Writing Original content for your blog is important nowadays. You can’t rehash the same old stuff from other blogs. This is a guest post by Tim Handorf, who writes on the topics of online colleges and is sharing with us today Tips On How to Write Original Blogs.
Part of maintaining a successful blog means writing fresh, original content on a regular basis. Just think about the blogs you follow regularly, and ask yourself why you follow that particular blog rather than other blogs of the same genre.
Chances are the reason you follow certain blogs is because something about the blogger’s unique style of writing appeals to you — it stands out from the crowd.
So why is it that many blogs you see these days only copy the ideas of another blogger?
One of the worst offenses in the blogging world is bloggers who make a regular habit of linking back to another blog, regurgitating what someone else’s blog already said, and calling it a day.
In my experience, blogs that claim to report on celebrity life are the worst culprits when it comes to copycat blogging.
While it is at times useful to re-route readers to a well-written point by another blogger, this should be the exception and not the rule.
Here we will explore some tips for writing original blog posts:
• Recognize When a Certain Topic is Overdone
When you are throwing around a blog idea in your head, do a little Google search and see how much has already been written about the topic.
If you see endless blogs exploring that same topic, choose a different idea or find a new slant on your original idea. For instance, if you manage a food blog and wanted to write about how to make a certain food and find that tons of blogs have done the same thing, consider writing the article on how to plate and present the dinner you were considering making, or maybe how you modified the recipe to your liking.
• If You Do Link to & Comment on Another Blog, Don’t Rehash
Nobody needs a play-by-play of a blog that’s already been written. Be sure to add your original thoughts about the blog you are linking to, or expound on how you have personally put the advice of the other blogger to good use.
• Choose Topics That Are Specific To You, & Your Expertise
The more you blog about your own personal experiences, the less you take the risk of sounding just like somebody else.
For instance, if you write a blog on the topic of personal finance, you could share how you personally got out of debt, quirky habits you put into practice to spend less money, the dynamics of how you and your spouse handle money, etc.
Remember: No one else lives in your shoes but you, and your readers want to hear how real individuals become successful in different aspects of life, and how they can apply that advice to themselves.
• Spend Time Writing Blogs
Unless you happen to be very lucky, good ideas don’t just come quickly out of thin air. If you begin to see that you are spending a mere 15-20 minutes on blogs and not putting any real effort into them, then you need to re-evaluate your blog strategy.
When you give yourself too little time to blog, you end up with the temptation to steal another blogger’s idea for a quick post on your own blog.
• Make A List
It’s a good idea for you to carry a notebook around with you when you are out and about so you can jot down blog ideas as they come to you and not forget about them. In fact, when you are about to write a blog, it is a good idea to write or type out a list of original angles you can take on old, worn-out ideas before you start blogging.
• Recruit Guest Posters
Some days the well of blog ideas will simply run dry. That’s why it’s important to build contacts and relationships with fellow bloggers (or expert friends) who can send a fresh guest post to you every now and then. Just be aware that guest posting is a two-way street; if you ask for someone to send you a blog, be prepared to write blogs for them when they need help.
The Bottom Line
Nobody wants to read blogs on topics that have already been written about a thousand times. Find a way to come up with more original content and stay away from the bad habit of linking to other people’s blogs only to write about same thing they did.
Share your comments on the importance of writing original blog content by writing on the great comment form below.
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“Recognize When a Certain Topic is Overdone”
I think this is a big problem Tim. All too often I see the same regurgitated articles. There are only so many ways a blogger can list 10 things for success, yet we see this type of article written all the time.
I liked your point: Choose Topics That Are Specific To You, & Your Expertise. I think, people will know me better if I write on my personal experiences. Also the post will be unique as it will only be shared with me.
I’m not sure why more people don’t use guest posting as a content creation strategy. It’s great and if you happen on some good writers you’ll get some valuable content as well.
I like the idea of googling a topic before you write on it. Let the dead topics stay dead. I’ve started carrying a notebook with me, so hopefully I’ll remember my good ideas. Unfortunately I think a lot of them come while driving.
-Jane
I am a big list person. It is a great way to get ideas. Not everything on the list pans out. But I have not been making lists of original angles. I like that.
I have to agree that the play by play of other blogs is way too much for me.
I agree with you Ian
Guest posting is totally underrated it is one of the best ways to get a quality backlink and a good traffic flow
I agree on the part where one blogs based on their own personal experiences. I love reading articles wherein there’s the presence of the blog writer’s personal thoughts and experiences. The main reason is because these kinds of articles apply in real life.
man, your one line said it all “SPEND TIME WHILE WRITING”
today in this fast moving world, every blogger is in a hurry to write his post after what comes up is a seriously low quality post…
give some time, if you write daily, write once per 2 days but write the quality articles
I’m not sure quality article can be done by just 1-2 hour. Quality article need a deep research and its spend a lot of time for sure. And i’m sure visitor will choose blog which have very high-quality weekly updates than a blog with daily updates but less quality. Or you say you have a tips to make a lot of quality article in a day? Share with us 🙂
I find one of the best ways to avoid accidental plagiarism is to dig even deeper into your niche. Say you want to write on SEO, instead of looking at it from a broad view look deeper into something possibly like SEO techniques with images. If that has been over done then look even deeper and do an entire article on the Alt attribute within pictures for SEO. It will be much more targeted and you’ll have a lot less competition. Thanks for the post.
I agree with carrying a notebook and pen everywhere you go because ideas seem to come to you in the most unexpected time at the most unexpected place. I don’t know why it happens but it is what usually happens to me. So it’s best to be prepared for those little spark of ideas.