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Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Long enough for me to get my point across without any worthless filler!

Mar 28, 2015 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Depends on the subject matter.  However, if the draft goes longer than 40 or so lines, it might be broken into more than one post.

It's hard to concentrate on long, long posts.

Mar 28, 2015 06:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

if what you're blogging about is a product related profession like flooring or cabinets or countertops, then a 2,000 word post is expected and will be read... the more detailed, fact filled information, the better.... but I think 300 words is more than enough for any real estate topic or display of a listing....

Mar 28, 2015 03:56 AM
Rainmaker
38,609
Holleay Parcker - Spinnaker Realty - Serving Clients From Corolla to Hatteras
SPINNAKER REALTY LLC - Kitty Hawk, NC
With 14 Yrs Experience in Outer Banks Real Estate

Hi Praful;

Huh.  Until right now, I hadn't thought about posts in terms of length so much as in fleshing out the topic at hand.  Sometimes I can do that relatively quickly, and other times, more discussion is required. Typically, I know when I'm finished because I feel 'complete' with the answer, whether it's a long one, or a shorter post. 

 

Mar 28, 2015 04:15 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Not one word more than needed to convey the full message correctly interpreted by the reader OR the minimum to get credit for the points.

If the writer is known for 'cliff notes' topics...then keep it brief and fluffy.

If the writer is known for in depth, actionable topics, don't disappoint the reader, give them a blog with fabric.

If the perception is the reader has such limited time that subjects of fabric are unreasonable, the real question must be what is the PURPOSE of the blog?

In most cases it not about conveying substance it is to create traffic that makes the search engines think something important is happening.  So, what is the PURPOSE?

 

 

 

 

Mar 28, 2015 03:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

The post should be as long as it takes to get the point across.

Mar 28, 2015 03:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,767,614
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I agree with all who say "It depends." That said, it should use the number of words required to clearly convey the message and no more. 

When a writer starts wandering off on side trails (or repeating things over and over and over) readers lose interest and leave. 

Padding to increase word count is always a bad idea. 

Mar 30, 2015 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,432,649
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I try to do 300 words min on AR and if it getting too long I break it in two.

Mar 30, 2015 04:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Of course, members who "post for points" with their 6 line entries probably don't have many subscribers.

Mar 30, 2015 03:22 AM
Rainmaker
539,468
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

For my WordPress blog, I use the popular WordPress SEO by Yoast plugin.  It reviews your blog draft for good SEO before you publish, and will give you a warning if the draft is under 300 words.

I don't like reading long posts.  The post should focus on one topic or keyword phrase.  If you want to talk about several topics, they should be in separate posts.  A long post could also be broken into Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, etc.  In fact, there is WP software that can be used to turn a series of blog posts into an online course.

Mar 30, 2015 03:19 AM
Rainer
86,514
Mike Kelly,CRS,CIPS
The MJKelly Team - Santa Rosa, CA
"One of Sonoma County's Natural Resources"

I've been adivsed to keep it to 1,000 words. The Word Press blog I use has a great feature in that it checks to make sure the content of your blog post matches the title and that you are using key words to give it better seo. I write a column for our local daily every other week and they have me pegged at 1,000 words. Takes me about an hour to do. I've been licensed since 1978 and can usually call on my background to come up with compelling articles. I try and stay clean of the "10 top things" blogs. However, I do try to pull them in with an intriguing or timely article headline. My best column which I post to "Active Rain" was on "Buyers strategies in a Multiple Offer Market" It's up to 1800 views. I reprised the set of articles on multiple offers recently and they are generating the same reponse. TIMELY information on the market is always desired by buyers and sellers.

Mar 30, 2015 03:19 AM
Rainmaker
263,898
Sandra Paulow
Aspen Properties, Inc. - Pinetop Lakeside, AZ
REALTOR, Associate Broker, GRI, SFR

As many words as it takes to say what you want to say.  I do have to edit my own because I tend to be wordy.   I try to keep them short, sweet, and on point.

Mar 30, 2015 03:16 AM
Rainer
557,375
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Very interesting comments from very interesting commentators.

Mar 30, 2015 03:09 AM
Rainmaker
94,459
Tamara Dorris
Master Your Market Real Estate Coaching - Carmichael, CA

I'm a fan of short blogs. I think that's because if I open someone else's blog to read and it's really, long, I won't read it (unless I really need the info). Life goes too fast and people are in a hurry.

Mar 30, 2015 02:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I don't know really - we used to have that counter but I'm not sure if that is still in the works. I just write.

Many people are WAYYYYYY toooo long & when tht happens I think you should chop it into sections/parts. Honestly, I won't read them if they are too long. I'm not on AR to read a novel.

Mar 30, 2015 02:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I hear 100 words is recomended, but many of us don't have the time to read that much.  I think 200 to 350 is plenty.

Mar 28, 2015 02:31 PM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Praful, the ideal length of any blog post should be to get the point across, and then stop.  Sometimes that takes me 1000+ words, other times it's more like 300 words.  Usually if I have less to say than 250-300 words I don't think it's something worth blogging about.

Mar 28, 2015 02:31 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I don't like to be too wordy. I think you lose some people that way. Plus if you are offering information, wouldn't it be nice to leave some questions unanswered so the consumer calls you? I don't think you have to write a novel to be impressive. Just get the message out there and do it so you don't lose the reader. 

Mar 28, 2015 01:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Great question and one that anyone can answer if they just remember that there are fewer points remembered by a reader the longer the post.

Mar 28, 2015 08:21 AM
Ambassador
5,829,143
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Praful- it depends upon the topic.  I want to get my point across but not be so long that I've sent the reader away due to its length.  And yes, as Lenn Harley suggested, if it gets to be too long, I'd consider making it 2 posts. 

Mar 28, 2015 07:48 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

60-85 words...people get bored after that...Heck, I get bored at long posts and don't always have the time to read 1000 words.

Mar 28, 2015 07:11 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Diana Dahlberg - yes, not to lose reader's interest is the key.

Mar 31, 2015 06:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Gene Riemenschneider - now that's a neat idea...

Mar 31, 2015 05:57 AM
Rainer
509,531
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

I'd have to say that with a few exceptions, the ideal length of a blog post for me is between 300-500 words.  There was a member of AR that I think used to make all their posts not take up more than a screenful ("above the fold") and I thought that was good.

Mar 30, 2015 10:38 PM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

One reason why I like the Q&A section is the short read. Just get to the point. I do understand the issue of SEO with the Q&A. So how long not long. I have notice the post appear to be getting longer. I wont read pass the first paragraph. 

Mar 30, 2015 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
450,126
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach

It's funny, but I tend to write longer posts on my blog than I do on ActiveRain. Sometimes my AR posts are used more as a way of communicating with the AR community. 

Mar 30, 2015 12:34 PM
Rainer
149,298
Theresa Akin
CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP - Corpus Christi, TX

I get carried away in my comments. God help me if I blogged but I agree with Barbara Todaro. Also depends on the subject.

Mar 30, 2015 12:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,139,819
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

I would do less posts and longer posts if you are trying to rank for the post.  If you doing them for links back to your websites better shorter.

Mar 30, 2015 10:53 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Lots of responses ... liked them all.  However, the best number is whatever is needed to get your point across ... and not lose the reader's interest.  But over 300 so you get your SEO.

Mar 30, 2015 10:49 AM
Rainer
82,920
Jim Miner
Miner Noh & Associates - Phoenix, AZ
Loan Modfication & Short Sale Specialist

Long enough to direct them to your video.

Mar 30, 2015 10:19 AM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

All my blogs are the perfect length.;)
In all seriousness though perfect length this whatever length that takes to get the message across.
Keep in mind though most people have a very short attention span.

Mar 30, 2015 09:43 AM
Rainer
86,514
Mike Kelly,CRS,CIPS
The MJKelly Team - Santa Rosa, CA
"One of Sonoma County's Natural Resources"

I was at a video class and they recommeneded telling "your story" in 15 second "movies"! Yeah--15 seconds. As a society we have the attention span of a gnat!

Mar 30, 2015 08:30 AM
Rainer
39,897
Pam Maglione
Pam's VAS - Levittown, PA

I agree with the majority in regards to using as many words as needed to get your point across. I would say for longer posts to keep the info organized as well as include photos. Although I enjoy reading informative posts, if all I see is a page of words . . I tend to just skim through the article as ADD kicks in ;)

Mar 30, 2015 03:46 AM
Rainmaker
396,289
Jill Watts
Realty Pro, Inc. - Vancouver, WA
A Luxury Experience at Every Price Point!

Good question.   I think Activerain has a number of words that make it a "counted" blogpost. Is that 250 words???

 

I am learning to use the Blogging Blueprints, it's very helpful.

Mar 30, 2015 02:17 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Depends on what you are blogging for.

Google wants "content"  Minimum of 300 words and ideally 500-750+. 

AR people want a fun read 300 words or less.

If the subject it dry and the words are hard to read...crammed with no spacing or division, a paragraph can be too long.

Eve

Mar 30, 2015 02:16 AM
Rainmaker
2,577,471
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

When a post goes past 300 words I seem to loose interest...of course this depends on the writer and if it is an interesting subject.

Mar 28, 2015 11:50 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

It depends on my target.  If my target is my potential customer, then minimum of 1000 words and often 1500-2000+ words (assuming that is what is needed to address the topic).  That's what works well (usually for their needs) as well as ranking well in google...in fact has a huge impact on google.

If I'm writing fun posts for AR people, shorter is better...maybe 300-500 words (and sometimes I do more like 200 words).

I've also done a few "helpful" (or what I hope is helpful) how to's for members here that have been on the longer side as that is what was needed.

One of the keys for longer posts is for them to be well orgazed, lots of white space and lots of pictures.

Mar 28, 2015 08:14 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Like Barbara Todaro I find in depth posts very useful when the topic merits it. Otherwise keep it short, and for marketing a property under 300. But include pictures!

Mar 28, 2015 05:29 AM
Rainer
305,560
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Long enough to get the message across but short enough to keep them actually reading it.  LOL

Apr 04, 2015 09:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tamara Dorris - short is sweet! 

Apr 01, 2015 01:52 PM
Rainmaker
432,957
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

I like the shorter blogs, if they are too long I end up skimming them rather than reading them. 

Mar 31, 2015 11:20 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jim Miner - well that's the purpose - to drive the lead to your site.

Mar 31, 2015 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Bob Crane - that's a great answer - length as per the need and that's perfect!

Mar 31, 2015 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI - now that itself is a good point....

Mar 31, 2015 05:55 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

The one people read.

Mar 22, 2018 11:30 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Yes, we don't want our readers to run away from our posts.

Apr 04, 2015 01:59 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tammy Adams ~ Realtor Maricopa, AZ - that's a perfectly balanced answer!

Apr 04, 2015 01:58 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Thanks all for stopping by, really appreciate it.

Apr 01, 2015 01:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Kathleen Luiten - it depends is the best answer, I guess....

Apr 01, 2015 01:56 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Debbie Gartner - you have very informative posts and can't be contained in 300 words! And I like them, too.

Apr 01, 2015 01:56 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Rebecca Gaujot, the GO TO REALTOR - most of us have same thinking - not more than 300 words.

Apr 01, 2015 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mike & Eve Alexander - well, we do it for Google..

Apr 01, 2015 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jill Watts - Google changed lots of things for SEO, including length of the blog!

Apr 01, 2015 01:54 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Lyn Sims - and I won't read it if it is too long either - unless there is a compelling reason to read.

Apr 01, 2015 01:53 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Kimo Jarrett - you got it!

Apr 01, 2015 01:52 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Sandra Paulow - makes sense.

Apr 01, 2015 01:51 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mike Kelly - if it is interesting, I think 1000 words may be okay.

Apr 01, 2015 01:50 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Lenn Harley - they miss the best part of being in our community! (And those points don't help them either!)

Apr 01, 2015 01:49 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Marte Cliff - 'it depends' is the best answer for most questions...!

Apr 01, 2015 01:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Shanna Hall - exactly, that's what I am afraid of.

Apr 01, 2015 01:45 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Kathy Streib - so true. If need be, split into two posts. I am not a fan of too long a post either.

Mar 31, 2015 06:05 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mike Kelly - wow! Only 15-sec video!

Mar 31, 2015 05:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Pam Maglione pictures makes lot of difference - and help us reduce the size of the post.

Mar 31, 2015 05:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mike & Eve Alexander  -makes sense to blog for Google - and AR.

Mar 31, 2015 05:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

S. Leanne Paynter ~ Broward County, FL - with you on that. No need to write long posts if not needed.

Mar 31, 2015 05:54 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Frank Rubi, MBA - yes, Q&A is great option for many of us.

Mar 31, 2015 05:53 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Dana Hollish Hill makes sense. I love to communicate here on AR, too.

Mar 31, 2015 05:53 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Theresa Akin - so true!

Mar 31, 2015 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239 - wasn't aware of that....

Mar 31, 2015 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Rebecca Gaujot, the GO TO REALTOR - I am with you on that....

Mar 31, 2015 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Kathleen Luiten  - makes sense to keep it short when not needed for sure.

Mar 31, 2015 05:51 AM