How to read a blog post in 13 steps
Have you had the experience of “reading” 10 or 20 blog posts in a row and upon finishing the last one wondering to yourself in total bafflement, what did I just read?
This guide is primarily for self-management, management and leadership blogs when you are looking for content to assist you in your personal or professional development.
Follow these 13 steps to get the most out of your blog reading time:
- Focus on the title
- Scan the article
- Determine if this post is of interest or value to you - if not, carry on elsewhere.
- Analyze who wrote the post. What are their qualifications for this topic?
- Ask yourself 1 or 2 questions about the post before reading the actual post. This will transform you from a passive consumer of information into an active reader.
- Read the actual post.
- Reflect on the questions you asked yourself before you read the post. Were your questions answered?
- Take mental or written notes about the post.
- Summarize the post in your own words
- Clip or Tag the blog to save it or be social with it. If it is of further value save the blog post or share it. For example clip it in Bloglines, Digg it or del.isio.us it.
- Add value to the post: Go the extra mile and post a comment or question to the writer.
- Act: Do something based on the material, take action.
- Subscribe: If this blog post is interesting and you don’t subscribe to the blog subscribe to it now so you can easily keep following this blog.
Many times you will just scan or scroll through multiple blog posts but when the material is interesting or useful this method will help you maximize your personal benefit from the blog.
You might find that you won’t read as many blog posts overall but the blog posts you read will be more meaningful and enriching. Less volume, more filling!
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POSTED IN: management, principles
2 opinions for How to read a blog post in 13 steps
Eric Wordelman
Aug 28, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Great post. I love speed reading and doing things as efficiently as possible as well.
University Blog
Sep 5, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Note 9/5/07…