Don’t Sweat The Word Count
Hi Everyone,
I have posted this blog mainly for the newbies as I see the panic from some of you, and I know the feeling well.
Don’t Sweat the Word Count
When I first started writing my garden website my main concern was not how will I be able to build a website, though that was daunting enough, but where will I find a 1000 words for each new blog?
Every time I started writing I panicked, what if I don’t reach a 1000 words?
And I enjoy writing, I have always written things, poetry mostly.
But a 1000 words?
Scary stuff.
Many of you have probably wondered the same.
I see a lot of questions and cries for help here on WA about the word count from new members. (I still consider myself a newbie by the way.)
Well, all I can say is, take your time to write about what you know, write how you feel, research anything you don’t know enough about and the words will appear.
I have learnt some things that I found have made it easier for me to write naturally without worrying about the number of words.
Focus
Focus on your subject
Focus on your research of said subject
Focus on what your target audience need to know
Focus on what advice and guidance your target audience are searching for
Focus on the content, not the amount of content
“Focus” being the trending word here.
I find now that I can write my articles and the words come naturally and before I know it I have an article ready to publish, that is not only long enough for Google’s exacting high standards but one that will engage my readers.
Two of my blogs this week have reached, what is for me, the giddy heights of page one on each search engine, one of them only beaten to the #1 spot by BBC Gardeners World, who quite frankly could write gobbledegook and it would go straight to #1
Relax, be Happy
I’m happy with what I am achieving, I hope too that this blog may go some way to help some of you to stop worrying about word count and Focus on the better things instead. After all, we need to enjoy what we are doing right? Not be stressed out by it.
I wrote a blog today, sat out in my garden, relaxed and enjoying my day.
The words flowed easily...and so it goes.
All the Best
Louise
Recent Comments
67
Louise, that's the secret. Slowly, slowly. One step at a time. Relax and just enjoy writing. You're right. Don't worry about the numbers. Do one page a day if you can.
Joe
Hi Joe,
Yes I agree, if the words don't come, go do something else for a while.
I don't stress over it anymore.
Best Wishes, enjoy your day
Louise
Very nice article, thanks for that! I'm a complete newbie, came just 2 days ago so I don't know why 1000 words anyway :) Is it good because of ranking?
Hi Lenka,
1000 words is great for ranking, not only to get traction for keywords but gives you plenty of scope to let your readers know that you know what you're talking about.
Hope this helps
All the best.
Hi Lenka
If you write super long articles, somewhere between 4000 and 8000
words, you will find you can rank with multiple keywords. Would not like to read it although.
Hi Andrew, I understand. However, I personally prefer shorter articles when I'm reading something and also in speech I don't like much talk, rather going straight to the point so that will be a challenge for me :)
Thank you for the explanation!
Hello Lenka,
1000 minimum is the advice, but I have ranked on page one with blogs that are less. Writing more means that you can naturally use more keywords that can help with your ranking. Make the blog too long and it kind of turns people off reading it all. Well, it does me anyway.
Its a fine balance I believe, of a blog of the right length and of quality content. I personally think quality content is more important.
All the Best
Louise
Yes, absolutely, content is the key. Well, if 1000 is the recommended minimum then I'm in trouble :) I like short and concise texts myself and when I write it's also rather short than long. I'm glad you're saying some of your best-ranked blogs are less than the minimum, that gives me hope :)
Thank you, Louise. For a newbie like myself, and one who has a fear and anxiety about writing it is refreshing to read what you posted.
Hi Aaron, glad to help.
I felt the same about writing for my website.
I wish you great success.
Louise
So true. In the beginning, it seems like an impossible goal, but after consistent writing, it actually becomes more difficult to stop - at which point you can hone in on your style and edit your content to deliver a quality piece without any 'filler.'
Just keep writing.
All of us experienced the anxieties of writing for perhaps the first time in our lives to an audience. Write naturally like you are talking to a friend in the backyard.
One's writing will naturally improve every day we write and word count will increase as one feels more comfortable writing.
Anthony Bourdain said," write from the heart, and your audience will find you".
Making a living, making a difference.
Mark
Thank you Mark,
I agree entirely, its quite daunting.
Anthony Bourdain has it spot on.
Best Wishes
Louise
That is great is thank you for that.Would like to know can your article still be ranked in google if you have like 800 words?
Well, some of mine have been ranked on less than 1000 words,
I see the 1000 word mark as a guide, I believe the actual content, quality content is more important.
Write from the heart.
Best wishes
Louise
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Great advice. Thanks!
You're most Welcome