Mark Dykeman

Started with the idea injection version but, while it gave a few valid bullets, did not explain the reasoning behind the post - which is where the "old school" version comes in. Proves the point you are making perfectly. I think there may be a lot to be said for combining both methods in the same post: the injection as a here's what I'm going to talk about followed by the actual full post. While soundbites are easy to consume we are left with no understanding of them or history behind them. I love to be challenged and stimulated and the in depth discussion serves this purpose perfectly. The bullet points may be great to quote to a friend or colleague but we must have the subtance to back them up if questioned. Great post. - Colin Walker via fftogo

I like Colin's idea of combining the two, either with the injection as an intro or as a takeaway conclusion. - Kevin Bondelli

Exactly Kevin - look at any study material and you either have a "contents of the lesson" section or a summary - why can't we take the time to do this on blogs? - Colin Walker via fftogo

I think I am going to try doing this on some of my next blog posts. - Kevin Bondelli

@Colin - the Idea Injection version is similar to an executive summary for a report; it was somewhat inspired by a style I've seen Rex Hammock use, as well as other bloggers, though they do it less starkly. The blending of the two methods is used by these bloggers, particularly when they realize that potential clients and professionals will be reading. Thanks for reading (and you too, Kevin!) - Mark Dykeman

Some of my posts end up being 1,000 words, but that's usually when many screenshots are featured to break up the blocks of text. Barring that, bullets and bold type, etc. helps a bit so the readers' eyes don't glaze over. - Louis Gray

@Louis - exactly, you're following the unwritten (or written) rules of blog posting in 2008. Nothing wrong with that, in and of itself, except that I'm concerned that we become too accustomed to these breaks and eye relief as we simply absorb info. Maybe I'm biased because I prefer to read stuff on paper instead of on a computer screen. - Mark Dykeman

I think it depends on the topic. Some topics are more appropriate for a short soundbite. Other topics take a little longer to develop and describe. - Rob Diana

@Rob - no question that the material and treatment of the material can help to dictate an appropriate length. At the same time, though, we don't seem to give people permission to take their time to explain something. I admit that I can be pretty impatient at times as a reader, but at the same time I can just move on to the next thing instead of blaming the writer - I can stop reading at any time. - Mark Dykeman

It's actually easier to write in the "old school" style. "Idea injection" is hard to write because you have to figure out the story in a limited way. - Hutch Carpenter

@Hutch, I think the only way that one can do a good job of idea injection writing is to write in the "old school" format first, then build the required summary. Which really comes back to what Colin W. suggested at the beginning of this thread. - Mark Dykeman