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How to write blog posts that developers read (refactoringenglish.com)

603 points by rbanffy · 492 days ago · 154 comments on HN

Article summary

The article provides tips on how to write blog posts that developers will read, including getting to the point quickly, thinking about a wider audience, planning how readers will find the post, using images, and accommodating skimmers. The author shares their own experiences and lessons learned from writing a successful software blog. The post emphasizes the importance of clarity, concision, and relevance in writing for a technical audience. The author also discusses the challenges of getting a blog post noticed and read by a large audience.

Main themes

  • writing for developers
  • blog post structure
  • audience engagement
  • content marketing
  • technical writing
  • online visibility

What commenters say

  • The inverted pyramid structure is a useful approach to writing blog posts, but its name can be misleading and its effectiveness depends on the context.
  • Humor can be an effective tool in writing, but it should be used judiciously and authentically to avoid coming across as forced or insecure.
  • The use of images in blog posts can be beneficial in breaking up text and making the content more engaging, but they should be relevant and not distracting.
  • The inverted pyramid structure may not be suitable for longer-form content or posts with multiple points, as it can become repetitive and formulaic.
  • A good blog post should have a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main point, and the rest of the post should support and elaborate on that point.
  • The effectiveness of a blog post depends on its ability to resonate with its target audience, and writers should consider their audience's needs and interests when crafting their content.
  • The use of jokes and humor in comments can be effective in adding tone and personality to the discussion, but it should be done in a way that is respectful and relevant to the topic at hand.
  • The concept of the inverted pyramid can be applied to longer forms of content, such as books, by using a similar structure for each chapter or section.