Make One Point Per Post

Another blogging tip is to make one, and only one, point per post. Trying to cover two or more points is a distraction that will turn off readers, cause confusion, or risk them missing key communication.

For some bloggers this is easy, while for others, sticking to one point is difficult; but remember, we respect our readers with concise, focused writing. Keeping our posts short will help us achieve the goal of one point per post.

To re-enforce our one point, we can certainly make sub-points, often in the form of a numbered or bulleted list. If the explanation of each sub-point balloons out of control, then perhaps each sub-point needs to be a separate post.

Usually, I know what my one point is before I begin writing. Other times, the point emerges as I type my explanation of the title. If a second point materializes, I just break the text into two posts.

Some bloggers have a free-form style; their writing is a stream-of-consciousness narrative. They have no idea where their writing will take them and neither do readers. I think this is sloppy, a sign of undisciplined writing. While some bloggers who do this have a following anyway, most avoid falling into this habit. We should do the same.

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Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.