Format it or Forget it [2 minute read]
Getting noticed is hard. Putting your thoughts into words is hard. Don't let poor formatting cost you readers and engagement. Good posts are like good gifts. They entice you, they are thoughtful in packaging and delivery .
Here's some tips and tools I use. Your mileage may vary, feel free to add experiences or ideas in the comments!
Use Graphs
Graphs will instantly give your post an air of credibility, bonus points if they're actually related to your topic.
Use Headers
Correct use of headers will cause your reader to be attracted to what's below it. Headers should give a general feel of what is to come, and somebody skimming your article should be enticed by your headers.Use Bold and Italic
Bolded text directs your reader's attention to important points of your post. It can help with the creating of an overall foundation for your arguments or ideas to rest on. Italic text signifies the usage of quotes, citations or technical terms.Use Short Paragraphs
The art of blogging lies in keeping things short, simple and to the point without giving up on quality or depth. Brevity will keep your reader focused and entertained. It'll also be easier on your keyboard and sanity.Use Images. Wisely.
Humans are very visually oriented. The choice of a thumbnail can already decide how many clicks your article will get, no matter the catchy clickbait title or great content inside. Images should be related to your content in the same way your title would be. I prefer centering images, but this is a stylistic choice.
Use an External Editor
Using an external editor will save you valuable time editing your post once it's live on the blockchain. It's also a backup in case your pc crashes or Steemit eats your post. I like using http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/dingus for my markdown editing and previews. It's easy to import your unformatted notepad/word document into a similar tool.If Possible, get a Second Opinion
It's hard to be objective about your own work after staring it down for hours on end. If you can't get a second opinion, close down your work for an hour or so to clear your mind. Reread it and edit anything you no longer like.Learnt anything new today? Going to implement any of it in your own blogging and posting strategies? I would love to hear about it in the comments section BELOW!
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I upvote U
How do I make it so the first line of text is not readable without clicking on the topic? Also, what about when posting pictures and the preview is less than ideal, any way to fix that?
The preview is based off of the first picture you post. I wouldn't know the answer to your first question, but i would suggest against suchs methods.
Thanks for the simple yet useful tips. You seem to have a decent handle on writing good posts. I wonder if you can answer a question I have. If I have several images in my post, do you know of a way that I can choose which image gets displayed as the main image?
The first image of the article seems to be chosen as the thumbnail! It's not ideal, but try to format your post in such a way that the first image is also the headline you'd like to use.
I spent a good part of the day writing and You're absolutely correct! I posted, seen my flaws and re-edit. 9 minutes later its down down and lost forever. At least I have a daily journal and lots of content to read on here. It would have helped if I did read your post before I posted.
Practice makes perfect! so long as you learn from your mistakes, you'll get increasingly better at writing and formatting things, i'm sure.