This is the second post in a series in which I analyze some of my more popular blog posts, from different blogs, to see why they have been so well received.

Review: In my last blog post, “What Makes a Blog Post Popular,” I analyzed one of my most popular posts on Quora.com, “Here I Come or Here I Go,” which compared two common expressions. I concluded that it was popular for the following reasons:

• Quick and easy to read (especially useful on a Q&A site that tends to focus on relatively simple, narrow topic questions).
• It was a surprising, lively, colourful answer to a potentially dull question about grammar.
• Used examples of common, easily relatable human experiences.
• Use of humour.
• Simple, straightforward English (important on a site that is read by a worldwide audience, mainly of whom speak English as a second or third language).
• Use of anecdotes—so its personal and conversational, rather than technical in tone
• My enjoyment of writing the post comes through in the writing style.

What’s new? Today I am analyzing one of the more popular posts from this NormaJHill.com blog: “Kinds of Flash Fiction.” Again, this is a nonfiction post on a writing topic. Let’s see what we can add to our list of what makes a blog post popular:

• This post is the second in a series about “flash fiction” writing. Readers interested in this topic had already read the introductory post and came back for more information.
• A bright photo at the top catches readers’ eyes.
• As a “list” style blog post, it lists 17 specific kinds of flash fiction, and for each one, provides a useful link to more in-depth information on other sites. There is also a list of links to 17 websites that feature flash fiction—many of which host contests and/or accept submissions from writers of flash fiction.
• This post focuses in on a specific type of writing, which reaches out to a specific niche of readers, and through its basic information plus links to more in-depth information, it is suitable for writers who just want a quick, scannable overview, but also attracts writers who want to delve deeper and research the topic.
• For writers who are interested in creating flash fiction, the links provide plenty of examples—as well as opportunities to be published and/or enter and possibly win contests.

What about you? Have you analyzed your own blog posts to figure out why some posts are popular, while others which may have information which you feel is just as useful and just as well written, haven’t attracted as much attention? What ideas in this post could you use in your blog posts? What ideas would you like to share in the comments (please do!) from popular posts you’ve written?

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