I'm back...

Okay, everything depends on your target and objective. If you are writing posts for realtors/AR community, shorter is often better.  And, links really not necessary.

Now, if you are targeting your client and really trying to rank well on google/search engines, then in general writing in depth articles will be the way to go.  You should write them to answer the question/topic and do it meaninfully (and don't stuff words just for length).  Assuming you have done this, then often it is better to be 1000+ words (in fact many SEO experts will tell you 2,000+...because those posts rank better, get more clicks and get more shares.  This assumes it's a good article.  And, it should be organized well w/ lots of white space, often bullets and pictures.  It can no look like a wall of words and it needs to engage your reader. 

My personal goal is to do one of these epic posts per month.  The rest of my stuff (which you see on here) is usually shorter...because I'm not trying to rank and not targeting my customer.

Re: links, in general this is a good idea, assuming that the links are helpful to the reader.  This will allow them to find more info, drive them to your site/keep them there longer.  These links should be meaningful to your customer/reader, and work in the context of what you are writing about.

Also, often linking to an external and relevant source and trusted source will help you rank a bit better.  This is counterintuitive to many.

I also think having a variety of short and long posts is helpful to keep reader's interest.

Reading old Questions, Hannah.

You are right - there is no need of 300 words for a quality blog. However, it seems when want to write a nice blog, 300 words are easy to come by.

I do not think there is any magic in the length of a blog. I frequently use links but you have to wonder how many readers will actually click on the links.

???

If the blogger has nothing worthwile to say, 300 words is WAY TOO MANY.

If the blogger is engaging the reader, pulling them along with skilled writing and the reader is receiving the promise the title suggest, 300 words is a FALSE limitation.

Should there be links. Yes and no.
Authority links are big, big, big bonus for ranking your blog.
Repeated links to your website will have the opposite effect.
A link to a pop-up ad infested website will be a betrayal of the reader.
A link to your lead capture page....isn't that essential?

Hannah,

If it is appropriate you should have links.  I would not try to game for SEO reasons, Google is on to us.

Personally  I like links however when I started blogging I was told to make my blog posts no more than 225-250 words. The reason was the readers attention span. 

Combining a shorter post with links for more information is a winner 

This completely depends on the objective of the post.  I have lots of thoughts on this...but need to run to my next appt.  I will try to come back later.

...Yes, some should be longer...more later.

I dont think most of those rules make as much of a difference as many think they do, just write what you want and be prolific and steady with the posts.

As others have said it depends on your blog topic and audience. I think images or photos are often important, and ideally a length of at least 200 words even when it's a very focused communication. Links are good when they'll be used but not just to have them.

Well quality is a very subjective term.  I've seen what I thought were quality blogs less than 300 and over 1000 words.  I think google wants to see relevant, unique information.  So long as it's not 1000 words with 900 of them being filler, I think providing more information is better than providing only limited information.

I usually blog between 200 and 350 and if it has to do with localism, I will put in links.

I rarely do a public post without links back to my web site.   I think that is the whole point of blogging.  

Hi Hannah --- I really like Alexandra's Ron & Alexandra Seigel comment --- connecting with your audience is key and the link she included was a terrific read.  

Reader engagement is so important and presentation of the layout is crucial as Debbie Gartner outlined.

Unless there is some kind of requirement(typically for contests or challenges) I don't look at the number of words.  The goal is to attract not just readers but clients.   

I am hearing that to rank on google it needs to be about 750.  But who reads anything that long.

Well, the links do help IF the people read it.   I have talked with people who follow me and any blog that getting even close to 100 words they move on.

Most of my posts have links although not all are 300 words long.  I seem to be getting pretty good traffic.  And, I agree with Ron & Alexandra Seigel !

Links must help Hannah, as I have read many times to include them. Anything to get more SEO is worthwhile...