If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a blog post and an article, here's a breakdown, plus why combining both can help you engage readers while establishing expertise.
In this article:
Let’s talk about something that often gets mixed up in the world of health and wellness content – blog posts and articles.
While they share similarities, blog posts and articles have their own best practices.
Understanding the nuances between the two is critical and allows you to leverage them effectively in your content strategy. But, should you use both?
What's a blog post?
Blog posts are the backbone of engaging your audience. Unlike articles, blog posts adopt a friendly, conversational style that bonds readers to your brand.
These succinct pieces — typically under 1000 words — speak intimately to consumers. They let you connect with readers on a more human level, may be written in the first person, and may include opinions.
Blog posts allow you to share personal perspectives, relate motivational stories, and create a narrative around your brand.
Think of posts as the journal of your health brand, chronicling personal experiences, trends, insights, and useful advice through the lens of your unique viewpoint. The format lends itself well to crafting the kind of relatable stories and tips today's consumers crave.
What's an article?
On the flip side, health articles are more formal and structured. They present evidence to support specific claims, whether it's about your health product's benefits or wellness strategies.
Articles are well-researched, follow a logical structure, and often use deductive reasoning. Their goal is to provide your audience with concrete evidence backed by reliable studies.
The language is generally formal and objective. However, to effectively educate, consumer-facing health articles blend a formal tone with easy-to-understand, plain language (usually at a 6th- to 8th-grade reading level).
Even with simplified writing, articles can exceed 1,000 words.
Key differences between blog and article
Aspect | Blog post | Health article |
Purpose | Personal narratives, engagement, educate | Present evidence, substantiate claims, educate |
Tone | Informal, conversational, casual | Formal, professional (consumer-facing articles use a conversational tone) |
Length | Generally less than 1000 words | Generally 1000+ words |
Research | Less stringent research standards | Well-researched, evidence-based |
When to use a blog post vs. an article
Use a blog post when:
The content is relatively short and concise.
You want to share personal experiences or anecdotes.
Your goal is to encourage reader comments, social sharing, and discussion.
Engaging your audience in a casual and conversational manner is important.
You aim to strengthen relationships with existing customers or connect on a personal level.
Use an article when:
The content is lengthy and requires in-depth coverage.
Your content requires a formal, professional, or technical tone.
You need to present well-researched and evidence-based information.
You want to establish authority on a subject and provide expert insights.
The goal is to convey complex information or make an evidence-backed argument.
Why not have both?
Businesses are reimagining how they communicate complex medical information to their consumers.
Traditionally, articles have been the go-to format for conveying authoritative content. Meanwhile, blog posts have been valued for their friendly, conversational tone and ability to establish a personal connection with the audience.
However, a new trend is emerging — one where businesses are leveraging the best of both worlds to bridge the gap between expert-level articles and consumer-friendly blog posts.
In other words, businesses have recognized that articles can remain authoritative while becoming more accessible.
Instead of presenting information in a dry and purely academic manner, articles now adopt a conversational tone, much like a friendly blog post, all while backed by research.
This shift highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering consumers in their healthcare journey.
Taking a combined approach that strategically uses both formats can achieve several objectives, including:
Building brand awareness and community.
Demonstrating expertise on complex topics.
Generating website traffic and lead conversion.
Improving SEO through fresh, optimized content.
Providing readers with valuable, hands-on guidance.
What’s more, a nurse writer is perfectly positioned to achieve exactly that: blend complex medical knowledge with easy-to-understand language in a warm and approachable tone.
This allows them to convey information to your consumers — almost as if they were having a conversation with a patient by their bedside.
It’s a wrap!
Think of it this way: blogs and articles are complementary rather than interchangeable.
When health brands combine engaging blog posts and authoritative articles, they can make a positive impact across the board.
This combination becomes a powerful content ally. And nurse writers play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.
In the end, it's about empowering people to take control of their health, one well-crafted post at a time.
Looking for a nurse writer to educate and engage your consumers?
Well, you’re in luck! You’ve just found The Write RN.
Drop me a line, and let’s talk about your content needs.