23 Essential Elements of Sharable Blog Posts

June 8, 2009 · Comments

surprise party What makes a blog post something worthy of links? What makes a blog post something that people will send around to their friends? If you’re looking to find some kind of value and impact in your blog as a communication tool, it might be useful to know what makes a post share-able, versus those posts that people read and forget.

Here are my ideas on what might work:



23 Essential Elements of Sharable Blog Posts

  1. It starts with a picture that captures your eye.
  2. No. It starts with a title that makes you pay attention.
  3. The post is useful to others, and not just about you.
  4. It’s easy to read, and not a big clump of text.
  5. It’s written in a human voice, and not corporate-ese.
  6. There’s information there that might require a second visit.
  7. You write in small words where possible. Remember: eschew obfuscation.
  8. You use links out to resources liberally. Share, share, share.

Specific Blog Topic Advice

  1. Posts that gather resources into one place are very often heavily bookmarked.
  2. Controversial posts get lots of links from people refuting your information.
  3. Popular current topic posts often get swept up in searches.
  4. Blog posts with your own original thoughts never get old (versus posting a few observations on others’ stuff).
  5. Writing reviews of products or services sometimes get links, especially if you’re early to the game.
  6. Writing how-to information goes everywhere, gets linked everywhere, is one of the best types of posts, depending on your audience.
  7. Blog posts explaining use cases for products and services are good, too.
  8. Blog topics about applying ideas to specific industries get play in that industry.
  9. Pieces written to reinvent an industry don’t get very many links, but attract comments.
  10. Writing list posts never dies. Wish it weren’t true, but my top posts are lists. Always.

You’re Not Done Yet


  1. Use appropriate plug-ins to share blog posts. I’m using Tweetmeme and ShareThis.
  2. Share only the very best posts on services like Twitter, and pipe your blog feed into sites like Facebook, LinkedIn (if it relates to your profession), and FriendFeed.
  3. Note: sharing other people’s stuff makes them a bit more interested in sharing yours.
  4. The post ends with a question that encourages more thought.
  5. The post is written such that the community might have something to add. Do you?

Parting Shots

To get a jump on possible criticisms, it’s not like getting linked or shared is the most important thing in blogging. Conversations and engagement are the hallmark of a good blog and I’m forever thankful that you come here and interact with me. (Side note: I read every single comment, even if I can’t answer ever single one individually. I am the #1 commenter on my own blog, mind you).

But for those of you who have objectives to move things forward, to get your stories seen, to get your words out to a lot of people, these ideas might help. What do you think?

Update: Looks Like it Worked:

I hit the delicous/popular page with this post:

Photo credit Editor B

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  • Excellent Chris - 100% agree that list posts get most readers/comments. Excellent tips!
  • DV Staff
    This is alot of information that we will incorperate into our blog. Thanks for the info. It is true that you learn something new everyday. Keep the good info comming, we're all ears.

    DV Staff
    http://www.DynamicallyVersed.com
    http://www.myDVspace.com
    http://www.DirectoryofSpeakers.com/blog
  • Thanks Chris

    You're a tough act to live up to but I can only get better and both myself and more importantly my readers will benefit.

    It's strange but one of my first non-topic blog posts still gets the most traffic (on a daily basis) - I just wish I could remember what, how and where I shared it that it keeps coming up.

    Cheers - Jonathan.
  • ron_miller
    These are great ideas and certainly it can't hurt to try these things. As I wrote in a post this morning on my socmedia101.com blog, don't let anyone tell you there is a tried and true way to drive traffic to your blog because if there were, I like to say I would bottle it and sell it.

    That said, your 23 ideas give people a starting point, but one never knows what catches the fancy of the public and what makes people click through or link to you. It's just not an exact science, even those of us who blog regularly wish it were.

    Ron
  • Chris, thinking back to your "early days" initial foray into the world of the blog, do you recall how long it took before your posts began to really start to get noticed with traffic and commentary that was well beyond just your circle of friends? This would be of great interest to people who, like me, are just now delving into this blogosphere. Thanks.
  • Good list, always good advice! Hard to do day after day, espcially when you're a painter, not a writer. Thank for sharing.
  • {very well said, here's to sharing} RT: @chrisbrogan @problogger Reading: 23 Essential Elements of Sharable Blog Posts - http://is.gd/T4R4
  • As you suggest in the topics division of your list. 9 through 18 are most related to the subject of your blog. II've found that essay/opnion posts, and profiles are the ones wihthmost views and links for me. List posts settle in the evergreen area, and as I write reviews often (I wrtie about music) that traffic depends a bit on what an artist is doing. It's interesting to me that half of my top twenty most read posts are almost always older ones.
  • How did I do on this post?

    LINK -> Tonys Video Highlights: Brett Michaels and Neil Patrick Harris.

    I just added a question at the end.

    Thanks!

    Note: The links people add to comments here should be highlighted in another color, maybe blue?
  • Great list Chris. I am currently putting together ideas for a blog and felt that this list really helps as kind of a check list for the content I am writing.

    On a side note: Noticed that a large percentage of the comments are Twitter RTs back to the this post. Is there a way to view comments and filter those out?

    Ben
  • Great article! Indeed these ideas are really helpful.
  • More tips:
    - Use "Top 5" or "Top 10" in your title.
    - Use Google, iPhone, Twitter or Social media in the title

    A few months ago "Recession" was popular, now people are fed up with it.
    Madoff was short lived.
    Thus a positive trend like "Susan Boyle" worked fine as it brought hope.
    The next subject?
    Business: Bootstrapping a company?
    Consumers: Great low cost vacations?
  • Funny but my post about what I'm doing while RE sucks got some good direct emails and tweets. Now I'm looking forward to the time I post the 'controversial' thoughts I have about realtors! Really appreciate this list ... and all you have done for me. The best is yet to come, and I hope 2009 is the year I get to attend one of your speaking events IRL.
  • As someone who's relatively new to the blogging world, I find your tips and insights incredibly valuable. Many thanks--so glad to have discovered you via Twitter.
  • Great post Chris, put it on Twitter, Facbook, Delicious and most important on the bulletin board in front of my computer ;) Thanks alot...
  • If we take it one step back isn't creating a blog post that will get social media /sharing love about the post author and the author’s relationships with people.

    An INCREDIBLE post by an author that is not well known and who isn't out there 'hustlin'" (hat tip Gary V) will see their post get a relatively small number of shares.

    An good post by an author that is VERY well known and is continually out there "hustlin" will see their post spread like wild fire.

    The tips are very useful. I think it's hard to be shared if you don't follow the above, but i think the author has more of an impact than what is in the post? No?

    http://twitter.com/franswaa
  • Carol
    A friend told me to follow you, Chris, and I haven't regretted it since I began. He also "shoulded" on me recently...he told me I should write a blog. With these tips, maybe I'll finally pull the trigger and do it. Thanks. C
  • Aw, so sad you didn't user the term "linky" like in your tweet: http://twitter.com/chrisbrogan/status/2069142903

    I like "linky."

    ;-)
  • After having blogged for so long I rather intuitively knew all of these points. And yet there was something great and helpful about seeing them all written down in one play. Very well played!
  • Scott Boren
    Great points here. I think a blog is not unlike a resume. The title must be interesting so I decide to tkae the time to read it. And then I must find something useful/worthwhile pretty quickly. In todays age of instant information and every minute status updates many of us have become inpatient. And while you cannot post a single blod that EVERYONE will want to read, you will have success if you use these tips.
  • Great post Chris! I do often look at my blog posts and sometimes it confounds me on what posts attract readers and what posts don't. This certainly helps clear things up a little!

    I'm also grateful because it helps validate the things I've been doing right, and discover the things I've been doing wrong!

    Thanks very much for taking the time to put together this list. Great stuff!
  • It's obvious all Chris Brogan cares about is getting linked to and tweeted about, I mean look at all the incredible information he puts in his posts, it's shameless.
  • Just horrible. Why anyone reads this stuff? And comments on it? Sheesh. ;)

    (For the humor impaired... I'm kidding.)
  • Great list. It will be very helpful in fine-tuning my posts.
  • As a social networking blogger focusing on nonprofits and associations, I am always looking for new strategies to help improve blog topics assigned to me. This post is rich with ideas and very comprehensive, yet succinct overall. I especially like: (1) and (4) (because they go together and posts should look as good as they read, but always reinforced by (2), a thought-provoking title). The idea of share, share, share is core to the whole blogging concept, so I too use outbound links liberally (8). I guess people are just naturally attracted to lists (19), and putting one together really helps sharpen your thoughts about a subject. But the two ideas I like most are (7) write with small words (because so many professionals think the opposite and (22), a post that ends with a question will promote further thought (as opposed to a declarative, authoritative statement). Bravo on laying out so many practical ideas for bloggers like me, and keep up the great work, Chris.
  • A blog post with pictures and useful information is definately is a post worth linking to. Like the one you have here!

    Nikki-

    http://sellingphotography101.yolasite.com

    http://1dollarebooks.yolasite.com
  • WOW, CHRIS! AWESOME post. You never fail to amaze me. I couldn't agree more.

    I learn more from you than reading Aristotle. Where do you come up with your posts? You should donate your brain to science after you die. There will never be another like you.

    Have you ever applied to MENSA? I think you would get in.

    I'm typing with one hand I'm so excited about this post.

    Keep em coming, Chris.
  • Thanks Chris!
    I was just having a conversation about this very topic (well not the 23 points) :) a few minutes ago. You have great timing!

    Its great to see this topic from your point of view and to see these elements broken out in list form (those list posts....so popular) :)

    Thanks again,
    Chris
  • Great post, Chris.

    All good points. I love point #7.

    Thanks for taking the time to write this.
  • Great information, Chris. I had a similar question to Steve Gaines. How were you able, in the beginning, to get an audience for your blog? Also, do you have something written about your point of "sharing other people's stuff"? Thanks, I enjoy your "stuff".

    Keep Believing...

    Bille Baty
  • Chris,

    I'm intrigued by your use of the term sharable as opposed to social. I've had a really good discussion with several people in the SocMed community about which term is more appropriate. I argue that the content isn't social, the people who interact with it are. The content is merely sharable (or not). See my posts here: http://tinyurl.com/kvjmpv and http://tinyurl.com/ply75h

    Would love your thoughts on this. Cheers,
  • Excellent information como siempre..
  • Always a fan for list posts: easy to read, and not tiring to digest the ideas and have them circled around. Personally, also a fan for posts with attractive illustrations. It has been a practice for my blog either, to include personalized, self-induced illustrations along with original content. However, to apply all 23 points above and get on front page of digg... there's still a long way to go -- time to get back to the drawing board. ^^

    Best wishes to all.

    @wchingya
    social media/blogging
  • Fully agreed with the "writing in human voice" and how to information, I've several blogs and the "how to" is a crowd puller even when I had not been posting much lately. I have a particular post not sure if you would classify it as controversial or a "Let's test and look for answers" kind of post. This post alone had gotten me 100 over comments and it's still coming as time goes by. http://ministryofgame.blogspot.com/2008/11/play...
  • On top of all the excellent points made above, organization is so important. Not everybody is interested in every word of your post. Use of good, useful, visible headlines is so helpful. Let the person jump to the part that most interests them. Hopefully they'll get involved and read the rest but first let them see that there is something in the post that will improve their lot in life.
  • New Blogger on Horizon. As a writer, I have been advised by authors, PR Directors, & friends to get the words off my laptop & out into the world. Your article on the 23 Essential Elements of Sharable Blog Postings is a practical checklist I can easily apply. Thanks!
  • Glenn Vogelsang
    I can't find the plugin part on wordpress to activate Share it. Help
  • Guest
    Thanks Chris~ per usual you have hit the nail on the head! We'll be bookmarking this so we can refer our clients to it!

    Sara @ iGoMogul
  • This was very helpful. Many of the points match my own thoughts, there were some perspectives I hadn't considered, and I appreciated your viewpoints on participation.

    I'll definitely share this with some of my friends and colleagues.

    ---v
  • Chris, I guess you could say your post was linkbait...which is a compliment, of course.

    Regarding number 14 (and number 12) - a few years ago, in a technical blog that I used to write, I shared a "how to" which was basically a personal observation on a sound problem that I was encountering on my Motorola Q phone. I still get comments on that post 2 1/2 years later.

    Excellent checklist.
  • Tessa Carroll
    I really appreciate the tips! As someone who is tapped to write on a fairly regular basis for my company's blog, sometimes my mind strays from what I SHOULD be writing. I've definately added your tips to my favorites for those days when I've got a case of writer's block.

    Thanks again!

    Tessa Carroll
    VBP OutSourcing
  • I have to say, I have a love-hate relationship with posts like this. The love part comes from my desire to improve my blog. I genuinely want to find ways to make it more reader-friendly for more people.

    The hate part (well, dislike is a more accurate word) emerges because posts like this (how-to posts about blogging) make me worry that blogging is simply the wrong format for my writing style and topics. As Chuck Westbrook said to me once, I'm using a "sit-forward medium" to share a "sit-back writing style." Sigh. It's hard to know where that line is, between being "me" and conforming to blogging standards of success.
  • Remember, everyone goes at this differently. It's NEVER a one-size-fits-all piece of advice.
  • Kristin, many people at the very top of this game break these "rules" with impunity.

    But they've the privilege.

    What these guidelines do is provide those of us working our way up through the ranks some structure while we're finding our voice and our audience.

    Personally, I loathe em.

    But I'm learning to write along these guidelines as best I can, because they are proven to work, and they aren't that difficult to learn.

    Mastery, of course, is a whole 'nother beast.

    Chris, thanks for putting this out there, and for allowing threaded comments. So few people actually interact, but it's nice to be able to.
  • Great Tips. What do you think about video blogs?
  • Megan
    Thank you! Just starting out - haven't even gotten my first post in - but am thankful for all the info out there!
  • Great tips that can be referred to time and time again.

    Asking a question at the end of each blog post does encourage people to share their thoughts, ideas and talk about themselves.

    Although not a part of the list - another very important tip to be followed is reading and responding to comments.

    Thanks for the post.

    @Lvadgal
  • anonymous
    looks kinda akward to have so many twitter messages about this particular post in its own comment list
  • That's a service of tweetmeme. Not sure if I can change it per post.
  • It's the great tips and vary helpful for me, thanks!
  • Great tips, thanks for sharing them!
  • Great article. Thanks...
  • Good article.
  • With credit to you, do you mind terribly if I share it with my company's real estate agents? =)

    Oh - and I'm taking your advice too. My last post was a *blob* of text. heh. With only 1 photo. Sigh. Live and learn! Thanks for sharing what you know.

    Gina Kay
    Follow me on Twitter: @ginakay
  • Guess you must get used to people complimenting your work - there's 50 such comments below.

    Me too of course, but I'd like to add posts like this make me change the way I do things.

    Thank you.

    Steve
  • Thanks is always a nice thing, Steve. It never grows old to me. : )
  • Lori Siegel
    Excellent tips! I will be sharing these with my clients - some of whom are blogging already and others who are curious but a bit shy to start!
  • thanks a lot for the great post I've really enjoyed your topic and will consider it in my blogs too.. Keep it up plz :)
  • tonylogue
    Great info Chris. I'm working to add this to my blog.
  • This is a GREAT post - I am in a specific place in my blogging and I really needed to hear this...I will also pass this along! (Sharing the blog love)
  • Hi Chris, great post and great tips. Tks for sharing.

    You followed very well all your suggestions, and it worked.

    :-)

    Bets wishes, Miguel, from Brazil
  • great post... i would love to share your insights on my blog http://blog.widen.com/blog/premedia-arts and of course link back to you! I am trying to expand from a weekly photoshop tips and tricks type of blog to a daily blog on all things relating to social media marketing and premedia arts! thanks again!
  • Very helpful, thanks. Next stop for me, 40 Ways to Deliver Killer Blog Content
  • abril
    Nice article !...but.. I’m a new blogger and I'm confused u_u , all webpages talk about making money for hosting videos, but not all of them are good and I have a lot of ideas. My brother recommended me to visit www.vismomedia.com, he said I’ts a good webpage for bloggers. What’s your opinion ¿?
  • point 11 . gud strange but true !


    -bluffmaster

    www.gr8bluffmaster.blogspot.com
  • I like the fact that you were able to do most of your advices on this post (Well, no. 13 really doesn't apply here, does it?). Keep up the good work. And thanks for sharing these to us. :)
  • Chris,
    while none of the things you've listed here is rocket-science, it can be challenging (sometimes to the point of frustration) for a "newbie" such as myself to figure it all out. THANK YOU for saving me both time and frustration as I continue cultivating relationships via the web while I work toward sharing my ideas and inspirations with the people who inspire me...I promise to pay it forward :-)
  • Thanks Chris for this post, Damn I still have so much to learn...
  • Thanks for listing these elements. I'm signing up for Tweetmeme and ShareThis. And I do notice on many blogs that the most popular posts are lists. That's a great tip that I'm going to remember for my future posts. I will also be implementing more link sharing into my posts. Great post.
  • I am running an Azerbaijan Business Listings service and I want to increase my traffic by blogging. Now question is since my website is business related should I keep blog within business borders or can I blog about any topic?

    Any advice is appreciated.
  • Wow. Not only did you put together a great post, but you proved your points with the results. Just awesome.
  • joven
    thank you for some ideas that are being posted on your blog, i really appreciate your blog.
  • I agree with sharing - through comments and blog links - as a key part of buidling a blog community. I wanted to point out that linking iwthin you rown blog is helpful, too - not only does it create links to various posts on your blog, it means you can refer to previous points/explanations rather than making a new post overly long and complicated.

    Looking into tweet widgets etc ison my to do list, more so since reading htis post, thanks.
  • jansgephardt
    There is a lot of concentrated information here! This is one of those blog postings you mentioned that readers want to come back to several times! Thanks for some valuable guidance.
  • I am sure many bloggers will find these helpful.No wonder you got 621 retweets !
    Thanks
    http://computer-edu.blogspot.com
    http://Twitter.com/GreenBreez
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