Whether you like it or not, there’s a good chance that your latest post is not unique. It’s either you were inspired by a similar post or someone else has already written about it. You can Google your topic and I’m sure you’ll get a huge list of similar posts. This is the blogosphere and trying to be unique with your posts is hardly possible.
Of course, it’s always nice to be unique as you have higher chances of getting noticed. Unfortunately, with an overcrowded Blogosphere, you need to compete with thousands of other blogs. This is especially true with make money online, blogging and technology niches. Considering the thousands of competitors in these niches, do you think they haven’t written something you know about?
Make Your Articles Unique. Are You Sh!tt!ng Me?
How often do you meet bloggers who always tell you to be unique? But then, if you read their ideas on their posts, you have the feeling that you’ve read the same ideas on other blogs, only this time; it was presented differently. Maybe they have a different understanding of the word unique. Maybe they think that rewriting the same idea using a different tone or a different approach of presentation makes it unique. Come on. Using the same idea with a different twist in presentation doesn’t make your post unique in anyway.
So all post are not unique? I’m afraid the answer is YES. The problem is, if the posts on your blog are similar to the rest of the articles found online, then you are not setting an edge for your blog. There’s no reason for people, therefore, to read your post as they probably read about it somewhere else. Obviously, this is not good. You need to find a way to make your post somehow different or at least better… much better. How are you going to do this and what are the possible strategies you can use to have an advantage over your competitors?
Read, Compare, Filter and Compose
When I have an idea in mind to write about, I don’t go straight on my dashboard and start writing about it. The first thing I usually do is use Google to search for similar existing posts. Once I have the list of result, I go over each one of them (Well, at least to the first 10 posts). I summarize their points and compare it from the other posts. This will allow me to better understand the topic that I have in mind. And since most of my posts are blogging tips, comparing the ideas I gathered from other posts allows me to filter the ones that are rubbish. Once I have the list of best ideas, I can proceed with the writing part.
It’s also important to note that you need to recognize ideas you have obtained from other blogs. A simple link to their post will do. Remember that you are only copying their ideas, not their post. Don’t ever plagiarize if you intend to establish a good reputation online. Besides, plagiarism is punishable by the law.
Read, Ask, Research, Answer and Compose
Another approach you can use when you make your post is to read, ask, answer then write. Like the first method, when you have an idea in mind, you don’t go straight to your dashboard to write about it. This method requires you to read other posts. As much as possible, posts from reputable bloggers. They usually have the biggest and the best ideas.
After reading their posts, ask yourself questions about their posts. Look for loopholes in their arguments, find issues that are not addressed on their post or search for flaws on their tips. Doing this allows you to make a better article about the same topic they covered. This however will require you to do extensive research.
Once you have identified flaws on other posts or inconsistencies in their arguments or issues unexplained, make a list of it and do the necessary research. Gather as much useful information you can use for your post. Answer issues that were unexplained. Rebut ideas from other bloggers or simply expose their mistakes and flaws. This may sound devilish of you but this means you’re setting an edge for your blog. Besides, this method will improve the quality of information available online.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to be unique with your blog and your posts. You can find almost any topic covered online. There is however a good reason why you should make your blog unique or at least different… much better from the rest of the blogs. You can do this by improving the quality of your post, which can be achieved by either “Read, Compare, Filter and Compose“ or “Read, Ask, Research, Answer and Compose“.
In your experience, how do you make your post different? How do you write better post? How do you create an edge for your blog? Do share them in the comments.
Thank you for your time. 
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