When creating content for your SaaS blog, the question of long-form versus short-form content often comes up. Both options have pros and cons, and deciding which is the best choice for your SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) blog can be challenging.

On one hand, long-form content provides in-depth information and can establish your authority in your industry. On the other hand, short-form content is more easily digestible and can capture the attention of readers with shorter attention spans.

But which option is right for you? This article dives into everything you need to know to decide between long-form and short-form content for your SaaS blog.

What Is Short-Form Content?

Short-form content is brief, punchy, and direct requiring only a few minutes (or even seconds) to absorb. It is typically less than 1,200 words and can be in the form of short blog posts, social media content, emails, press releases, slideshows, chatbot scripts, infographics, and videos.

Short-form content is easier to consume and can be great for driving traffic to your website, but it’s often less effective at establishing your authority in your industry. It is the ideal method for providing readers with the fundamental knowledge they seek or for responding to their most frequent inquiries.

What Is Long-Form Content?

Long-form content is typically longer than 1,200 words, and this includes e-books, blog posts, tutorials, and white papers. It enables you to go into far greater detail on a subject than you can in short-form material.

Long-form content is great for establishing your authority in an industry, as it allows you to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of a topic. It’s also great for SEO, as search engines tend to favor longer, comprehensive content that provides value to readers.

Pros of short-form content

• It is easy to ingest: Short-form content is quick and easy to consume, making it ideal for social media, where users are looking for quick updates and easy-to-digest content. Short-form content is also great for capturing the attention of readers with shorter attention spans.
• It is designed for more rapid conversions: Short, snappy texts may be read more quickly. As you guide visitors through, they’ll get to your CTAs more quickly. Visitors who are looking for an immediate fix or a grab-and-go response can convert rapidly.
• Requires fewer resources: Short-form content requires less time and resources to produce. For instance, writing a 500-word blog post takes less time and cost than a 2,000-word post. This makes short-form content a great option for businesses that don’t have a lot of resources to dedicate to content creation.
• The demand is rising: Short-form videos are a particularly popular genre of short-form content (typically under 2 minutes and 30 seconds). A faster media cycle, widespread smartphone use, short attention spans, younger generations online, and platforms like Snapchat and Instagram stories are influences that make shorter content preferable.

According to Wowzyl, video sharing is the most common method of content sharing.

Source: Wowzyl

Cons of short-form content

• Insufficient in-depth coverage of topics: Short-form content is often less comprehensive and provides less value to readers than long-form content. It can make it more difficult to establish yourself as an expert in your field.
• Less SEO opportunity: Word count will invariably come up whenever you discuss search engine optimization (SEO), which is the practice of enhancing your content so that it shows up on search engine results pages (SERPs) and increases organic traffic.

Lengthy material often performs better for SEO. The longer the material, the more opportunities to link to related content and obtain backlinks from other websites. Short-form content is often less comprehensive and provides less value to readers, making it less likely that other websites will link back to it.

Pros of long-form content

• Boosts the ranking of your website: Long-form content is a powerhouse from the perspective of SEO. Google aims to respond with what it deems to be the highest-quality answer when consumers type in their search queries.

High-quality content creation is essential if you want to outperform your rivals. To rank #1 for the same phrase, it must provide more value than any other search results, which frequently entails being lengthier.

When a piece of content is lengthier, Google can infer (although not always the case) that it provides a user with a more thorough response, which implies that the piece is better. The word count allows for enough keyword utilization related to your product without leaving room for buffering.

• Helps you build E.E.A.T: Long-form content allows you to establish your authority in your industry. By providing in-depth information on a particular topic, you can demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your readers.
• More website visitors, shares, and backlinks: Long-form articles increase your chances of getting links to your resource in other people’s writing, as well as more social media shares and earning backlinks, all of which can increase traffic.

Cons of long-form content

• There is a lengthy production procedure: Time-consuming research and fact-checking are required, and it is difficult to predict whether the work will be worthwhile. The content writing process may not help you achieve your initial aims. 

One of the biggest drawbacks of long-form articles is they can be time-consuming and expensive to produce. Writing a 2000-word article takes more time and money than a 500-word post.

• It may be more difficult to read and understand long-form articles than short-form articles, which can lead to a higher bounce rate and lower engagement.
• Long-form content is also not ideal for all types of content. For example, if you’re creating content for social media, long-form content is not the best choice. Social media users have short attention spans and are looking for quick-to-consume content.

How to Determine Which Option Is Right for Your SaaS Blog

When deciding between long-form and short-form content, it’s important to consider your goals and your audience. Long-form articles are likely the best choice if your goal is to establish your authority in your industry and provide in-depth information on a particular topic. If your goal is to capture the attention of readers with shorter attention spans and compel them to make decisions, short-form articles are likely the best choice.

It’s also important to consider your audience. If your audience is made up of industry professionals who are looking for in-depth information on a particular topic, long-form content is likely the best choice. If your audience is made up of casual readers who are looking for quick and easy-to-digest content, short-form content may be better.

Ultimately, the best approach is to experiment with both long-form and short-form content and see what works best for your audience and your goals.

Related Post: Top 10 B2B Companies Doing Content Marketing Right

Examples of Successful SaaS Blogs Using Long-Form and Short-Form Content

Many successful SaaS blogs use both long-form and short-form content to engage their audiences. Here are a few examples:

1. HubSpot

Source: Hubspot.com

HubSpot’s blog is known for its in-depth, long-form content. They cover a wide range of topics related to marketing, sales, and customer service, and their posts often exceed 2,000 words.

2. Airbnb – 2012 Annual Report

Airbnb, in this 2012 report, chose to highlight the company’s outstanding development by creating an interactive annual report that demonstrates how even the most uninteresting business records can be turned into interesting and captivating long-form content.

The annual report from Airbnb doesn’t appear to be long-form content at first glance. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover a wealth of fascinating information regarding the company’s growth.

Source: Airbnb.com

3. FinidiWrites

FinidiWrites blog is a mix of long-form and short-form content. Finidi provides in-depth guides on SEO and link building as well as quick tips and insights on industry trends for tech and IT companies and marketers.

What to Consider When Choosing Between Long-Form and Short-Form Content

Here are some things to consider when deciding between long-form and short-form content for your SaaS blog:

1. Your audience

Consider your target audience and their preferences. Are they looking for in-depth, detailed content, or are they more interested in quick, easily digestible pieces of information? If you’re targeting busy executives or tech-savvy professionals, they may prefer shorter, more concise content. On the other hand, if your target audience is made up of industry experts or technical users, they may appreciate the depth and detail provided by longer content.

2. Your goals

Consider what you’re trying to achieve with your content. Are you trying to establish thought leadership in your industry, generate leads, or drive traffic to your website? If your goal is to establish thought leadership, you should use longer, more detailed content. If your goal is to generate leads, try shorter, more targeted pieces of content.

3. Your resources

Consider the resources you have available to create content. Long-form content requires more time, effort, and resources to research, write, and edit. If you have a small team or limited resources, short-form content may be a more practical option.

4. Your niche

Consider the type of SaaS product or service you offer and the industry you operate in. Some niches may lend themselves better to long-form content, while others may be more suited to shorter, concise pieces. 

For example, a blog focused on project management software may benefit from longer, more in-depth articles. On the other hand, a blog focused on social media marketing may do better with shorter, visually appealing content.

Ultimately, the best choice for your SaaS blog will depend on a variety of factors. That said, it’s essential to experiment with different content types to see what works best for your business. Try a mix of long-form and short-form content, which can be a way to cater to different preferences and needs.

Related Post: How to Build a Successful Content Marketing Strategy for B2B Companies

Tips for creating effective long-form content

When creating long-form content, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Start with a clear outline: A clear outline will help you stay focused and ensure that your content is well-organized and easy to follow.
• Break up your content: Long-form content can be overwhelming to readers, so it’s important to break it up into smaller sections and use headers and subheaders to make it easier to navigate.
• Use visuals: Visuals can help break up your content and make it more engaging. Consider using images, infographics, or videos to illustrate your points.
• Provide value: Long-form content should provide value to readers. Make sure you’re providing in-depth information on a particular topic and answering any questions your readers might have.
• Edit, edit, edit: Long-form content can be time-consuming to produce, so it’s important to take the time to edit and revise your content to ensure that it’s well-written and error-free.

Tips for creating effective short-form content

When creating short-form content, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Keep it concise: Short-form content should be quick and to the point. Keep your sentences and paragraphs short and focus on one main point.
• Use visuals: As with long-form content, visuals can help make your content more engaging and easier to consume. Consider using images, infographics, or videos to illustrate your points.
• Use a conversational tone: Short-form content should be easy to read and understand. Use a conversational tone and avoid using jargon or technical terms.
• Provide value: Even though short-form content is quick and easy to consume, it should still provide value to readers. Make sure you’re providing valuable information or insights in each piece of content.
• Edit, edit, edit: As with long-form content, it’s important to take the time to edit and revise your short-form content to ensure that it’s well-written and error-free

Conclusion

Deciding between long-form and short-form content can be challenging, but it’s important to consider your goals and your audience when making your decision. 

Ultimately, the best approach is to experiment with both and see what works best for your audience and your goals.

The good news is that you don’t have to create content all by yourself. Working together with a skilled SaaS content strategist will provide you with access to the knowledge you require and enable you to develop the appropriate kind of content.

FinidiWrites is a reliable marketing partner for high-quality long-form or short-form content. Contact me today to hit the ground running with an effective content marketing strategy for your business!