Blogs

• Format using sentence case. Only capitalize proper nouns.
• Keep headlines relevant and concise
  • Aim for a maximum headline length of 50 to 60 characters.
  • Short headlines with 6 to 8 words are ideal, with a maximum of 10 to 11 words (Google will truncate longer headlines)
• Be clear: Include keywords in the title so people know what the article is about.
• Does the headline teach something or address/identify a problem?
• Have you used short, conversational words and sentences?
• Use a strong action verb if you can:
  • Boost your…
  • Prevent damage….
  • Build better……
• BUT ALSO, consider headlines with numbers when it makes sense (not all the time)
  • 5 proven ways to improve beef herd health
  • Top 3 treatments for yellow tomato leaves

Refer to Extension

• University of Illinois Extension
• Illinois Extension
• Extension

Refer to Campus

• Follow the StratCom guide
• Do not use UIUC
• The first reference to the campus should always be University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

• Use meaningful display text instead of full URLs.
• It is acceptable to have up to eight or so hyperlinks to related Illinois Extension content. The number of links is dependent on the length of your content.
• Don't place two separate links close together.
• Don't hyperlink an entire long sentence. Link enough words that the reader understands exactly where the link will take them.
• Although you can link to content on another organization's website, remember that once you send them off our site, it is possible they will not return. When possible, if a good Illinois resource exists, use it instead of another state's content.

• Do not use bold text as headings.
• Use italics sparingly (scientific names)
• Use appropriate Paragraph heading tags (H2, H3, H4, etc.).
• Organize information logically; add headings if you can and it makes sense with the content.
• Use bullet points or numbered lists to make lists skimmable and identifiable to screen readers (and Google).
• Comments are assumed to be those of the blog’s author without attribution, thus do not require quotation marks.
• Use quotation marks if quoting someone else.

• Write in first or third person.
• Use a style that best suits your personality and audience. Your style could range from conversational to formal, or from academic to accessible. Your personality should shine through, so adopt a style that suits you.
• Comments are assumed to be those of the blog’s author without attribution, thus do not require quotation marks.
• Use quotation marks if quoting someone else.
• Use a creative content structure, such as beginning with anecdotes or questions, to build interest throughout the story, and to keep readers engaged to the end.

Try to summarize information using text and list formats instead of using a table when possible. Tables are best used for simple data and should contain clearly defined row and column heading labels. Avoid using complex tables, which can be difficult for screen readers to navigate.  If a table is necessary to display the information, follow these steps:

• Click the table icon on the far right of the editing toolbar.
• Select the number of rows and columns for the table.
• Click into the table to see the table editing toolbar.
  • Toggle on the Header Column
  • Toggle on the Header Row
  • Enable table caption and enter the information.
• Enter table content.
• Click anywhere inside the table and select Responsive Table from the Styles drop-down.

This image will display next to a small section of the article's intro text on multiple locations throughout Extension's website. Some of those locations will crop the image to a different size, so use limited or no text on the image for best display.

• Image Size: 730x400 pixels

Banner images will display across the top of the blog article page but will not populate elsewhere. Be aware that this image will be very narrow. This should not be used in place of a Main Image.

Add several images to a blog. This works especially well at the end of the main blog content.

• Image Size: 1200x880 pixels (recommended)
• Try to use the same size of images for the best display experience.
• Vertical images are also acceptable.
• Choose Add Image Gallery from the Section drop-down menu beneath the blog article's main text box.
• Add a gallery title, subtitle, and description.
• Click Add New File to upload each image.
• Use the Title field under the image for the caption. The caption will only show when the image is clicked.

This section type lets you highlight up to three additional images that include captions.

• Image Size: 1200 x 880 pixels
• Choose Add Image Row from the Section drop-down menu beneath the blog article's main text box.
  • Upload the image and add alternative text.
  • Add photo credit for the image if needed. This is for internal purposes and does not show on the published page.
• Click Save and Insert.
• Add an appropriate caption (optional). This will display on the published webpage.
• Repeat this process up to two times for a maximum of three images.
   

Use an Image Text Row to place an image next to a specific section of text.

• Image Size: 1200 x 880 pixels.
• Choose Add Image Text Row from the Section drop-down menu beneath the blog article's main text box.
• Select image placement to be Right or Left of the text.
• Select theimage display ratio: 25%, 33%, or 50%
• If you add text in the subtitle field, it acts as an H2.
• Add the body text you want associated with the photo.