When it comes to writing articles, there are two main formats that can be used – a quick format and a full format. The quick format provides a condensed, simplified version of the information while the full format offers a more in-depth, comprehensive approach. Though the quick format may seem more efficient, using a full format for articles offers some key advantages that make it the better choice in many cases.
More Thorough Explanations
A full format allows the writer to go into greater detail when explaining concepts, providing background information, and elaborating on points. With the extra length and word count, writers can ensure readers have all the context and description needed to fully understand the topic at hand. This more thorough approach helps readers better grasp complex ideas, technical processes, and nuanced issues that require more explanation than a truncated quick format can provide. Readers are left with a deeper, richer understanding of the subject matter.
For example, an article about the benefits of exercise could briefly mention in a quick format that exercise improves heart health. But in a full format, the writer could expand on this point by thoroughly explaining how different types of exercise strengthen the cardiovascular system, describing how heart rate and blood pressure are improved, discussing how plaque buildup in arteries is reduced, and providing supporting research. This comprehensive approach better educates the reader.
Multiple Perspectives and Angles
The full format also allows writers to explore a topic from multiple perspectives and angles. While a quick format may only focus on one narrowly defined argument or a few key points, a full format provides writers with the space to delve into the nuances of a topic. Writers can look at issues from multiple sides, bring in diverse viewpoints, weigh the pros and cons of different positions, and provide a holistic 360-degree analysis of the subject. This leads to a well-rounded, balanced take rather than a limited, one-note approach.
For instance, an article about electric vehicle adoption could use a quick format to argue that EVs are the future of transportation. But a full format could offer a broader evaluation by looking at the benefits of EVs, concerns about battery range and infrastructure, perspectives from both EV supporters and critics, analysis of consumer demand and readiness for adoption, and discussion of government incentives and regulations. This multifaceted examination leads to a richer discussion.
Room for Storytelling Elements
The expansive nature of a full format also allows writers to incorporate storytelling elements such as anecdotes, examples, and interviews to a greater degree. These narrative components bring the topic to life for readers in an engaging, memorable way. Quick formats generally focus more heavily on statistics, facts, and data because they lack room for detailed stories. A full format provides space to immerse readers in real-world narratives that illustrate key points and connect them to the subject matter on a more human level.
For a topic like sustainable fashion, a quick format may briefly cite some sales statistics about eco-friendly clothing brands. But a full format could tell the origin story of a successful sustainable fashion entrepreneur or profile a fast fashion consumer who changed their shopping habits after learning about labor abuses, humanizing these issues. Storytelling makes the content more relatable and interesting to read.
Better Indexing and SEO
Articles published online in a full format rather than a quick format also have advantages when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO) and being indexed by search engines like Google. Full formats allow the article to contain more keywords and phrases related to the topic, helping improve the odds it will appear high in relevant search results. The lengthier word count also enables the article to better optimize elements like meta descriptions, image alt text, headers, and more to align with what users are searching for. This makes the article more findable.
Quick formats that are only a few hundred words or less often cannot fit in the full range of keywords and optimizable elements without becoming repetitive or awkwardly shoehorned. The abundant space of a full format gives writers flexibility to incorporate keywords naturally in a way that flows well. Full formats also allow citations and links to external sources which boost credibility and SEO. The fuller content and proper optimization lead to higher search rankings and more web traffic.
Backlink and Engagement Bait
Furthermore, the amount of value, detail, and insight within full format articles makes them more likely to attract backlinks and engagement. When other websites, blogs, and publications find content valuable enough to merit linking to and sharing, it signals strong quality to search engines which gives an SEO boost. Moreover, when readers find an article useful enough to spend significant time reading it and interacting with it, search algorithms pick up on these engagement signals.
But given their brevity and surface-level coverage, quick formats are less likely to attract high engagement and backlinks. Full formats allow knowledgeable writers to create truly definitive guides on topics that readers bookmark and return to while also linking to from their own sites. The rich content acts as “bait” to earn more backlinks and social shares compared to fluffy, forgettable quick pieces. This engagement bait effect increases search rankings and traffic.
Credibility and Trust
The greater breadth, detail, and depth provided by full format articles also lends more credibility and authority on subjects, establishing the writer and publication as trusted experts. When writers take the time and effort to fully cover all aspects of a topic in an authoritative manner, it demonstrates knowledge and helps build brand reputation. Quick formats with their bite-sized blurbs of information can feel derivative or lacking in expertise. But expansive full formats signal true mastery of a subject, which earns reader trust.
For topics requiring serious research like global warming or autism spectrum disorders, full articles convey that writers have dug into academic sources, conducted interviews, analyzed data, etc. This builds credibility on important issues and makes the publication feel like a reliable information source, leading readers to return for insight on other subjects.
Higher Engagement and Revenue Potential
This sense of writer/publication credibility and authority that comes with full formats also generally leads to higher engagement metrics. When readers feel they can rely on the in-depth, expert information provided, they tend to spend more time consuming the content, sharing it with others, interacting via comments, and building a relationship with the brand. These engrossed readers are also more receptive to any advertisements, products, or services promoted alongside or within the content.
Compared to bite-sized quick pieces, full format articles lend themselves better to inserting ads at natural break points within the lengthy text rather than awkwardly shoehorning. And the engaged readership is more willing to deal with necessary ads given the overall caliber of the free content. Hence, the full format content and loyal readership it builds converts to higher revenue potential for publications reliant on online ad models.
Conclusion
In summary, full format articles have clear advantages over quick formats when it comes to providing comprehensive explanations, exploring topics from multiple angles, incorporating storytelling elements, optimizing for search, attracting backlinks and engagement, building source credibility, and converting engaged readers into revenue opportunities. Although writing quality full-length articles requires more time and effort from writers, the end results are well worth it for educating readers, establishing brand authority, and achieving financial sustainability. Hence, digital publications should strategically balance quick bite-sized content for accessibility with in-depth full formats for optimal quality and impact. The fuller the format, the fuller the benefits.
