Blog posts don't have to convert.
My thoughts on: https://andysblog.uk/how-to-write-blog-posts-that-convert/.
Internet Archive link for posterity.
I came to Bear Blog for a few reasons, one of which is it's focus on simplicity and ease. Another was the community. A quick browse through the discovery feed on any given day will lead to an assortment of blogs ranging from technology related posts, to philosophy, to general life updates. Despite the dynamic range of these posts, they have one thing in common. Being that the users write because they want to simply write and share their thoughts(for the most part). Not for profit, or for attention. Again, for the most part, that is the vibe I get.
I had some disagreements about this post when I initially read it. I drafted a post however I didn't think to post them as I thought this might be seen as rude. That was, until I saw Jedda's post replying to a different post by Andy. This inspired me to press the Publish button for this draft. The following is what I had written up upon my initial read of Andy's post.
- A Blog Post Is an Ad
I don't believe it has to be one. I think a blog post can simply serve, as just that. A blog post. It can serve as an idea, an inspiration, insights for others. But it does not have to be an advertisement. In fact one of the key aspects of Bear Blog is that, it shall never serve ads. So for blog posts to become advertisement, just seems. Not right.
- The Call to Action Is Everything
Why does there have to be a call to action? Why does everything have to lead to something? Why can we not simply appreciate a piece of work, and just that. Read a book, and enjoy it. You don't have to go and write an epic after. You can bake a cake, but not have to open a bakery. I'm not sure if these examples are fair, but I hope the point I'm making is clear. If not, feel free to reach out and I can hopefully further clarify what I meant.
- Cut the Fluff
No! Don't cut the fluff. Less is not always more. Elaborate. Expand. Give me the devilish details, paint a picture with words in my mind. I have a personal distaste for short form content. Look sure it has its place very rarely. But for the most part all cutting the details does is lead to more misunderstandings and miscommunication. Points without context can result in vastly different outcomes. And if you have not had the pleasure of receiving a letter adorned with details about an individuals daily remarks, then oh boy, I do hope you get to taste this beauty one day. It's akin to waking up to rays of sunlight peaking through the blinds, creating playful shadows and beams of light atop your bed. Simply bliss.
- The Only Metric That Matters Did the reader do something? If not, it failed. Blog posts aren’t just to be read. They’re to be acted on.
I hope that every single reader of this post doesn't do anything after this. I would like this post to fail. In fact, I urge you to simply go about your day. Just read, no action. And I hope you have a lovely day (or afternoon, evening, or night)!
After reading my thoughts, I want to say that this was not, and is not a personal attack towards Andy. This is a disagreement towards the attitudes expressed in the blog post linked above. On and about a platform which I am passionate about and love dearly, and I do not wish to see it change negatively - what you and I perceive as negative maybe different - but I see the overarching theme of "Metrics" and "Call to action" as negative. I hope this is not seen as gatekeeping behaviour.
Should you, the reader, believe I am in error, please let me know. I would love to correct myself and educate myself further.