Would you rather write 10 500 word articles, or 20 250 word articles?

I have written a lot of 500 word articles and 250-300 word articles. To me, it seems like the 250-300 word articles are easier to write. That is, I can write 20 250 word articles in less time than I can write 10 500 word articles.

Does everyone have a favorite article length, or am I just strange?

 

They each have their merits. For me, it's really more about what my clients want. For example: A client who wants to inform people about technical or complicated subjects will be better off with a longer article. A client who wants to toss some content up on a site to fill space is better served with several shorter articles.

As for my preference, it depends on the subject matter and how the client wants it presented. Personally I am a big fan of "start at the beginning and when you come to the end, stop." That, however, isn't usually favorable for clients who have to deal with a lot of restrictions on their copy and articles (budget, space, time, attention span of readers, etc).

 

Personally, for me, in the majority of cases I would pick the ten 500 word articles. This way you can get into the flow of an article and not only write it quicker than two articles of half the size, but also enjoy it more. I just feel with shorter articles it is sometimes hard to put all the information in that small space, but if it's a small niche with little information to research from, then the shorter articles would be a lot easier.

 

See, I think the problem for me is that the 500 word article carries a stigma of fear with it. What if I write the article, and it doesnt reach 500 words? What if I cant come up with an extra hundred words when I am at a loss?

I think my brain freaks out when it sees "500 words needed" and I lose my composure, so it takes me longer to overcome my own emotions while writing.

 

There have been times where I've thought the same. Infact, once, I got to 420 (ish) words and couldn't think of anything else to put. I had covered everything that I needed too, so I scrapped the article and started again, and after rewording what I'd previously put (not padded out, still my best work) I hit around 550 words. I think sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and have another go.

To me, the thought of having to write 20 articles is quite daunting, so I can understand where you're coming from.

 

It depends on many factors. What the topic is, how much knowledge you have, and how much the topic interest you are three main factors. On certain topics, I can write 500 words in almost no time without a struggle. With topics I have less interest, I struggle to cover 500 words.

However, the number one key factor is what the client wants. If your market ask for 500 word articles, you have very little choice if you wish to make money.

 

I think I understand what you mean. I often encountered that when I was still studying journalism and the professors asked me and my classmates to write lengthy pieces (usually a 2-pager which is around 1000 words).

But there are things you can do about it. First of course would be to do an exhaustive research. The more materials you have, the more things you can write about the topic. Sometimes you have tons of information that 500 words suddenly become insufficient in covering the entire topic.

Another thing to do to overcome this fear is by having an outline of the piece that you're writing. In my experience, it's much easier to write when you have an outline you can refer to.

Just do it. Don't think too much about reaching the quota, but rather on how you can provide a well-written article within that frame.

Hope that helps.

 

500 words is easier if you already have enough information.

 

It all depends upon your requirement I think.

 

In my experience, it's usually faster to write 20 x 250 words than 10 x 500.

500 words requires some articulation of ideas, while 250 words is closer to a simple remark: easier to achieve with less effort involved.

 

It is easier to write more short articles, since most articles are comprised of basic fluff (and I mean nothing bad by this) that make up the introduction / conclusion. Both clients, and readers expect more from a 500 word article than two 250 ones, and it also means less research if you're not used to the subject.

Shorter articles are also a lot better for Adsense websites.

 

Hi

Whats important is subject matter in any good writing.If it requires a detailed expression then length may vary .But to hold the attention span of the reader ,a short article written well would be ideal.
Vocabulary plays a vital role .A topic of general awareness evokes interest and makes it a pleasurable reading .I believe articles should recah out easily to lay man without taxing much on literary terminology.
So to me its not about length but about essence that matters.


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QUOTE=shkad14;9605635]I have written a lot of 500 word articles and 250-300 word articles. To me, it seems like the 250-300 word articles are easier to write. That is, I can write 20 250 word articles in less time than I can write 10 500 word articles.

Does everyone have a favorite article length, or am I just strange?[/QUOTE]

 

I'd much rather write 10 500 word articles. With the 20 articles, I'd have to stop and get started too many times.

 

I prefer 5 1,000 words articles - but then I usually have a lot to say on a topic.

I agree that the shorter "fluff" pieces are usually easier to write. They aren't deep and can't afford to be to stay in the confines of the word count. I love them, but sometimes get frustrated at how shallow everything seems in that sort of piece.

 

Shorter articles are easier to write, but longer articles take less time to right because you don't have to do the research as well, I prefer shorter articles because I'm not the best person at bulking out information.

 

Hey I think I belong to this category. I write less often but whenever I write I go full round.

Actually I observed, short articles are easier to write & conveys message quickly to readers.
Your visitors dont really spend more than 5-10 secs most of the times. So if you could convey the message quickly it's better.

 

I would definitely prefer to write less articles at 500. I think that, as someone has already mentioned, stopping and starting a lot takes up more time than getting into the flow of a 500 word article. I do not think 500 words is that much for a topic that you know even reasonably well, so if it is on a topic that is relatively easy to research it will definitely be easier to write than compacting everything so much into 250 words.

 

I have a heap of both on my desk right now, and I'm doing way better with the 250 word articles. They're not as intimidating, for one. And they don't come out looking like I needed filler - which I have needed for a few of the 500 word ones!

 

For me, a 500 word article would be great since you could properly get your thoughts rolling on the subject matter. Although, the problem is if you lose your train of thought then you would have a hard time in reaching the 500 words of your article. A 250 word article is easy to do but the information that is conveyed in a 250 word article is limited and not too informative though. To a writers perspective, it is easier to come up with 250 words on a particular topic

 

I would have thought that a freelance writer would be writing what their customer wants??
Most webmasters, IMHO, would prefer to see 500 word articles to 250 word articles as the web page needs to have some substantive content in order to be of any value and therefore rank well in SERPs.
I can see the attraction of smaller articles to the writer in terms of turnover, but again, IMHO, 250 words is just getting started and isn't nearly enough text to talk about most subjects.