Keeping it Inclusive — How to Structure Your Blog Posts for Accessibility

Posted on by Waypoint Writing

Blogging can take countless hours of hard work, editing, and research dedicated to each and every post. For optimal exposure and inclusion, you need to consider how best to structure your blog posts for accessibility.

You put in the effort and now want everyone who comes across your blog to be able to access the information. Check out these extra steps you should take to ensure that your audience is able to engage with your blog content.

Accessibility Goals to Strive For

Reading a blog post requires screen time and an important demographic to consider when it comes to accessibility are people with a visual impairment. Understandably, if your blog is not accessible to someone with a visual impairment, they will immediately click away from your website.

Researching ways to build a better blog led us to these 6 helpful ways to ensure accessibility for all.

Keep the Font Clear and the Colors Contrasting 

Some fonts are easier to read than others. One characteristic that makes a text easier to read is whether the font is sans-serif, meaning without serifs, which are little extended strokes off the main letter. Sans-serif fonts include Arial, Georgia, Merriweather, and Lato. 

Utilize the Headings Feature

A header is a great way for screen-reader users to navigate a web page. Breaking up the content, especially in longer blogs and articles, is key.  

Alt Text

What is an alt text?

This is the hidden description of a photo on your blog post. The idea behind an alt text is that the screen-reader user can still understand what is in the photo, which adds that much more to the blog experience. 

Labels, Labels, and More Labels!

Strive to have all of your buttons and links feature a clear description of where it will take your visitor. This is helpful when it comes to navigating your page, as well as any external or internal links published on it. Taking the time to include labels like these assists everyone and creates trust. 

Hashtag Fix

Capitalizing the first letter of a hashtag is a big help to the screen-reader. This is because it makes it that much easier to distinguish and then pronounce correctly. From a visual perspective, capitalization makes reading hashtags easier for everyone.

Exhibit A: #accessbility #disabilityawareness #instaaccessibility #instawebdesign

versus

Exhibit B: #Accessibility #DisabilityAwareness #InstaAccessibility #InstaWebDesign

Obviously, Exhibit B is the winner.

Multiple Font Options

Perhaps your easiest font to read is someone else’s hardest. To solve this problem, allow your content to be read in multiple font options. Another thing to be mindful of is that on some social apps, photos are not supported by the alt text feature. For this reason, it’s a good idea to share your information in another format. 

Embrace accessibility in your content creation by following these easy blogging tips to reach a wider and more appreciative audience. Contact our team for assistance with this or any other blogging need for your business.

Is There an Optimal Length for a Blog Post?

Posted on by Waypoint Writing

In our last blog post, we explored the ideal length of a web page. What about a blog post? Is there an optimal word count you should shoot for when writing a new post?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to content length. The best advice we can offer will be unique to your company and goals.

Of course, by looking at the general purpose of a blog and what a good post can do for your business, we can offer some tips that apply to most everyone, regardless of industry or company size.

Continue reading “Is There an Optimal Length for a Blog Post?” →

Blog Through the Blues and Boredom of Social Distancing

Posted on by Waypoint Writing1 Comment on Blog Through the Blues and Boredom of Social Distancing
Behind the scenes shot of Amanda, owner of Waypoint Writing, keeping up with blogging and baby.

Social distancing is critical now more than ever in order to “flatten the curve” and attempt to reduce the number of coronavirus cases so that our healthcare system can accommodate those in need.

The reality that this system is already stretched thin is worrisome and the endless stream of news reports and updates is exacting a psychological toll on even the most steady and sane among us. 

Compounding this situation is the fact that staying home and away from others is the order of the day. And while this might have sounded good for the first day or so, even the most introverted are craving some actual connection and missing friends and family. 

So, if you’re stuck at home — whether working remotely or waiting for the green light to get back to your storefront, restaurant or business of any size or scope — there is one thing you can do to keep connected and create content in support of your brand: blog. 

Continue reading “Blog Through the Blues and Boredom of Social Distancing” →
business owner blogging on laptop with notes and cup of coffee

3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog

Posted on by Waypoint Writing1 Comment on 3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog

It’s true. Everyone seems to have a blog these days. But why? Blogs take so much time and effort. You have to brainstorm for the right topics, understand the best blogging practices, and then actually write compelling original content. With all the other tasks on your plate as a business owner, why bother with a blog?

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4 Hints to Help Establish Your Brand’s Blogging Schedule

Posted on by Waypoint Writing1 Comment on 4 Hints to Help Establish Your Brand’s Blogging Schedule

Maintaining your brand’s blogging schedule shouldn’t feel as challenging as it often does. But when you run a business and you have a million things to manage on behalf of your clients’ satisfaction, keeping up with your own blogging schedule is often the first thing to fall off your plate. Sometimes, we even push our own posting plans off the plate ourselves in order to accommodate other priorities. Clients come first, but it’s important to find a way to manage your time against their needs in order to keep up with the blogging schedule that supports your brand.

Here are four hints that should help you create a blogging schedule that’s right for your business. How will you know it’s right? You’ll post consistently without feeling like it’s a push to do so…

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