Systematic Blogging – The Future of Long-Form Content
Why Long Form Content
Long form content has been a topic of debate in the world of content marketing. However, there are several advantages that showcase its effectiveness as an important strategy for creating content. This article explores these benefits to demonstrate why long form content is worth investing the time and resources necessary to create it.
There are good reasons for incorporating longer content into your content marketing arsenal. Here are some we discuss:
- improved search engine rankings.
- enhanced website reputation.
- evoking emotions through storytelling.
- solving problems with valuable information.
- excellent platform for case studies providing detailed analyses and insights into successful strategies.
Table Of Contents:
- Why Long Form Content
- The Power of Long-Form Content
- Three Reason Why Long Form Content Is Effective
- Evoking Emotions Through Storytelling
- Case Studies Driving Results for Businesses
- Best Practices for an Engaging Long Form Piece
- Repurposing Content Across Multiple Channels
- Quality of Engagement Matters More Than Length
- Create Content: Quality over Quantity
- Choosing the Right Channel
- FAQs in Relation to Why Long Form Content
- Conclusion
According to curata.com, long-form blog posts generate 7x more leads than short-form blog posts.
Check out these statistics.
Best Practices and Repurposing Content
We’ll also share best practices for creating engaging long articles. You’ll learn how repurposing content for different channels and why long form content helps achieve success with these efforts.
The Power of Long-Form Content
Long form content, consisting of more than a thousand words, is increasingly prevalent among bloggers, entrepreneurs and digital advertisers. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of topics and provides numerous benefits. Properly crafted, in-depth content is often more valuable to the person looking for that particular information than shorter content.
Short content is a lot easier to write and faster. It’s also cheaper if you are paying someone to write your content. The search engines value fresh content because that is what “searchers” are looking for when they type in a search term – the latest, most current content on a given topic.
Historically, marketing and SEO experts recommended that if you wanted to rank well in the engines, you needed to publish 300-500 articles (blogs) several times a week. This was common practice for a number of years and in many cases it served the publisher well. Short-form content published frequently is not a bad practice actually provided you publish more in-depth, longer content along with it.
Unfortunately, it also led to the creation of automated tools to create content which devolved into spammy content generators. When enough of that poor quality content got indexed, it led to search engine penalties.
Meanwhile, experts and authorities in their various fields continued to research, create and publish high quality, in-depth, informative information. This solidified their position as experts and “authorities” and cemented that authority in terms of search engine rankings while poor quality content got penalized.
Why long-form content works better than short-form content example.
Content strategy for 36 months –
2000-word articles
Suppose we create a content strategy for 36 months, where we publish 2000-word articles eight times a month. This will result in publishing 288 articles and approximately 576,000 words on our website. Twenty a month will produce 720 articles and 1,400,000 words.
500-word articles
On the other hand, if we follow a short-form content strategy of publishing 500-word articles twenty times a month, then after three years, we would have published around 720 articles with approximately 360,000 words. Fifty a month will produce 1800 and 900,000 words.
Comparing both strategies shows that the long-form approach has produced either 288 (or 720) well-detailed and comprehensive pieces of content containing a range from over 1/2 million to 1.4 million words.
In contrast, the short-form method only resulted in publishing a range of 360-900K of total content with significantly less detail on any given topic.
Assuming that both strategies include high-quality writing techniques such as thorough on-page SEO practices and strategic keyword research; it is more likely that search engines will rank long form contents higher due to their extensive backlinks network and overall subject matter expertise.
In conclusion, when we create long-form content, it can prove beneficial for businesses looking forward to establishing themselves as industry experts while also improving their website’s ranking on search engines through organic traffic generation.
A valuable long term accomplishment for any online publisher is sustainable organic traffic and that’s why long form content is such a good choice.
Why Long Form Content Can Get Better Results Long Term
Improved Search Engine Rankings
One major advantage of creating long form content is its potential to improve your website’s search engine ranking. Google tends to favor in-depth articles that provide valuable information on a given topic. By crafting well-researched pieces with relevant keywords integrated naturally throughout the text, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search results.
Enhanced Website Reputation
Beyond SEO benefits, long-form articles also help establish your site as an authority within your niche. By providing readers with in-depth guides and analysis, you can establish yourself as a knowledgeable expert in your field, thereby boosting trust and encouraging people to share your content. This not only increases trust but also encourages users to share your content with others – further expanding its reach and impact.
- Create long-form content: Aim for pieces that are at least 1k words in length; this allows for thorough coverage of any subject matter while providing ample opportunities for keyword integration.
- Focused research: Invest time into researching each topic thoroughly before writing; this ensures accuracy and helps support claims made within the article itself.
- Natural keyword usage: Integrate targeted keywords seamlessly throughout the text without compromising readability or quality – remember: user experience should always come first.
These are two of the primary reasons why long form content is a sound long range strategy.
Three Reason Why Long Form Content Is Effective
1) Solving Problems Through Valuable Information
One reason why long form content is effective is that it helps your audience solve problems by adding value. For example, Neil Patel and Bronson Taylor shared their extensive knowledge about growth hacking in an eBook that serves as a prime example of informative longer content.
2) Adding Value with Fresh Ideas
To create engaging long-form articles, focus on providing unique insights or fresh ideas as solutions to common issues faced by your target audience. This approach not only makes the piece more interesting but also establishes you as an authority in your field.
3) Clarifying Complex Concepts
Why long form content works well is it gives you the chance – by providing more details and clarify – to break down complicated subjects into easily digestible sections . Use analogies or real-life examples to help readers grasp complex topics better. SEO using easy-to-understand terms and offering practical advice to boost website rankings can be useful.
Note: Creating high-quality longer
content doesn’t guarantee success; the quality of engagement with your target audience and the value provided are what truly matter (source). The channel through which you present this information also plays a significant role in determining its effectiveness.
Evoking Emotions Through Storytelling
Another advantage of longer content lies in its ability to evoke emotions from readers through storytelling. By focusing on real-life experiences and creating an emotional connection with the reader, you can make your brand more relatable and memorable. Let’s explore some examples of how this approach has been used effectively.
Real-life Experiences
A great example of using real-life experiences in long form content is Patagonia’s “Climbing in Iceland with Loki the Deceiver“. This article tells a captivating story about climbers exploring remote locations while also showcasing their products. The narrative draws readers into the adventure, making them feel like they are part of it.
Emotional Connections
- The Power of Vulnerability: Brene Brown’s famous TED talk on vulnerability, which was later turned into a book, demonstrates how sharing personal stories can create deep connections with your audience.
- Inspiring Change: Long-form articles that tell inspiring stories, such as those found on Medium, often encourage people to take action or change their perspective on certain issues.
- Building Trust: Sharing your own experiences and challenges in long-form content can help build trust with your audience, as they see you as a genuine person who has faced similar struggles.
Narrating stories within your longer articles can assist in forming a deep connection with readers, making them more likely to interact and spread the word about your content. This approach not only enhances the overall user experience but also contributes to the success of your content marketing efforts.
Case Studies Driving Results for Businesses
Case studies are another excellent form of long form content that can drive significant results for businesses. By presenting detailed analyses of specific situations or projects along with their outcomes, case studies provide readers insights into how certain strategies work within various contexts.
Detailed Analysis
To create an effective case study, it is essential to thoroughly examine the subject matter and provide a comprehensive analysis of any difficulties encountered, solutions applied, and data-backed evidence in support. This may include discussing challenges faced, solutions implemented, and any data-driven evidence supporting your claims. For example, take a look at this collection of successful case studies by HubSpot, which showcases how different companies achieved remarkable growth using inbound marketing tactics.
Specific Situations
- Focusing on real-life scenarios: Case studies should be based on actual events and experiences rather than hypothetical situations. This adds credibility to your content and makes it more relatable for readers.
- Selecting relevant examples: Choose cases that align with your target audience’s interests or concerns so they can easily see the value in what you’re sharing.
- Presentation matters: Organize information logically and use visuals like charts or graphs when appropriate to help illustrate key points effectively.
To sum up, well-crafted case studies have the potential to significantly boost engagement levels while showcasing your expertise in a particular field. Remember that quality over quantity is essential; focus on providing valuable insights through detailed analysis within specific situations rather than simply creating long-form pieces for the sake of length alone.
Best Practices for an Engaging Long Form Piece
To create engaging long form pieces, there are several best practices one should follow. These strategies not only make your content more enjoyable to read but also improve its overall effectiveness.
Making Every Paragraph Count
Each paragraph in your article should serve a specific purpose and contribute to the overall message. Avoid fluff or filler content that doesn’t add value; instead, focus on providing relevant information and insights that keep readers engaged throughout the piece.
Including Eye-Catching Visuals
Incorporating visual elements such as images, infographics, and charts can help break up text while illustrating key points in an understandable format. Visuals, such as pics, infographics and charts, provide a break from lengthy text while presenting info in an easy-to-grasp way. Check out this guide on how to create infographics for some inspiration.
- Keep paragraphs short: Aim for three to five sentences per paragraph to maintain readability and prevent overwhelming readers with walls of text.
- Use headers: Break up sections with descriptive subheadings that give readers an idea of what they’ll learn in each part of the article.
- End sections powerfully: Create compelling conclusions within each section that encourage readers to continue exploring the topic further or take action based on what they’ve learned.
- Create fun masterpieces: Embrace creativity when you write long form pieces by experimenting with different writing styles, formats, and multimedia elements to make the content enjoyable for both you and your audience.
Repurposing Content Across Multiple Channels
When repurposing existing material across multiple channels, it’s essential to keep the content snappy and well-designed. For example, a carousel post on Instagram or a Twitter thread can be used to educate your audience about marketing strategies in an engaging way.
Carousel Posts on Instagram
A carousel post allows you to showcase up to 10 images or videos within a single post. This format is ideal for displaying small snippets of in-depth material in an easily comprehensible way. To create effective carousel posts:
- Select key points from your long form piece that are visually appealing and informative.
- Create eye-catching graphics or short video clips that illustrate each point.
- Add captions with concise explanations and calls-to-action (CTAs) where appropriate.
Twitter Threads
Twitter threads, also known as tweetstorms, allow users to share longer narratives by connecting multiple tweets together. When creating Twitter threads from long-form content:
- Briefly summarize the main points of your article using attention-grabbing headlines or questions.
- Leverage relevant hashtags and mentions for increased visibility and engagement.
In both cases, remember to include links back to the original long form article so interested readers can dive deeper into the topic if they wish.
Quality of Engagement Matters More Than Length
While long-form content can provide numerous benefits, it’s crucial to understand that simply creating lengthy articles doesn’t guarantee success. Engagement with readers and offering value should be the key focus when crafting long-form content for maximum effectiveness.
Create Content: Quality over Quantity
Focusing on delivering valuable information should be your primary goal when creating longer posts. Ensure that every paragraph adds something new and useful for readers. Avoid fluff or filler sentences just to increase word count; instead, concentrate on providing actionable insights and practical advice.
Choosing the Right Channel
The channel through which you present your content also plays a significant role in its success. For instance, publishing an extensive article about marketing strategies might work well on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn, but may not be as effective when shared as a series of tweets or Instagram posts. Before deciding how to share it, consider where your audience is most likely to engage with the content.
- Create engaging headlines: Capture readers’ attention from the start by crafting compelling headlines that accurately represent the topic being discussed.
- Add visuals: Break up large blocks of text by incorporating eye-catching images or graphics throughout your article.
- Edit carefully: Proofread thoroughly for grammar errors and readability issues before publishing any content online.
Incorporating these best practices will help ensure that both short and longer pieces resonate with audiences while maximizing their potential impact within search engine rankings and overall website reputation improvements.
FAQs in Relation to Why Long Form Content
Why is Long-Form Content Important?
It helps establish authority on a topic and encourages quality engagement from readers.
What are the Benefits of Long-Form Writing?
The Benefits of long-form writing include:
- better SEO performance.
- increased user engagement.
- higher credibility and trustworthiness.
- greater opportunities for backlinks and social shares.
- providing comprehensive solutions to readers’ problems.
Neil Patel explains these advantages in detail.
What is the Power of Long Form Writing?
The power of writing long-form content lies in its ability to provide valuable insights that solve complex issues while evoking emotions through storytelling. This type of content creates strong connections with readers by offering detailed analyses and real-life experiences that resonate with them.
Is Long-Form Better?
While not always suitable for every situation or audience, long-form can be more effective than short-form due to its depth, comprehensiveness, and potential for improved SEO results. However, both types have their merits depending on your goals and target audience preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have discussed why writing longer content is better for business owners, bloggers, and internet marketers. It can improve search engine rankings and enhance website reputation while also providing valuable information that solves problems and evokes emotions through storytelling. Case studies are particularly effective in this regard as they offer detailed analyses and insights into strategies.
When creating engaging long-form pieces, it’s important to use short paragraphs, strategic headers, and eye-catching visuals. Repurposing content across different social media channels can also help reach a wider audience. However, quality engagement is crucial for success along with selecting the right channels to distribute your content.
To validate the power of long form content, Hubspot.com shows the following:
- Articles over 2500 words get the most social shares.
- Articles with a word count between 2250-2500 words get the most organic traffic.
- Articles over 2500 words earn the most links.
If you want to learn more about why long form content is essential for your online presence and how you can create compelling pieces that resonate with your audience, visit Systematic Blogging.
