#blogging – Jean's Writing

What is the best length for a blog post?

Published on February 5, 2018February 3, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell28 Comments

Is there an ideal length for a blog post?

Well, like all opinions, everyone has one on this subject. Some “experts” suggest 2500 words. Listen, I’m no “expert” but I think that is way too long. Just my opinion. I try to keep my posts between 250-500 words. However, I do add links for those who want to dig deeper and read more in-depth on whatever the subject.

If you love to write long meandering posts, have at it. But I’m busy, and like many of you, I receive dozens of emails every day.

Not wanting to miss anything, I try to read them all. Well, maybe not each and every word. I’ll confess, the longer ones I scan for nuggets of information.

This past week I received a wonderful compliment from another writer. She likes that my posts are brief and to the point. Thank you, Marian.

“I like too that your posts are not long and laborious, attractive to busy writers like me. Thank you!” – MarianBeaman

Readers may prefer shorter content but search engines will hit more often on longer content. SEO or not, I believe brevity is important.

Readers need to know what to expect from your blog. Long or short, get to the point.

Here are my tips for writing good, consistent blog posts.

First, decide your blogging goal.
More readers? A shorter blog post may be the way to go. 250-600 words.
Selling a product? Very short blog content. Average under 250 words.
Desire more comments and conversations on your blog? The ideal blog post length should hit in the middle. 500-600 words.
Want more shares on Social Media? Again, hit for the middle. Write an informative article somewhere between 500-600 words.
More Google searches? The best blog post length for SEO should be longer. 1000-2500.

Know your audience and keep your blog goals in sight.

Have time to read more details about ideal blog posts? Then click the links below and read these bloggers/writers have to say.

How Long Should Your Blog Post Be? A Writer’s Guide by Joe Bunting

How Long Should My Blog Post Be? By John Rampton

For Blog Posts in 2017, What’s the Best Length for SEO?

Okay, question time.

How long are your average posts?

Have you thought about blog post length?

Do you think articles should be longer or shorter?

Do you prefer to read shorter or longer posts?

I HOPE YOU TAKE A MINUTE AND FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, JUST CLICK ON THE BUTTONS BELOW. I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

How to Write Blog Post Introductions That Make the Rest of Your Post Irresistible

Please accept my apology and my best wishes

Published on January 3, 2018January 2, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

My apology for disappearing over the holidays.

I’m sorry my blog went dark for a few days.

The plague came to my house. Plague – flu, one in the same as far as I’m concerned.

Hubby and I were both hit hard. First time in years we’ve caught the flu, and the first time I can ever remember getting it at the same time. YUCK!

And yes, if you are wondering, we did get the flu shot.

Reading emails, writing on my blog or writing on my novel were impossible. I couldn’t focus to even read a book. Needless to say, I achieved zero of my holiday goals. Sigh…

Although not a hundred percent, I am feeling a bit more human today, and ready to get back into the groove.

Now that you’ve accepted my mea culpa let’s talk about 2018.

I’m not much of a resolution setting person but I did want to set a few goals. Three seems manageable. Don’t you think?

Three goals for 2018.

Write more
Read more
Learn more

Every time I sit down at the computer, I learn something new. And, if you stay with me through 2018, I’ll do my best to share every tidbit I discover about writing and blogging.

What are your goals for 2018?

Are some of 2017 goals carrying over into the New Year?

From my house to yours, Wishing you a happy and successful 2018!

I HOPE YOU’LL TAKE A MINUTE TO FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, JUST CLICK ON THE BUTTONS BELOW. I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

How to avoid a scam? Pay attention and read

Published on October 9, 2017October 10, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

Don’t skim emails, read carefully and you can avoid big mistakes.

Thanks to Terry Ambrose I realized October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Why is this important?

Because those little ghosts and goblins ringing your bell this month aren’t the only spooky gremlins out to trick you. Nope.

There are hackers are lurking in our inboxes, on web browsers and social media just waiting to pounce.

So pay attention people.

Keep your computer security updated. Remember what happened when Equifax put off updating theirs when alerted? Yikes!

I know it is so overwhelming. Write blogs, read blogs, read and sort emails, pay bills, and in-between all of that finish the damn novel. I’m tired just writing this to-do list. Well a few days ago up popped on my computer screen these dreaded words, WARNING YOUR SECURITY HAS BEEN BREACHED SHUT DOWN AND UPDATE.

I have no idea what I clicked on! But I spent the rest of that day updating and cleaning up files, not writing.

But back to the post by Terry Ambrose. His great post came a day late for me but is a great humorous reminder that we just need to pay attention.

So, hop over and read

McKenna’s Take by Terry Ambrose

His reminder, to stay alert and pay attention, will make you smile.

Now tell me…

Did you know that October was NCSM?

Is your computer secure? Need to check on that? I’ll wait.

Do you click and scan emails or read carefully before clicking from unknown senders?

Has your computer been infected recently?

My inquiring mind wants to know…

Here are additional links to read more about Cyber Security Month.

Inception of National Cyber Security in 2004

Cyber Security Awareness Planning Toolkit

October is a spooky month for cybersecurity awareness

I’d love it if you’d stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Are you weary of the depressing News?

Published on October 4, 2017October 3, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Well, I sure as hell am.

The news is depressing as hell. Hurricanes destroying our country, leaving people begging for food, shelter, and water. My heart breaks every time I see how many people are without water.

WATER, for the love of God!

And now another devastating shooting in Las Vegas! Unbelievable! Horrible!

Like so many of you, I spent Monday glued to the TV, vacillating between great sadness, anger, and helplessness. What could I do? I’m too far away to donate blood. I don’t have millions to give. Even the people WE elected to enact laws are doing nothing to help this problem. So what could one little ole writer do?

Then I read a post by Sarah Brentyn and realized something is better than nothing and the collective little can become large.

“The pen is mightier than the sword” were first written by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.

So, I’m joining in Sarah’s challenge to help the ravaged people of Puerto Rico and taking it a step further by issuing a second challenge for the victims of Las Vegas. KEEP READING.

Sarah’s challenge: Flash Fiction Prompt for Hurricane Relief #Flash4Storms by Sarah Brentyn

Sarah Brentyn aka Lemon Shark has issued a flash fiction challenge in support of hurricane relief. She will donate $1 to hurricane relief for every flash that is posted (up to $50). She even gives a link to ligit charities.

Here is my flash fiction contribution to Sarah’s Challenge:

A Mother’s Nightmare

I rise, stumble and fall among the debris. A soft cry penetrates the ringing in my ears. On all fours, I dig and claw through what is left of our home. Tears streak my face with mud. I pray God send help, I am but one.

Sarah’s challenge inspired me, I will match her donation $1.00 (up to $50.00) to One America Appeal (https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/) for hurricane relief to the first 50 writers who link or tag me in the comments section with their 50 word Flash Fiction story.

However, I want to issue a second challenge in honor of the Las Vegas victims.

My challenge is: for the first 50 people who TWEET your Congressman demanding Congress do something to stem this terrible wave of violence, I will donate $1.00 (up to $50.00) to the Go Fund Me Page for Las Vegas Victims set up by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, Congress does have one bill ready to pass but it will not stop the violence. The SHAREACT. And may God help us all if it passes. I shudder to think what the body count in Las Vegas would’ve been without the sound of gunfire for the first-responders to run toward. This does not make any sense!

Silencers, Armor-Piercing Bullets: Congress Looks to Roll Back Gun Laws by ALEX SEITZ-WALD

Now before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I’m a big believer in the constitution and in the 2nd Amendment but I also believe we must enact smarter laws that protect life. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. I’m tired of hearing, mowed down like sitting ducks, fish in a barrel, or other stupid metaphors. Children in a school room, people praying in their church, Congressmen practicing on the ball field and now a crowd enjoying a fall evening concert. Still, our government does nothing.

It is time for we the people, not the lobbyists, to rise up and be heard. Let the pen be mightier than the sword or gun as in this case. There must be a way we can stop our country from being turned into a war game.

Join my challenge:

Find your Congressman here: Members of Congress
Tweet requesting that Congress pass common-sense gun laws, use the hashtags #CommonSenseGunLaws, #jeanswriting
Paste a copy of your Tweet in the comments section on my blog