragraphs or tracts of text.
- Preferring bulleted lists with clear points to paragraphs.
- Use of emphasis in formatting to make important things clear
I particularly would echo Ben’s sixth point. I know that when I go to a blog and see long unbroken paragraphs that it’s a major turn off. I don’t mind reading long article but am much more likely to do so if I can see it’s well organized, not too overwhelming and if it gives me some hints at a glance as to what it’s about and what I’ll get out of it. First impressions count for a lot.
The only extra hint I’d add to Ben’s list is to think carefully about your main title. He’s mentioned headings which could include this - but I think if a title is designed well it can communicate a lot and be the thing that gets people reading or turns them away from your post.



15 Responses to “How to Write for Busy People”
mark
March 28th, 2006 10:50 am
I would also like to add that if pictures can be added to explain something more clearly, that is always good. Some people, like myself, are visual learners and prefer it than reading lots of text.
Tom
March 28th, 2006 11:19 am
Pictures in posts make a big difference. Good point Mark.
Busy Mom
March 28th, 2006 3:49 pm
I thought this was going to to how to write for me ;)
Good points, all. Thanks!
John Hood
March 28th, 2006 7:12 pm
These tenants are employed by Reuters and Bloomberg. Excellent advice.
Como Escribir para Gente Ocupada :: ProWeblogs - Generando Ingresos con tus Blogs
March 29th, 2006 4:33 am
[...] Darren Rowse toma un post de Ben de Inside Firefox sobre cómo escribir para gente ocupada y lo reiterpreta para para ser aplicado en Blogs. Una de las características de los lectores de blogs es que tienden a “escanear” mas que a leer entre los muchos feeds a los que se suscriben, para detenerse en aquellos que les interesa. Una vez que el lector está en esta etapa, si no se logra atrapar la atención en los 2 o 3 segundos iniciales, éste continúa su barrido. [...]
Small Office, Home Office Information » Blog Archive » Getting Your Message Across
March 29th, 2006 6:20 am
[...] You’ll find some good pointers on How to Write for Busy People at the other end of the link. [...]
Kevin Kennedy-Spaien
March 29th, 2006 6:42 am
The scariest thing about blogging under a time crunch is when you fall into this workflow:
1. Brainstorm directly into your blog writing software.
2. Edit for approximately 30 seconds
3. Publish
… Missing out on all the drafting, refining and polishing that good writing usually requires. It is especially scary if you start brainstorming with only a vague idea of the point you want to make.
its_me_shaners
March 29th, 2006 12:24 pm
Oh man , you should really write an article titled how to write when YOU’RE A BUSY PERSON!!!. I’d love to get that one down pat
le blog de davidtouvet.com » Blog Archive » Blog: comment écrire pour les gens pressés
April 1st, 2006 10:53 pm
[...] ProBlogger relaie un billet de Ben expliquant comment écrire pour les gens pressés. [...]
Tom McKay
April 6th, 2006 10:34 pm
Good advice, although I found Ben’s advice a little unclear. (um, “toxonomy”??)
As a freelance copywriter and former CBS Radio correspondent, I’ve spent 20 years fine-tuning ways to be clear and concise when writing. I recently finished a series of writing tips on my blog, Attract More Customers, which is all about writing and speaking skills.
My tips include ways to organize your thoughts in advance so you can write more quickly and painlessly. Check it out - it might help.
http://www.mainecreative.com/2006/03/write-what-you-mean-to-get-what-you.html
Cheers!
Tom
Mahesh Bhat
April 8th, 2006 3:23 am
I want to how can a VERY busy person write blog?
Any advice or tips ? :)
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May 17th, 2006 9:51 pm
The “Money-making Spamming RSS Tips Legal Podcast Blooper Flame Tags” Update
Today I continue my backlog-clearing series of link lists with ones about blogging and podcasting, including style, technicalities and legalities. If you blog or podcast and want to learn from others, I hope you’ll enjoy some of these:…
How to Write for Busy People » Graham English’s Integral Conversations
September 20th, 2006 11:34 am
[...] How to Write for Busy People [...]
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