7 Powerful Tips for Writing Concise Articles
Slash Your Read Time
Coming back to Medium after a few years wasn’t easy. I’ve got plenty of ideas! I’m not that bad at writing! This is going to be a blast! — I thought. And then I went on to scribble several eight-minute pieces. A few ended up being over ten minutes long (facepalm).
I’m sure many new writers (or returning ones) can relate. And no doubt, there are plenty of valuable and interesting stories to share. But let’s be real: no one has the time for my ten-minute rambles. I’m not being discouraging, only realistic. My stats say it all: shorter stories get better engagement.
I’m trying to evolve and write smarter — after all, some of us share fiction, poetry, as well as other types of scribbles. The first two attract a different audience, but other types of content should be scrutinised. It should be concise and valuable for best engagement, ideally three to five minutes of reading time. And yes, we can still throw a punch and be happy with our form of literary expression.
So, how do we do it?
1. Content and focus
- Hook them early: punchy headline, engaging opening
- Stick to one (sub)topic or a narrow niche
- Offer actionable insights
- share tips and advice
- provide valuable takeaways - Prioritise clarity and conciseness
2. Length and timing
- The optimal length seems to be three to five minutes
- Don’t sacrifice quality:
- insightful and thought-provoking
- well-researched
- valuable and well-written despite the small word count - Use visuals to efficiently break up text, explain your topic and add more value.
3. Engagement and optimisation
- Catchy and relevant headline to attract attention
- SEO optimisation to improve search engine visibility and organically drive more traffic
- Promote your work:
- submit to relevant publications
- share your articles on social media
4. Structure for skimmers
- Use clear headlines
- Create numbered lists
- Actionable advice — as bullet points
We are artists and creators, but there’s little to no satisfaction if no one reads us. Therefore, it’s important to analyse our audience insights and make data-driven decisions. Adapt. Leverage your data and adjust your creative approach accordingly.
Ultimate hacks to shorten your scribbles
Some of us are great writers that require little to no editing. But good editing can turn a mediocre writer into a superstar. If you’re not convinced about your piece — edit.
5. Read out loud:
- you’ll find awkward phrasing
- helps to reduce unnecessary words
- highlights areas for improvement
I’ve been advised to read my work backwards — I have yet to try it, but it should help to identify inconsistencies. Let me know if you’re using this method!
6. Think like a reader
- what would keep you engaged?
- where would you lose interest?
Putting ourselves in the shoes of the audience can do wonders.
7. Edit like a pro
- are there sentences that could be more concise?
- which paragraphs seem repetitive?
- can you combine paragraphs or sections for a smoother flow?
- is there any piece of information (anecdote?) that doesn’t support your core message?
Writing short stories doesn’t mean we’re poor writers or have very little to say. It sometimes means we’re accommodating the audience. Think about it: who has the time to read a ten-minute article? We will read one if the writer is already known to us — social proof is everything. But new writers need to build an audience first. What better way to do it if not respecting the limited time of our readers?
There’s immense talent in being concise and providing value, yet maintaining an individual style. Take a look at the Japanese National Anthem — it’s probably the shortest in the world, yet most of its value is read between the lines. Sometimes a piece might be short, but I promise: the intended audience will know.
My scribbles dive into a variety of topics. Yet whether I scribble fantasy or horror, highly opinionated or research-driven pieces, I hope it leaves you with something to ponder: makes you feel better (or worse?..), strikes an inner monologue (hopefully, voiced out in the comments!) or simply gives you something to chew on, inspiring to keep the creative ball rolling.
Thank you for reading!
