Do you avoid opinion posts on your blog because you fear negative comments, hateful remarks, or lost readers? Here are 7 simple steps to help you share your opinions in a way that encourages thoughtful discussion and boosts readership:
1. Plan Your Approach
If you want your opinion to be taken seriously, say it in a way that does not require the rest of the world to be wrong. Take some time to outline your opinion and clearly define what you’d like your post to accomplish. If your topic is extremely controversial, write a series of posts based on the topic’s underlying arguments. For example, avoid a single post on gay marriage and instead write a series about the evolution of human rights, marriage, and civil liberties over time.
2. Warm Things Up
A great title that boldly alludes to the point of your post will make easy work of drawing in readers. If you write a post on gay marriage, “Proposition Nine: Putting Things Where They Don’t Belong” will warm things up nicely without revealing your position. A smart and interesting title lets readers know you really put some thought into the topic. If you can, optimize your title for sharing on Twitter by keeping it short (less than 90 characters).
3. Insert Carefully
Resist the temptation to make snarky remarks and ironic asides in your opinion posts. (Quickie Rule: If you put it in parentheses and laughed, it’s probably not something you want to include in your post.) Many readers avoid commenting on snarky posts because they’re worried about being attacked by the author. Approach your topic with thoughtful grace and your readers will gladly comment in the understanding that you’ll respond to their thoughts with similar care.
4. Move With Rhythm
Use the same writing voice and format you use with other posts on your blog. This lets your regular readers know you haven’t gone crazy while giving new readers a taste of what to expect from you in the future. Your readers have come to expect consistent quality from you. Give it to them.
5. Avoid Names
When writing an opinion post, you’ll invariably think of people you disagree with. No matter how caught up you get in the heady passion of your post, do not use names. Don’t mention, link, or even allude to them. Why? Using names in an opinion post makes you look like just another flame-baiter. A great opinion post doesn’t need flames to start a conversation. Don’t name names. Don’t link to the blogs by those names. Try not to even use the word “name” in your post. (okay, that might be a bit extreme.)
6. Finish At The Right Moment
Timing has a lot to do with the success of opinion posts. Before you post an opinion, ask yourself,
- Are people currently discussing this topic? - A well-written post stating your opinion on Hittite marriage practices might be interesting to read but it won’t attract a lot of readers. Why? Because most of us haven’t thought about the Hittites recently! In fact, this might be the first time I’ve ever thought about them.
- Is my post the right size? - In terms of opinion posts, short and thick (thoughtful, dense) is best. As soon as you’ve reached the final point on your outline, wrap things up promptly. (Quickie Rule: If it takes more than three minutes to read your post, many readers will move on instead of leaving a comment)
7. Enjoy Some “Pillow Talk”
At the end of your post, invite readers to respond by leaving a comment or sharing the post with some friends.When they respond, take note and act! Reply to comments, acknowledge as many social media remarks as possible and generally show gratefulness for any attention given to your post.
Your readers will remember the positive interaction and be more likely to respond to your next post. (Quickie Rule: If you don’t have a comments policy on your blog, include a note at the end of your post stating what sort of behavior you’ll tolerate in the comments)
Sharing your opinion on a controversial topic presents a great opportunity for readers to learn more about you and where you stand on important issues. If you take the time to write a thoughtful post, most readers will appreciate it. The ones who don’t are usually just stopping by on their way to the next troll party.
Do you have any suggestions or tricks for handling controversy? I’m interested to know what you think. Thanks!
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Totally disagree! you suck and I’m never going to read your blog again!
Haha, kidding ofcourse. I’ll keep all of these in mind when writing (any of) my next posts.
I think post length is super important, and if it does need to be long, try using images or formatting to keep the reader interested.
Hey,
Well then, don’t! See if I care! =)
Yes! At times when I’ve found that a post lent itself substantial length, using photos and headings to kinda separate the post into sections definitely made for an easy read. That said, I’ve found that many of the posts that started out feeling like they *needed* to be long simply needed some severe editing to make them palatable.
Thanks B!
Nice post!
2 points:
1. React quickly to comments and interact with blog readers: Brilliant! I agree. This is something you do extremely well. As well as any blogger I’ve seen.
2. No names? Disagree. The easiest way to let somebody off the hook for something they’ve done that’s reprehensible is to write a generic post with no names. I can see your point about trying to preserve your own credibility as the writer. But there are times when your subject must be held accountable. The only way to do this is by NAMING NAMES.
Hi Leo,
I agree with you that there is a point where one must use a name…but I don’t think its very often. Whenever a name is used, the majority of readers take it as something personal between bloggers and the rest of the post loses some credibility.
If you really must use a name, I think the best way would be to write the post and, as part of your conclusion, link to what you’re concerned about and ask your readers what their take is. Straight up. Without any leading remarks.
For example,
Let’s say, for illustrative purposes, that I see that you’ve been consistently posting content from another blog I read without giving any credit. (Everybody, I’ve not seen Leo do this. It’s just an example)
With the format I’m suggesting, I’d write a post about the importance of disclosure and original creative content. If, after contacting you, I still believe you’re jacking a blogger’s content, I’d follow up at the end with a link to one of your posts and the blog it originated from. I ask my readers if I’m jumping to conclusions in thinking your behavior might fit into a category listed in my post.
That way, I’m bringing up what I believe to be your behavior but giving us both an out. If it turns out there was a misunderstanding on my part, I can update to that effect and the post still holds weight…because it wasn’t about YOU. I’d simply mentioned you at the end.
With that format, I keep my honor, you get called out, everybody gets to discuss, the post stands true no matter what, and we all get to continue on our journeys toward whatever it is we blog for.
Does that sound like a workable plan?
Panache, Seth. It depends how you use the company or individual name and whether the piece offends.
I’ve written many blog posts explaining why specific names are doing things wrong, offering advice along the way; and nine times out of ten, the name thanks me and changes their way.
That’s a result of your approach. Write a great post and say “this person would do well to consider changing this practice” and you’ve done everybody a service. You’re an intense dude but I think most readers understand that you chase ideas, not people. That makes a big difference in how a post is received.
You sir, per usual, are an exception to one of many rules. =)
btw, should somebody start a “finishing school” for bloggers hoping to learn the finer points of building rapport and fostering healthy discussions? The last thing we need is another ebook.
All very good points. Definitely don’t sound one- sided. It’s okay to be one-sided; but a good argument shows both sides and lets the readers decide. By the way- your title for some reason, to me, reeks of medical innuendo. Maybe it was all that medical work earlier… did you do that intentionally? *suspiciously peers at you* Great post though, lol
WHAT sort of “medical work” were you doing earlier today???
on second thought. I probably don’t have stomach to know.
(I still kinda want to know)
I’m 100% with you on letting readers decide. Glad you liked it!
Great, now you’re picking on the Hittites! Tweeted you something funny.
Just saw that.
Since you somehow have the time to look up things about Hittite sexuality (wasn’t their very existence debated for awhile?) here’s the link for everybody else: http://bit.ly/68MQ9
Thanks D!
haha! My ‘medical work’ consisted entirely of procrastinating dictations that I should do so I wont have so much class work tomorrow, doing homework on chapters 6 and 8 (which is my version of studying) and doing a powerpoint on the endocrine system(endocrine being the system that deals with glands and hormones.); where in 2- 3 days I will be presenting said powerpoint to a class of medical assisting students, and medical administrative students. I’m one of the medical administration students. Incredibly boring, and stomach friendly.
Thanks for not assuming that I knew what the endocrine system is.
But I do!
Anatomy&Physiology was a favorite topic back in the day. Now I spend less time on the books and more doing “field research” =)
I hope your presentation goes swimmingly. Good luck!
Now I think I’m scared to know who’s receiving field work? I am a master at over explanation. Thanks! It’s more a matter of condensing down the information.
That sounds like a workable plan in MOST CASES.
As long as you reserve yourself the right to name a name when it really matters, when it’s absolutely essential.
As a reader, I would honestly prefer a more direct approach. But I can tell you have put considerable thought into your position. And what you’re saying does make sense.
I think the topic of the blog would basically determine whether you ever really need to use names or not. If it’s a more journalistic blog, I think you would have to name names a whole lot more often.
A lot of journalistic blogs exist. I wonder how well they have thought through their policies on this? Do you have any sense of that?
Yes, topic would have everything to do with it.
And I completely reserve the right. I also reserve the right to post while intoxicated, riding a horse, driving a tank, or even while underwater. (the last one would be slick)
I would hope that a journalistic blog would do a thorough job researching the situation before pounding away at somebody in particular.
That said, most of the Journ/bloggers I know lean toward the blogger side (using the idea that the blogger is the lesser-tamed of the two) and have flamed a few people.
Getting famous on the back of a post that makes another infamous is a very old tactic. As the economy slides (as brought up by @ed earlier today) more people will resort to wild tactics in their effort to find success.
I’m going to ask on Twitter and see what sort of answers I can get about the Journ bloggers. Thanks Leo!
Don’t forget the age-old one: “Get out fast!”
Though I think you may have covered that with the “Finish At The Right Moment” angle. Maybe I’m just a crap and selfish lover. BLOGGER. I mean blogger!
Sterling stuff as usual, sir. Do you ever write bad?
Ahh, “Wham, bam, thank-you, Reader?”
That might work…seems a bit harsh though. I just think some bloggers tend to go on too long and miss out on a lot of discussions. I’m guilty of it myself.
Trying, sir. Trying!
danny, I think it’s impossible for seth to write bad. I really dont think he can do it.
Um, I think my mom would classify the entire idea and execution of this post as “bad writing.” =)
Not the dealing with controversy part…but the way I went about discussing it, for sure.
If you had any idea what my posts look like before I go back over them to cut out the rubbish, you’d laugh. It’s pretty bad. I cut out as much junk as I can, count to 3, hit publish, and see what happens.
I really, really appreciate your kind words. I’m grateful. =)
Gotta love an educational post that uses what it instructs. The proof of what you advocate is in the post itself.
Well done.
But… On the not-naming-of-names, I’m suspecting you included this for good reason, but not everyone’s buying… is there an experience that led you to this conclusion… Seth Simonds?
-jef
Thanks, Jef!
I told another blogger over the weekend, as he mulled a blatant attack post with his name all over it, “Haters are just fans with frowns. Some people show love in strange ways.”
I don’t mind people throwing rocks at me so long as they’ve taken the time to determine if they’re throwing a rock through their own window for a chance at breaking one of mine.
If I’ve done something wrong and somebody posts about it, I hope it’s not the first I’ve heard about the issue. Not because I want to sneakily do damage control on my name but because, if I’m doing something wrong, I want to know about it! I stand to benefit greatly from others letting me know when I’m screwing up. Greatly. I’ll consider all points brought up, fix the errors pointed out to me, and hopefully have the grace to not dwell on the things I don’t find useful.
I’ve found, so far, that blogging doesn’t just take thick skin. It takes grace. Ignoring people is easy. Accepting them is a whole other story. It’s a journey and it keeps getting more interesting every day.
Thanks!
Seth, this is one of the more unconventional “how to write a good blog post” articles and I REALLY LIKE IT. I have yet to write an opinion piece and when I do I will definitely refer to this article. Thanks, as always, for the wonderful advice.
Since when did you keep your opinion out of posts on your blog? =P
I pretty much wrote the entire post in parentheses but realized that violated one of my suggestions…so I stopped laughing, deleted the parentheses, and posted it! Glad you like. =)
Being scared of having an opinion is being scared to be a person. The thing that is awesome about humanity is the fact that we all have our own dislikes, likes, opinions, hates, loves, etc. that unite us with others and at the same time provoke deep thinking with others.
Playing it safe will get you nowhere (except exactly where you are right now).
I think you have some good steps here. I’d add a step before number 1: don’t be afraid. Show some confidence. If you have something to support your opinion, then get out there and open discussion.
Whoa! A comment longer than any of your posts? I’m honored, sir! =)
I agree with your added foreplay suggestion. Confidence to get things started is a must!
Seth,
“Move with rhythm” is my major takeaway from this post, but it’s all, well, potent. Virile?
I have a reputation for not taking things very seriously. Levity is my brand, you might say. But at times Jen, my alter ego, comes to write at my site and plead the case for something bigger than my usual shenanigans. The change of tone feels disorienting for me. And I’m sure for my readers, too. This was helpful. (Serious Jen speaking.)
At any rate, I’m sure I’ll be back for more tips. On writing, I mean.
Danny Brown,
If you’re in the room (squinting and losing poise by the moment from standing on tip toes and craning neck to see if you are), thank you for your eloquent comment re: “Get out fast.” You’ve saved me months of needless pining away now that I know the truth about your, um, technique. (I kid. Actually working on a faster escape route myself, as is evidenced by the fact that my comment is three times the length of Seth’s post. Geesh.)
It’s been fun,
Ive
Well-played!
I think it’s definitely important to let the subject, not the format, be the shocking bit when you change things up.
Having a sense of rhythm also makes it easier to process things when you’re writing about something that really fires you up. (I’m sure you never get fired up though)
I’m glad to be of any help. Happy to meet you!
Re: Danny. Yep, he’s a champ. Watch and learn.
Love and SO HELPFUL.
wham
bam
thank
you
seth.
Youre always so concise —I need to work on that.
blatherblather,
carla
That was pretty concise, not gonna lie.
You break it down on Fridays though w/ your linky posts, yeah? Those always seem short.
blather! I need more of that.
I’ve been thinking…
(that happens)
As a newbie blogger myself,
isn’t every blog qualifiable as
an opinion post?
Then again, I’m not one to believe
everything I read…but I’m open to
hearing an opnion.
I don’t think so, no, although it entirely depends on what sort of blog you have.
Movie reviews? Yes.
Home Improvement? Probably not as much.
Some people go crazy with the op/ed posts and that makes sense for them.
I like to read a mix.
ok, so you say I should be responding to most comments left on my blog. Should I respond in the form of a comment or respond to them personally by email?
I feel so rude, for 3 years of blogging I have only responded when someone asked a question or I felt something needed a little more explanation.
Oh well, I will start now.
http://cececantsleep.typepad.com
ok, so you say I should be responding to most comments left on my blog. Should I respond in the form of a comment or respond to them personally by email?
I feel so rude, for 3 years of blogging I have only responded when someone asked a question or I felt something needed a little more explanation.
Oh well, I will start now.
http://cececantsleep.typepad.com
Email is probably a bit too much. If somebody seems really angry or vindictive, email can be a good place to hold the conversation though. The bonus of responding to comments with a comment is it allows other readers to see any points clarified and note that you're actively responding to readers who reach out to you. This typically results in more comments…which might not be a good thing if increased discussions around your content are not something you'd prefer.
I think you've got a great thing going already by responding to the questions and offering explanation. I'd suggest adding a few replies to the people who have taken the time just to “hang out” in your comments by rambling on a bit. They might not make a big point or ask any questions, but they've invested time into your blog and it's nice to acknowledge them. It's nice to be acknowledged.
That said, the “OMG I luv ur blog. Great POST!!!” comments typically go unanswered by me. I just don't see a use for it unless I'm feeling particularly fond of my caps-lock key that day. =)
Hope this helps.
Email is probably a bit too much. If somebody seems really angry or vindictive, email can be a good place to hold the conversation though. The bonus of responding to comments with a comment is it allows other readers to see any points clarified and note that you're actively responding to readers who reach out to you. This typically results in more comments…which might not be a good thing if increased discussions around your content are not something you'd prefer.
I think you've got a great thing going already by responding to the questions and offering explanation. I'd suggest adding a few replies to the people who have taken the time just to “hang out” in your comments by rambling on a bit. They might not make a big point or ask any questions, but they've invested time into your blog and it's nice to acknowledge them. It's nice to be acknowledged.
That said, the “OMG I luv ur blog. Great POST!!!” comments typically go unanswered by me. I just don't see a use for it unless I'm feeling particularly fond of my caps-lock key that day. =)
Hope this helps.