One of the biggest things that drives the success of a blog and other company marketing materials is readability.

Here’s the key: An 8^th grader should be able to understand and read all of the posts easily.

You should do this because around 50% of American adults are unable to read an eight grade level book.  Because of this, you should make sure that your blog posts are at or below this reading level.  If you do so, the vast majority of people who read your blog will be able to understand and read it.

To do this, try to keep your sentences as short as possible.  The more words a sentence has, the harder it is to read.  Also, try to avoid using advanced words that people might not understand.

The main question you probably want to ask is, “How can I figure out the reading level of something I write?”  If you keep reading, you’ll find out how to check the reading level of your writing.

Microsoft Word Has Readability Statistics Built In

One of the easiest ways to check the readability of something you write is by using Microsoft Word.  It has readability tools built right in that will help you check the reading level of your writing.

You have to make sure that the readability statistics are enabled.  You can do this by:

For Word 2010:

1. Click the File tab, and then click Options.
2. Click Proofing.
3. Under When correcting spelling and grammar in Word, make sure Check grammar with spelling is selected.
4. Select Show readability statistics.

For Word 2007:

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Word Options.
2. Click Proofing.
3. Make sure Check grammar with spelling is selected.
4. Under When correcting grammar in Word, select the Show readability statistics check box.

For Word 2003:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Spelling & Grammar tab.
2. Select the Check grammar with spelling check box.
3. Select the Show readability statistics check box, and then click OK.
4. On the Standard toolbar, click Spelling and Grammar .

The Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesh Reading Ease tests are used in Microsoft Word to determine your document’s readability.

The Flesh Reading Ease test has the following scale:

• A score of 90.0 – 100.0 shows that the writing will be easily understandable by an average 11-year-old student

• A score of 60.0 – 70.0 shows that the writing will be easily understandable by 13- to 15-year-old students

• A score of 0.0 – 30.0 shows that the writing will be best understood by university graduates

A score of 70.0 or above will allow your writing to be understood by most people.  Try for that score.

Are There Other Tools I Can Use?

Google Reading Level

Google has a new feature in its advanced search feature that will show you the readability of everything that is displayed in the search results.

This will allow you to test the readability of your blog as well as others in your industry.

Tests Document Readability

Using this free online utility, you will be able to test your writing.  This website also uses the Coleman Liau Index, ARI (Automatic Readability Index) and SMOG tests in addition to the Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level.

All of these indexes use slightly different formulas to judge the reading level of a document.  However, they all produce the same basic results.  Using these additional tests will allow you see a few more opinions of the readability of your writing.

You will also be able to see a word count and other useful statistics.

Summary

It is a good idea to write everything as if it was for someone in 8^th grade.  This will allow your writing to be read and understood by almost everyone.

Also, be sure to avoid using long sentences or complicated words.  This will take away from the readability.  You should also use Microsoft Word or another free tool to check the readability of your writing.

If you write at an 8^th grade level, your blog post will be understood more.  This will most likely lead to a larger audience for your blog and increased interactions.