Within Triberr there’s a function to give karma to posts.
You click a little graphic and give the post a thumbs up, or a thumbs down.
I enjoy testing the psychology of people, and yes, sometimes messing with their minds. This time I wanted to test the policy that bloggers and people give weight to blog posts that are filled with content and generally longer.
So, I posted a short post. It was titled “Copyright infringement is awful...” and then gave just a short piece of information afterwards. Roughly a 25 word post. Yep, very short.
And low and behold – it received negative thumbs. Thumbs down.
Bingo.
It demonstrated what I had originally knew would happen. Bloggers place value on content, and often that value comes in the form length, whether the content is good or not. Even though the post was something occurring in my life, a real event, not many took to liking it – because it was short.
What I like to point out is that the most powerful blog posts don’t always contain length as their mainstay. They contain truth. A point. A personal opinion placed in a public venue sharing worth and intelligence.
For example take one of my posts, “What is the meaning of life?” It’s a three word post – yet I believe – contains a message more powerful than 90% of my content. A type of power that has the capability of changing lives and moving. Real, literal movement in lives.
So for me that post is more worthwhile than some posts I write filled with over 800 words.
Now I understand we have Twitter for 140 characters. We have Facebook for up to 500 characters. And blog posts for an infinite amount of content. But I believe short posts and long posts all have their place on a blog.
Why not? Isn’t it your blog?
I continually notice this “rat race” for content on blogs, in leiu of sharing the bright (sometimes dark) content of lives. We often forget the stories. We forget the communicating. We forget the human.
Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe I’m right. It doesn’t really matter – but I’d love to hear your thoughts.
*Eventually blog fans took care of the blog post, and ended up generating a conclusive positive thumbs up score.
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
Read more about Christian 
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: dino_dogan
August 24, 2011 at 9:00 am
I love that you’re doing these experiments
I agree btw…I dont think the length is indicative of value. Conversely, I dont think long winded posts bring extra value at all.
Take a typical work of nonfiction. Its usually about 300 pages. Really? REALLY? 300 pages!?!?
So, you mean to tell me that every fiction author has exactly 300 pages worth of stuff to share on the subject of the book, all the time, every time?
Of course, the answer is no. But publishing companies couldnt charge 40 bucks for a 100 page book, which is what the amount of content the author had in the first place. So the publisher asks them to fluff it up.
Maybe Im getting off topic but it speaks to established conventions and how much they stink.
Short post, long post. Who cares? Be useful.
Dino Dogan recently posted..How To Build a Community of Fanatics – Video
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 11:13 am
I find the experiments rather enjoyable. Maybe I can generate some heated discussion, intense focus, and growth. Change only comes in the heat of the fire – right?
The problem I have with really long-winded posts is that I value my time ALSO. Yes, I enjoy reading blog posts – but when the post is spewing all this knowledge and information just for the sake of being a longer post, then it’s lost almost ALL value to me – because I’ve lost something that’s most precious and valuable to me in my opinion. Time.
Love your thoughts on nonfiction too. Man, I just wish more books would stick to what they feel is necessary – and keep out those extra pages. Some of the best books, and guides I’ve read are very short. The book, The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive is around 200 pages, and I’ve learned and been inspired more by that book than most.
Be useful. Perfect takeaway.
Twitter: wonderoftech
August 25, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Dino, good point. Many authors feel compelled to have their works be a certain length to satisfy publishes. That’s one thing I like about the Kindle. Authors are now publishing Kindle Singles, shorter works priced at $2.99 or less. A fellow blogger, Ashvini Saxena, just published his first Kindle Single, So you want to be an entrepreneur? http://www.amazon.com/want-entrepreneur-Become-successful-ebook/dp/B005DR34YO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314303252&sr=8-1
(Christian, I hope it’s okay to link a fellow blogger’s work here).
When authors are no longer constrained by the requirements of publishers, they may feel the freedom to be brief.
Carolyn recently posted..Steve Jobs – Tribute to a Genius
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 1:34 pm
No problem Carolyn!
Christian my man. Your posts are always worth the read. In fact I even email some of your posts to my friends to read. When things are measured systematical they always do not sure true value.
Eddie Gear recently posted..Guest Bloggers Invited To 49 Awesome Blogs
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 11:15 am
Well that’s a brilliant comment and compliment Eddie. Wow. Thank you. I’m stunned that you’d send to friends and share in the value – that means a whole lot to me.
You always know how to keep me going, and run full speed ahead with whatever I’m pursuing. I appreciate that Eddie.
There are bloggers out there these days who’s posts are so long, they would almost have to be the result of a drunken monologue into Dragon Naturally Speaking.
These guys must think that quantity is quality. I say any post that makes you think, if only for a brief second, is enough to add value to my life, regardless of length. Thanks for your thoughtful post, Christian.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 11:18 am
You sure know how to make me laugh Darren. Those drunken monologues can get pretty boring. Man. Awful sometimes.
Love your points here, Darren. Yes! Value! That’s what we’re looking for, right? Even if only for a brief second, adding value. You’ve summarized this well.
Appreciate it.
Seth Godin’s posts are invariably short yet he is regarded highly when it comes the the written word. Much of what he has to say is on things we already, “ah, of course!”, yet he garners respect.
Even master blogger Chris Brogan isn’t shy of short posts.
If you offer true value or inspiration in what you write, why say in 500 words what you could say in 20?
Sean Clark recently posted..Move WordPress to a New Server the Easy Way
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 11:25 am
And what I love about Seth Godin’s posts is that they’re short enough to really “grasp” the concept involved. When it gets too long, it’s almost like you’ve got to grab yourself a pair of magnifying glasses, pencil and paper to dissect.
And nope, Chris Brogan isn’t shy of smaller posts either. He moves things around, pushes borders and grows. And brings along a lot of people in the process!
Twitter: kikolani
August 24, 2011 at 9:32 am
I haven’t downvoted anyone’s posts, with exception to one (not yours) that was dreadfully awful and I wouldn’t have recommended anyone follow the advice in it because it wasn’t well researched at all.
That said, when it came to the Copyright post, I thought it was cute, but for me it wasn’t really a post – the combined title and content could have just as easily been a tweet. For a post, I would have liked to see more about how you found the infringer, what you planned to do about it, and what you would suggest for others.
Overall though, it’s just my preference and personal writing style – there’s no right or wrong answer about content length (unless you want to get into the rules for having content that will survive the next Panda update). Some of my shortest posts are probably at least 500 words and only less if there was an accompanying video or infographic (not counting my creative writing / poetry days). And since my preference is long posts, I generally share longer posts over shorter ones.
Anyway, just my two cents.
Kristi Hines recently posted..How I Use Triberr
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 11:22 am
I think it’s great to see the different ends of the spectrum. You being a blogger who keeps the short end at around 500 words, and others who are much, much less.
As for the copyright post – that was certainly another portion of my experiment. To gauge reader interest and interaction. I knew in my mind that I had a whole lot more information to go along with the post. Who copied the content, what I did about it, etc…but I thought to myself – hey, let’s make this a test to see WHO decides to take the time to ask about it. To dig deeper. Was great to see the results. With a committed, interested community – many WOULD dig deeper. Was a great way for me to discover potential in developing community research.
I always get upset by the boundaries and limitations imposed on us by larger groups. Who decided that items at 140 characters would be placed on Twitter, and only everything much larger would be placed on a blog? Well, Twitter. The big guy.
It’s interesting to test those waters, and find the why to everything.
Twitter: kikolani
August 24, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Definitely interesting to experiment. Plus if you go with what you find you’re most comfortable with, you’ll grow a community around that style.
I actually meant to add on my comment earlier that I did notice you answered a lot of those extra questions in the comments – nice way to generate curiosity and discussion.
Kristi Hines recently posted..How I Use Triberr
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 1:08 am
That’s a great point Kristi. I would never consider always writing very teeny, tiny posts – but I’m sure it works for some people. I guess it would even be interesting to me – to know that each day they would be coming out with some type of information that’s beneficial and worthwhile.
And thank you for taking the time to ask these questions, share your thoughts, and give your opinions. You’re one of the special ones who #care.
I remember Robert Dempsey writing a post about how long a blog post should be. And the content was something along the lines of “as long as you need it to be” or “as long as it takes to get the point across” ….something like that, don’t remember exactly now. I thought that was one of the best posts I’ve read…simple, short and gets the message across.
Eugene recently posted..Is the Color of Your Blog Making Your Readers Sick?
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 11:26 am
As long as it needs to be. A perfect thought to takeaway from this post. Each post has its purpose, and whether it’s long or short – just let it accomplish what it was meant to do!
That’s an interesting point. I struggle with making short posts for that very reason. I’m not sure how to really flush out an interesting concept well enough for it to have value in less than 500 words.
But you are right. Stuffing a post full of words won’t do you any good either. It’s about connecting, sharing something intelligent, or shining light on a truth.
Bryce Christiansen recently posted..Why Game Designers Are Better Motivators Than Your Boss
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 4:07 pm
and I believe if you’re inclined to write those longer posts, and it works well for you – then why break something that’s working? Some people just have an easier time writing more than others.
There are those, however, that I’ve witnessed who seem to be masters at stuffing great content into short blog posts.
How many posts get downvoted? Can we see when and who by? Kinda new to all this! I too like to experiment Christian! Love your thoughts here
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 4:09 pm
I don’t think you can see who downvotes the post – but on your Triberr streams you can downvote/upvote the posts on the public stream – and see who’s voting on yours in your own stream.
Very interesting experiment here Christian.
I actually think they should put a dislike / thumbs down in Facebook to help control content. This new Triberr experiment seems to have brought you some useful information. I love doing experiments / case studies on my blog.
I see your point about writing about actual content and the length of it. But if there is a super short blog post with information that doesn’t really benefit the reader that much then you should put it on a different medium then your blog like Twitter or Facebook
. That’s just my opinion though. However I do agree on changing up the length of your blog posts from time to time.
Michael recently posted..Ethicalim.com | Interview With Josh About Everything To Do About Niche Mini-Sites
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 24, 2011 at 4:14 pm
I think you’ve hit the nail right there. Does it have value for the readers? It doesn’t matter if it’s a million words or ten – as long as it promotes a big point, and value. Value. Value.
Great thoughts here Michael. Just love it!
I think thicker & meatier with meaning & feeling is better than long and pointless with no emotion, meaning or point. How many times have you finished reading an article & said “So that’s it? What was all that about?”
If it is 25 words or 2500 does not matter as much to me as if there is some substance, some meaning and something for me to learn from it.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 1:09 am
You want to be FED, Mark. It’s seems that’s what you’re talking about – and I agree wholeheartedly….aah, wait just a second….I’ve got to wipe off some steak juice from my chin.
Twitter: wonderoftech
August 24, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Hi Christian, Great experiment. I am very curious about what generates negative karma. I don’t give it, but I will block posts from my tweet stream that I am not proud to tweet (it’s not many). I really dislike negative karma, but it does push me to deliver my best content with each post.
I cut and I cut, but explaining tech in plain English takes a lot of words. I would rather have a long post that covers the bases than a short post that leaves my readers confused. But I know I don’t have to explain every feature of a device or app so I do try to be as brief as possible.
Thanks so much, Christian, for being willing to test Triberr. I will never give you negative karma. Ever.
Carolyn recently posted..I Need Your Help!
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 1:32 am
I think the karma availability is a great way to judge the quality of posts, and see where items need improving. We can ALL always write just a little better – and we progress weekly, if not daily.
I think in the industry of tech – long posts are more standard. In depth, covering all steps, photos even – the posts are a long, labor filled process. Man, you must get tired sometimes!
And thank you Carolyn for stopping by. Your support is incredible. Glad to know you would never give me negative karma. Just watch out – I just might go rogue!
Twitter: wonderoftech
August 25, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Actually, Christian, I think you did go rogue, and I still didn’t give you negative karma. Ain’t gonna happen. No way. No how.
I thought of you today as I published my shortest post ever. A little voice kept telling me to make it longer but I ignored the voice because I had said everything that I wanted to say. What do you know? Lightning didn’t strike and the post has proven to be quite popular. Go figure.
Thanks for your encouragement to keep it brief. It works!
Carolyn recently posted..Steve Jobs – Tribute to a Genius
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 6:20 pm
I guess it’s that “rogue” character in each of us that pushes through sometimes, breaks barriers – and moves.
It may even attract a little bit of negativity, but what good things come without fighting for at least a little bit?
Twitter: berget
August 24, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Hi Christian,
I haven’t been doing the experiments that you’re currently doing, but I have been watching the karma thing on Triberr and I’ve tested headlines (what that was a feature). And, to me an honest opinion was (and still is) the most important part of a blog post. It doesn’t really matter what we write about, as long as it’s a personal story. The same goes for the headline, it needs to be part of your personal opinion instead of just some generic thing. At least that’s what I think
Jens
Jens P. Berget recently posted..How to Focus on Writing When Your Cat is Peeing on the Kitchen Table
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 1:36 am
A personal story. Love it. EVERYONE has a story, so technically, we should all be pushing out some terrific blog posts – right?! Wish it were so for me every time….but I’m working on it.
Love how diverse the blogging community is. We all have something spectacular to share.
Twitter: wonderoftech
August 25, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Your headlines are spectacular, Jens.
Carolyn recently posted..The 10 Real Reasons Why I Love Spotify
loooong post vs. short posts? I wanted to say that content is the most important but sometimes the good content can be lost in too long post
and too short might not be enough. Ohh fun fun fun
Klaudia recently posted..New Type of TV Commercials
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 10:06 am
There’s just a great big whirlwind of thought here. You’re right. Fun, fun, fun. Debate. Answers. Drudgery. Where will it end?!
One of my favourite blogs is Seth Godin’s. And his tend to be shorter, rather than longer.
I do believe that everyone has their own style to communicate, but there is beauty in a post that is elegant and to the point. Editing down is a skill. One I appreciate.
Laurinda Shaver recently posted..My assumptions questioned. Daily.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 12:11 pm
It’s an art! It really is. Something I’ve been trying to work on. It’s AMAZING how much we can and SHOULD cut out of posts. Even within a sentence. The point can be given in very few words.
I’m not really familiar with Triberr.. But people thumbs downed your post just because it wasn’t long enough? I don’t think that matters, as long as the content is something you wrote yourself and stand behind – glad your fans brought the feedback up!!
Laurie
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Yes, it was down for a bit – but I think you make a valid point. If you believe in the content, and have a point to share, then WHY NOT?! It’s a blog, a personal space. People may choose to visit or not. Right?
Twitter: janetcallaway
August 25, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Christian, aloha. As you know, I saw that post and commented on it. It was timely as there seemed to be quite a bit of infringement going on at the time.
When I saw your post, I did wonder if you were doing an experiment or were just so “mad” about the situation that you could only write a short one because a long one would make you too mad.
Interestingly enough, I did see a comment from someone who thought it was “awful” because it was one line.
If all blog posts were one liners, probably people who start clicking. However, that one liner was a powerful statement that I felt compelled a response/comment.
Also, I agree with Laurinda that Seth Godin has definitely mastered the one liner or extremely short post.
As long as your post makes me smile, think or pull forth some emotion and be glad I read it, I say well done–be it 25 words or 2,500 words.
Thx so much, Christian, for taking us on another dance around the edge of the box. Until later, aloha. Janet
Janet recently posted..5 Tips for Effective Networking by The Natural Networker
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I just love hearing all this. It makes me giggle. I’d sure love to chat with that individual who called it “awful.”
And that’s really where this experiment has led me. Take for example, you. If you were to write a post that only contained a sentence – you you made me smile (as you mentioned) then why wouldn’t it be good enough?
I firmly believe blogging has become a little too contrived. Which, obviously means things aren’t being created spontaneously or naturally. It’s all this great big push to create contrived content that brings in links, more eyes, the search engines & traffic. What happened to being real, having a dream, and letting things fall where they may? Love the thoughts this post brings to myself and others.
I mean, many create lots of blog posts with almost no text – but then just a video attached and embedded. Although there’s value there in the video, there’s no text. But it’s still not bad either. Hhhm.
Hey Christian
For me quality has nothing to do with the length of the post, if you can provide me value with a three word post you are going to get my karma vote
Peter
Peter Fuller recently posted..How to Obtain the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 25, 2011 at 6:28 pm
And what a great outlook you have there Peter! Love it. Now let’s go convert some folks!
Hi Christian,
I read a lot of blogs, and from my experience, if the content is high quality, the length–short or long– doesn’t matter. I’ve enjoyed reading 2 paragraph posts as well as longer, 1500+ word posts, as long as the quality is there.
Marianne Worley recently posted..How to Transform Yourself into a Better Listener
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 26, 2011 at 1:18 am
Appreciate you sharing your point of view Marianne, and thoughts on the topic. It’s interesting to me that out of all the posts I’ve had running through Triberr, the short post I crafted actually received the second most amount of traffic. Crazy!
A good post is a good post; be it 3, 30, 300 or 3000 words long. If it brings value to the reader and makes its point than it deserves a thumbs up in my books.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
August 30, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Very much agreed Mr. Triple Threat.
I’m puzzled that people would thumbs-down a post just because it’s short. Who has time to read fifty posts of a thousand words each?!? If a post is longer than 700 or 800 words, I start feeling impatient. Wrap it up. You’re saying great stuff, and I’m learning from it, but I gotta move on. I guess that means I’ve succumbed to the pressure of the short-attention-span culture.
On the other hand, I’ll pick a novel over a short story any day. I guess I just don’t like my blog posts to be epistles. That said, the post of mine displayed below is my longest to-date. Touché. ; )
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..Extra! Extra! Get Your Sneak Peek Here!
Twitter: smartboydesigns
September 1, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Love those thoughts Courtney. I’m checking out the post now.
It seems we all have our differences, thoughts, needs, likes and pet-peeves. We can’t all be happy with everything that’s written, right?
Know that I admire you so much Courtney. I have a few friends who are aspiring authors and you have NO idea how many of them I’ve forwarded your blog to. I always use you as an example of an author who cares, gives, and loves!
Chris, I’m sorry I’ve been so long in replying. I’ve been sick and am only now getting to catch up on blog comments (at my own blog and elsewhere!).
But when I got the notification email with your reply above, it truly warmed my heart and made me smile so big! Thank you so much — for the compliments, for sending traffic, for RTing…and just for being you! You’ve got an open, easy way of welcoming people into your life, you brighten others’ lives and challenge them to think. I appreciate you very much. : )
And no, we can’t all be happy with everything that’s written. And that’s a good thing, otherwise we’d all be spoiled brats! ;-D
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..But I’m a Novelist — Why Write Short Stories?
Twitter: smartboydesigns
September 8, 2011 at 3:56 am
Well thank you Courtney. I’m so glad we’ve been able to connect a bit more in the past few days. It’s sure been a joy! I feel like our connections will be many over the course of the next couple of years.
I feel the same way. : )
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..In Which I Think My Navel Is Helpful
Unless it’s Seth Godin I guess, ay!? Yeah, I like short posts. Long ones make my eyes glaze over unless I’m the one writing them and even then, I skim my own once published!
Funny thing is, people LOVE short, snappy, inspirational quotes and those always get shared like cupcakes. So I reckon it depends on your style is and consistency. If you become known for shorties like Seth, your readers expect that and you get kudos. If you write the very occasional short post for impact, it could do well too.
I’m just hypothesizing. But, it sounds like it make sense, huh?
Twitter: smartboydesigns
September 3, 2011 at 11:56 am
I think for the most part people enjoy short posts on a daily basis, and then longer posts if they’re really wanted to research something and figure out a new topic, etc…But there will be those few who say they only like long posts – but that’s just not me.
Twitter: wsiabelpardo
February 4, 2012 at 4:08 am
I think there are two kinds of posts / writers.
The first one is: who is the destinatary of your post? If the final destinatary are you, you have to write the content you like, with the length you believe it’s optimal for you.
If the final destination of your post is a mass of public with concret interest, you have to write for satisfying their needs.
Sometimes both will be the same kind of post, somentimes they will be different.
That’s one of the things I like a lot about posting, it gives me freedom!!!
Twitter: smartboydesigns
February 4, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Love these thoughts.
I think if people were to realize, if they just write from the heart, they’ll find some sort of audience. They’ll “call those folks” from the crowd – and they’ll really enjoy the heart you pour into your material.
Writing is WONDERFUL!
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..Top 10 Ways to Green Your Business