How Long Should A Blog Post Be? Your Guide For 2023

Wondering how long your blog post should be? It’s a question that perplexes many entrepreneurs and small business owners who are venturing into content creation. If you’ve found this post, you’re already aware that blogging is a great strategy to market your business. But you need more than that. You need details. You need to understand exactly how to blog in a way that will draw the right people to you. And this is one of the most practical questions that everyone asks, and it’s deceptively simple: how long should a blog post be?

While there is a simple answer, which is that in 2023 you should be aiming to write blogs that are around 2,500 words in length, that’s a shocking number that freaks most people out. And, as with most things, it’s not quite that simple. So, here’s a more comprehensive look at how long your blog posts should be…

What Is the Ideal Length For A Business Blog Post?

You might have heard that people today have shorter attention spans, demanding quick and concise information. But this doesn’t mean your business blog posts should be short. On the contrary, longer is often more beneficial.

Studies by Buffer point out that the ideal blog post length is around 1,600 words, while other sources like HubSpot suggest an even higher range of 2,100 to 2,500 words. These numbers may vary, but the consensus is that long-form content reigns supreme. The trend of longer content, averaging over 1000 words, is thriving for good reasons.

Our signature content marketing method, Divine Blogging, is built around a weekly longform blog post of 2,500 words. However, you will often find on our own posts that the length is even longer still – this one, for example, clocks in at 2,852 words.

In 2023, where content creation is concerned, if you’re wondering how long your blog should be, the answer – from a purely SEO perspective – is the longer the better, provided it’s also of the highest quality.

That’s the CliffsNotes. In other words, longform content will help you rank more highly, provided you have maintained a high writing standard throughout the post and the reason it’s longer is because it’s delivering great value. If you’ve simply padded it out with a lot of waffle, it won’t do you much good.

There are, however, concerns beyond SEO that may affect the length of blog posts that work best for your business. And of course, there are also time concerns and budgets to consider – if you don’t have the resources to produce longform content weekly (either in time or money spent) it’s pointless to build your strategy around that goal.

So, the question is a little more complex than it may seem at first. We’ll get to ways you can compensate for not being able to produce longform content later on, but for now, let’s dig into why you should be aiming to write longer blogs in 2023 (even if you’re not able to do so just yet!).

The Benefits Of Long-Form Blog Posts For Businesses

There’s a reason we recommend writing longer blog posts, and have been doing so for several years. Longform content has been an upward trend for almost a decade, and every year the length your blog posts should be (to ensure you get the greatest possible return for your efforts) gets longer. 

But why? Here are the benefits of writing longer blog posts:

Longer Blogs Establish Your Business Authority

When you create detailed and comprehensive blog posts, you showcase your expertise in your domain. You are essentially showing your readers that you have an in-depth understanding and knowledge in your chosen field. Each piece of long-form content you produce is a testament to your authority and mastery over your niche. In doing so, you build a level of trust and credibility with your audience. They will regard you as a reliable source of information and are more likely to return to your site for advice, information, or services in the future. 

At Rebel Wolf Marketing, we train entrepreneurs and small business owners to create content that not only informs but also instills confidence in your brand and business acumen. We do the same for our agency clients, who trust us to create content on their behalf; longer is always the way we go!

Longform Posts Enhance Engagement And Time Spent on Your Site

Neil Patel’s research indicates that readers spend 40% more time on websites that feature long-form content. Why? The answer lies in the value that comprehensive content offers. When you provide your readers with an abundance of useful information, they are likely to stick around longer, reading your content and exploring your website further. 

This increased on-site time not only improves user experience but also signals to search engines that your site is providing valuable content, which can boost your overall SEO ranking. Our courses at Rebel Wolf Marketing focus on teaching entrepreneurs how to craft engaging content that holds the attention of readers and encourages interaction, leading to higher engagement rates. We do this through Divine Blogging’s signature archetype method, coupled with the use of longform content.

Longer Content Attracts More Social Media Shares And Boosts SEO Rankings

Data has shown that long-form content tends to generate more social media shares and rank higher in search engine results. Studies have shown that posts exceeding 1,500 words receive significantly more tweets and Facebook likes, which means more visibility for your brand on social platforms. Furthermore, research has consistently shown that the top-ranking results on Google typically fall between 2,000 and 2,500 words.

While word count is important, as we’ve said quality is also key and this is particularly true where SEO and social sharing are concerned. Our training approach extends beyond just teaching you how to meet a word count. We focus on helping you create content that is not only lengthy but also packed with value. We believe in content that is unique, accurate, and effectively promoted – content that doesn’t just attract but also resonates with your target audience, fostering long-term relationships and business growth.

Higher Word Counts Enhance Opportunities For Backlinking

Long-form content often covers a subject in depth, providing valuable insights and details. This comprehensive approach makes the content more appealing for other sites to link to. The more backlinks your content receives from reputable sources, the higher its domain authority, which further improves its SEO ranking. Your ideal blog posts will invite these valuable backlinks, strengthening your website’s presence in the online landscape. The more detailed and unique your content is, the more likely it is to attract links.

You Have More Room For Strategic Keyword Integration

With long-form content, you have a greater opportunity to naturally integrate relevant keywords and key phrases without overstuffing or appearing unnatural. This helps your SEO efforts by allowing search engines to better understand and rank your content for specific terms. Our courses at Rebel Wolf Marketing teach you the subtleties of keyword research and integration, making sure your content is aligned with what your target audience is searching for.

Longer Content Facilitates Content Repurposing

One of the core aspects of Divine Blogging is taking that weekly longform blog and using it to create all the other content you need for an effective content marketing campaign. Detailed and comprehensive blog posts can be repurposed into various formats such as podcasts, webinars, eBooks, or social media snippets. This means you can reach different segments of your audience across various platforms, maximizing the ROI of your content creation efforts. Rebel Wolf Marketing’s approach to content strategy includes teaching ways to multiply the impact of a single piece of content across different channels.

It Builds Community and Encourages Interaction

Long-form content often invites more thoughtful interaction from readers. Whether it’s through comments, shares, or direct communication, a detailed post can foster a sense of community and encourage dialogue. This not only helps build relationships with your readers but also provides valuable insights into their needs and preferences. One of the great benefits of content marketing is that it enables you to build a community (often referred to as a tribe, though we prefer the term pack!) and leverage those relationships for ongoing business success.

Why 2,500 Words Is The Sweet Spot For Blog Length

Crafting a blog post that resonates with your audience involves careful consideration of its length. Among the various lengths explored by content creators, 2,500 words has emerged as a sweet spot for many. This specific word count provides a unique balance that supports deep diving into a subject, ensures readability, and aligns with industry standards.

Deep Diving into the Subject

A 2,500-word blog post offers a substantial platform to delve deeply into a topic. This length allows for a more comprehensive exploration of ideas, where you can:

Detail Complex Concepts: Break down complex topics into understandable parts, making them accessible to your readers.

Provide Multiple Perspectives: Examine different angles of a subject, fostering a richer understanding.

Include Supporting Data: Integrate research findings, statistics, and case studies to validate your points.

Essentially, 2,500 words enable you to offer a well-rounded insight that meets the reader’s quest for thorough information.

Balancing Readability and Value

Crafting a long-form blog post can be a tightrope walk between providing value and maintaining readability. Here’s why 2,500 words might be the perfect balance:

• Sufficient Detail Without Overwhelming: This length allows for an in-depth discussion without becoming overly exhaustive or losing the reader’s interest.
• Optimal Structure and Flow: You can structure the content thoughtfully, employing subheadings, bullet points, and visuals to enhance readability.
• Maintaining Engagement: 2,500 words offer enough space to tell a compelling story or build an argument, keeping the reader engaged without causing fatigue.

Alignment with Industry Standards

The 2,500-word benchmark is not an arbitrary figure. It reflects a standard that has proven successful in various sectors. Aligning with this standard allows you to:

• Compete with Top-Performing Content: Many successful blog posts within diverse industries fall around this word count, positioning you favorably among peers.
• Meet Audience Expectations: Regular consumers of long-form content have come to expect a certain depth and breadth that this length can satisfy.
• Leverage Established Practices: By adopting this tried-and-true length, you can benefit from industry insights and methodologies that have been refined over time.

Choosing a 2,500-word count for your blog post is more than a matter of preference; it’s a strategic decision. This length enables an enriched exploration of a subject, strikes a balance between readability and value, and aligns with proven industry standards. Whether you’re an established blogger or a newcomer, crafting content at this optimal length can position you to resonate with your readers and successfully compete within your niche.

2,500 Words? I Can’t Write That Much!

When you first hear the recommendation that your blog posts should be 2,500 words in length or more, the gut reaction is often one of panic. “That’s not sustainable every week!” “I can’t write that many words!” “I can’t afford to pay someone to write that many words!” These are some of the thoughts that might be pounding in your head. The concerns generally boil down to two major factors: time and money.

The Initial Panic: Time and Money Concerns

The idea of writing a 2,500-word blog post weekly may seem overwhelming, especially if writing is not your primary skill. If you’re considering outsourcing, the costs for long-form content can add up, leading to concerns about affordability. But before you dismiss the idea altogether, let’s explore why this panic might be misplaced.

The Reality: The Return on Longform Content

Longform content, when done well, is far more effective in marketing than short, shallow posts. Investing in substantial content can propel your business to the forefront of your niche or industry. Longform blogs can become the backbone of your business, forming the foundation for social media posts, emails, lead magnets, and more. Ultimately you can build out a full sales funnel using very little more than your blogs. 

The Solution: A Strategic Approach to 2,500-Word Blogs

Realize that by creating one 2,500-word blog each week, you can handle your entire marketing strategy. A single, well-thought-out blog post can be repurposed into various forms of content, maximizing its value. Yes, it might take you a while initially, but the return on longform content is higher. It attracts ideal clients, converts them, and ensures brand loyalty. 

And, if writing is not your strength, professional content creators specialize in crafting longform blogs. The investment can lead to exponential growth in your brand’s visibility and reputation.

But ultimately, even if you can’t write well right now, you can learn. You may not be able to write that much now, but you can learn. Anyone can learn to write effective, persuasive blog posts that are 1K, 2K, even 3K and more in length. Word count is just a number. Once you get in the habit of writing frequently you become more adept at writing, and more comfortable writing more. It’s like learning to type. When you first start you’re poking two fingers tentatively at a keyboard. Once you’ve spent some time doing it you find your fingers fly over the keys and you don’t even have to look where the letters are anymore. 

Finding the Right Topic: Attracting Your Ideal Client

While we’ve emphasized the significance of longform content and its myriad benefits, it’s not just about hitting a specific word count or ensuring that every word is packed with value. The real magic happens when you choose topics that your ideal clients are actively searching for and need answers to. Here’s why focusing on the right topics is essential:

Understanding Your Audience’s Needs

Identify Their Pain Points: What are the problems or challenges that your ideal clients are facing? What solutions are they looking for? Understanding these pain points helps you tailor content that resonates with them.

Speak Their Language: Use terms and phrases your audience commonly uses. It will make your content more relatable and easier for them to find.

Aligning Content with Search Intent

Keyword Research: Find keywords that your target audience frequently searches for and build your content around them. It’s not just about SEO; it’s about aligning your content with what people genuinely need.

Answering Real Questions: Create content that answers specific questions your ideal clients are asking. This can position your blog as a go-to resource.

Building Trust and Credibility

Provide Expert Insights: By writing on topics relevant to your audience and offering unique insights, you’ll demonstrate your expertise. It can establish trust and make your readers more likely to return.

Offer Real Solutions: Don’t just scratch the surface; delve deep into the subject and provide actionable advice. This value-driven approach can turn readers into loyal customers.

Measuring Success and Adjusting Strategy

Track Engagement: Monitor how readers interact with your content. What topics are getting more attention? Use this data to refine your content strategy.

Ask for Feedback: Engage with your readers and ask for their input. It can uncover new topic ideas and help you maintain alignment with their needs.

Writing a 2,500-word blog post is not merely a numbers game. It’s about creating content that aligns with the needs, questions, and concerns of your ideal clients. By focusing on the right topics, conducting diligent research, and delivering genuine value, you can transform your blog from a mere collection of words into a powerful tool for attracting and retaining your target audience. It’s an investment not just in words, but in understanding, empathy, and connection. By speaking directly to your ideal client’s needs, you make every word count in the most meaningful way.

How To Write Blog Posts That Are 2.5K Plus

If you’re down with the idea of writing that much but have no idea what to write about, you can learn that too – our signature content marketing service, Divine Blogging, is built around precisely this conundrum: what do you write your blogs about in order to attract the right people? Our unique system uses psychological archetypes to help you plan every topic you need to cover, every blog you need to write, and tell you when to post about what.

It’s kinda genius, if I do say so myself.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed at the idea of consistently creating 2,500-word blogs. Concerns about time, money, and feasibility are valid, but they must be balanced with an understanding of the undeniable benefits that longform content brings. By strategically planning and recognizing the multipurpose nature of a well-written blog post, you can turn what initially seems like a daunting task into a manageable and highly effective aspect of your marketing strategy. The success of your business could depend on embracing this approach, aligning your content with the needs of your audience, and positioning yourself as a leader in your field. It might sound overwhelming at first, but the results could be the game-changer your business needs.

And, if you’re really not up to penning 2.5K right away, you can start small and build on it. If you’re ready to embark on your content creation journey, advance reader copies of Divine Blogging, the book, are ready for download right now. Simply signup below and we’ll send you a free copy of the book that will teach you everything you need to know about building a successful business using nothing but content.