Why Short Blogging Wins the Internet
We writers might not like it
People don’t read blogs the way they used to.
They skim. They scroll. They snack on content.
If you’re writing a 1,000-word blog post like it’s your thesis on the history of the Roman Empire, you’ve already lost 90% of your audience.
Here’s what seems to work for me:
Short paragraphs: Think 1–3 sentences max.
Clear subheadings: That make the content clearer or add some excitement.
Bulleted lists: Like this one.
Bold text for emphasis: So key points pop.
A dash of humor: Because we’re humans, not PDFs.
The “Scroll Test”
One of my go-to checks, before I publish anything, is scrolling.
I literally just scroll through the draft like a lazy, disinterested reader. If I can’t follow what’s going on without stopping to actually read, something’s wrong. Your formatting should guide the eye like breadcrumbs in a forest of distraction.
Can someone scroll your post and still “get it”?
If yes: gold star.
If no: edit it.
Yes, making a text easier to skim, might lead to less money (on Medium, for example, where reading time is money), but I’ve found that people come back to read when they like the formatting and style. Otherwise, they just go away.
What I Love in a Blog Style
1. Brevity with Personality
I love a post that says a lot with a little. Every sentence should earn its spot.
But that doesn’t mean dry.
There’s room for punchlines, quirks, and personality.
Example:
“Marketing is just psychology in a hoodie.”
Boom. One line. Made me think. Mission accomplished.
2. Structure Like a Skeleton
I appreciate structure. In many ways.
Good writing is organized writing, I believe. There’s a beginning, middle, and end — but more than that, each section knows what it’s doing.
Some formats I like (that many hate):
Listicles with actual insight (not just filler)
“Problem → Solution → Mic Drop” setups
Mini-stories or metaphors that keep things alive
If your blog feels like a well-planned IKEA manual (but actually fun), I’m in.
3. Formatting That’s Visually Friendly
A big blog block of gray text isn’t appealing.
The blogs I love? They look inviting:
Big headers
Short paragraphs
Whitespace to breathe
Maybe even a cheeky emoji
It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being easy on the eyes.
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Humor
A little humor goes a long way. Just a sprinkle.
I’m not looking for stand-up routines in blog form. But I love a clever analogy, a witty subheading, or a well-timed self-roast. If you can make me chuckle and teach me something, I will read every word.
Examples:
“Minimalism is great until you realize your one chair has back problems.”
“SEO is like dating. Be interesting, consistent, and don’t keyword-stuff your personality.”
If you’re funny and informative, you win.
Skimmability Is Not Optional
We live in the age of skimming. Whether we like it or not.
Readers want to dip in, grab a nugget of wisdom, and move on with their lives.
To respect that, writing should:
Have obvious takeaways
Use bold to highlight key ideas
Break down complex thoughts into digestible pieces
Avoid large walls of text
Basically, write like someone might be reading this in line at the grocery store, while avoiding eye contact with the cashier.
The “Coffee Test”
This is my personal favorite mental trick.
Would I enjoy reading this with a cup of coffee in hand, half-awake, and possibly cranky?
If the answer is yes — great. Publish it.
If the answer is “ugh, maybe later,” then rewrite it. Tighten it. Cut the fluff and keep the fun.
But that’s just me.
A Quick Template I Use
Here’s a structure I often follow for this style of blogging:
Hook — Something relatable or funny (short!)
Why This Matters — Keep it under 3 sentences.
Core Idea — Teach something. Add value. No fluff.
Mini Lists or Steps — Make it digestible.
Takeaway— Something you can utilize or remember.
Outro — Close with something cool or just keep it short.
Simple, repeatable, readable.
The Bottom Line
If I had to sum up my favorite blogging style in a few words, it’d be:
Precise. Playful. Packed with structure.
This kind of writing respects the reader’s time and intelligence. It informs without lecturing. It entertains without rambling. It’s the kind of blog I’d want to read.
Can I write like this? Nope. Not all the time. Not entirely. But I try.
TL;DR
Short blog style > long ramble style.
Use structure, bullets, humor, white space.
Say what you mean. Make it skimmable.
Be clever, but don’t try too hard.
Treat your reader like a smart, busy friend.
And hey, if all else fails — bold the funny parts. At least you’re funny.
Maybe. But I'd argue that it depends on your niche, your vibe, and your writing style.
Take Paul Millerd, for example. I'm a huge fan of his writing. His authentic, inquisitive takes would lose their soul if forced into this kind of "punchy" structure. He may not go viral often, but his community is deeply loyal. There's something to be said for that kind of connection.
The thing is, his meandering thoughts and longer-form explorations are his brand. They invite you to think alongside him, not just consume quick takeaways. That's valuable too.
For me, whenever I've tried using AI to audit and improve my work, it almost always defaults to this snappy, bullet-pointed style without proper prompting. It's kinda annoying, honestly. The tools seem to think every piece of writing needs to be optimized for maximum skimmability.
But some ideas need room to breathe. Some thoughts require you to sit with them for a while. Not everything has to be a Twitter thread disguised as a blog post.
Don't get me wrong. The advice in the original post is solid for certain contexts. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. There's still a place for writers who trust their readers to stick around for the full journey.
Thnk you for this!