Over the last year I have developed quite a keen ability to quickly spot blog writers I’ll end up enjoying. The process usually starts the same way. I start browsing a current blog I like, perhaps see another author referenced or a recent visitor, click through, and end up on a brand new site.
If I like what I read in the first 10 seconds, I add it to my iGoogle page under a tab of my choice. If over the next week I like what the blogger has to say, it will become a permanent fixture on my page, and I’ll add it to my list of sources to scan daily.
One thing that bugs me is when a blogger I follow will write about how they have nothing to write about. Some bloggers would disagree and encourage posting anyways, Maki at doshdosh.com agrees, but I do think that for once, doshdosh.com is oversimplifying the scenario; do you think that what you don’t publish defines your site? I don’t.
Take a look at your life outside of the Internet and think about how what you do defines who you are. What you don’t say often times can do more harm than good. If you’re a student and you never raise your hand in class surely your professor won’t think much of you, and likewise if you’re in the business world and you’re not standing up for your ideas you’ll never make it out of the mail room. What you publish (and say) defines you.
If you have nothing to say and let the world know that on your blog, it plays a role in shaping who you are. If you don’t have something to say, you’re probably not subscribed to (and following) enough other blogs or feeds. In any given day there’s always a multitude of things I come across that deserve a deeper look or commentary - finding the time to write about them is the only problem.
If you’re having writers block or just feeling too lazy to post, expand your horizons and subscribe to some new blogs or news sources. You’ll find something worth writing about.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed.!
DIY Lawn Tips responded on 03 Mar 2008 at 8:45 pm #
I think the niche dictates the tone in which you use to approach your readers. A personal blog offers the owner a chance to share his/her personal emotions and feelings.
However, on mine, for example, my readers don’t necessarily give a rip about me and my feelings.. they care about me helping them improve their turf.
AL
bloggernoob responded on 03 Mar 2008 at 8:48 pm #
nice post matt. i didn’t think much of my post, but you bring up a deep issue. Posting rambling or deciding not to post a rambling. i think i boils down to personality. some people would rather keep their mouth shut when then don’t know a topic. others ramble on regardless. i like your student teacher analogy. in my opinion, it’s better to post about nothing, then to post nothing. you’re probably right, i should seek out a few more blogs.
trav responded on 03 Mar 2008 at 8:49 pm #
I took some time to read the other two links you posted (the agree/disagree) and think you probably make the best points.
the bloggernoob site had a good point that it generates content..but i think users get so much more if there is good content to comment on
and that doshdosh article was kind of fluffy…i totally agree that what you DO say makes the biggest difference…as you said in your article!
this blog is always super high quality..good job!
WhyDoWork responded on 03 Mar 2008 at 8:57 pm #
@ DIY:
You’re right. A personal blog (like the blogs of the old days) where the author is writing like a diary totally warrants that type of post. I’ll have to pass your site on to my dad: he is obsessed with his lawn!
@ noob:
I just happened to read your post and maki’s at the same time so I thought i’d highlight both sides and pass on a link. Your post about nothing turned into a clever way to see how you could get some SE ranking
@ trav:
thanks for the kind words..I do what I can
Maki :: Dosh Dosh responded on 03 Mar 2008 at 9:03 pm #
“Maki at doshdosh.com agrees, but I do think that for once, doshdosh.com is oversimplifying the scenario”
I think you’re really putting up a straw man here and I don’t think I’m oversimplifying the scenario at all. First of all, nobody is suggesting that one should hush up and ‘not stand up for your ideas’.
That is clearly NOT the point of my article and I don’t think you should frame it that way just to get your point across.
Let me explain the article in greater detail so you’ll understand what point I’m trying to get across. This is something I’ve said to another commenter.
This article is not about being incredibly unique all the time. It’s not saying that recycled or already-published content cannot be valuable for users. If you’ve read dosh dosh, you would probably be aware that I know readers have different informational needs. I’ve already mentioned this in the fourth paragraph in this article.
After all, how can I really understand how tens of thousands of readers value content here? How can I know what they want to or prefer to read?
I could do a poll but even then it’s still a snapshot of an evolving reality I cannot fully comprehend. This is something I’m acutely aware of. I know readers don’t visit the same blogs because I’m tracking click ratios for my outbound links. Because they all send me emails with all sorts of questions ranging from the most mundane to the most advanced.
All I’m saying in this article is that content can be used as a way to frame your website and influence how you want users to think about your brand.
Most people just talk about how content can be used to get links, traffic and subscribers. I’m talking about the overall identity or reputation that can be strategically created by carefully monitoring what you publish (or not).
How would you think of Dosh Dosh if I simply rewrote what Darren Rowse and Brian Clark wrote everyday? What if I held contests, did paid reviews every so often and published short news-posts which just echoed what has already been said?
I’m sure you’ll think of this site differently. But even if I did this… I’m sure that some people will still find the information on Dosh Dosh to be valuable. I’m not disputing that. It’s all relative, as I’ve said.
But it’s the overall image I’m creating that I’m concerned with. By not publishing specific content that is already well elaborated by others, by striving to inject new perspectives, ideas and analysis whenever possible, you’re not only adding value… you’re quite clearly trying to distinguish yourself from the rest.
How many ways can you rewrite ‘tips to get more blog comments’ or ‘methods to get more adsense income’? Not many. And I emphasize on ‘rewriting’ because these topics are already beaten to death.
I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t do these articles. They can be useful as a lead-in for future pieces which go more in depth than other sites in the niche.
I’ve done some beginners guides because I wanted my readers to grow with me. This allows me to tackle more advanced material later on. Even then your beginner guides should include your personal opinion or some research of your own. Something different will make you an edge in value. That’s the key point to note here.
I’ve seen far too many blogs in the internet marketing niche who keep on covering the same topics mentioned by others again and again, mostly by linking to A-listers and not providing any new insights on the topic. Sad to say, but they don’t and won’t grow to be a popular blog. Their chances are slim because their content lacks a Unique Selling Proposition.
Most people can and will continue writing these sorts of repetitive content because they believe that a certain population of readers will find it useful…certainly, that is the model for ad-driven news blogs. That’s fine if you want to go that route.
But my experience with growing Dosh Dosh from nothing to its current form tells me that that isn’t really a way to blow up fast. It’s not a good way to become an authority. At the very least, remix the old and reframe it to position yourself as a thought-leader. Coin a few new terms/concepts to make people rethink the topic.
By all means, write about topics already published elsewhere but I honestly think there is not much value (for you) if you don’t use it as an opportunity to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other blogs out there.
The bottomline is how you approach these topics. If you’re just putting out cookie-cutter solutions found elsewhere, readers will know. They aren’t stupid. And whatever ‘value’ you give them will quickly be outlived when they discover how you’re just creating noise.
WhyDoWork responded on 03 Mar 2008 at 10:12 pm #
“That is clearly NOT the point of my article and I don’t think you should frame it that way just to get your point across.”
I know, but my comments (and slightly over the top analogies) were aimed at saying the same thing about your article title choice.
“How would you think of Dosh Dosh if I simply rewrote what Darren Rowse and Brian Clark wrote everyday? What if I held contests, did paid reviews every so often and published short news-posts which just echoed what has already been said?”
I would be super pissed, and eventually pass into a state of unimaginable sorrow.
In that case what you didn’t publish would save me as a subscriber at your site, but that is as a result of my experience with other bloggers who do publish those sorts of topics.
“By all means, write about topics already published elsewhere but I honestly think there is not much value (for you) if you don’t use it as an opportunity to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other blogs out there.”
As you said, your article was intended to inform your audience that content can be used to frame your website, influence your brand, and develop your personality online. I don’t do paid posts, or affiliate links and I do believe that shapes who I am. The audience here knows that I write when I have something I think others might find useful or interesting, and I think it’s what I choose to write that has the greatest impact on shaping my brand and identity online.
Understanding your articles are primarily theoretical, I was merely pointing out that its a mutually exclusive case: you can’t argue that it’s both what you publish and what you don’t publish that define your identity. Ultimately it is the keystrokes you clack away at and what you publish that define who you are in relation to someone else.
Those that do paid posts, rehash what A list bloggers have already said, and post about tips to get more comments are shaping who they are with their words; without them you wouldn’t have a line in the sand to draw a comparison to.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving some feedback.
James Mann responded on 04 Mar 2008 at 3:52 am #
I agree. When I go to a blog I can usually tell within seconds if I want to continue with this page or even the site. I use bloglines to keep up with the feeds I like, like this one.
I think I can be a bit of a wimp when it comes to posting. I don’t usually say anything that will cause any ripples. Maybe it’s time to get over the shy blogger role and start voicing my opinions more strongly.
See that is why I love to collect feeds. I can get really motivated for the entire day.
Thanks for the great content Matt.
Note: the email field would not accept the length of my email address so I had to use a smaller email address. It seems to be limited to 25 characters. My domain name is longer than that.
Maki :: Dosh Dosh responded on 04 Mar 2008 at 7:49 am #
“Understanding your articles are primarily theoretical, I was merely pointing out that its a mutually exclusive case: you can’t argue that it’s both what you publish and what you don’t publish that define your identity. Ultimately it is the keystrokes you clack away at and what you publish that define who you are in relation to someone else.”
Yes I can. No, its not mutually exclusive. It’s far too simplistic to think that way. I disagree completely with your claim that my article title is misleading. No, it’s not merely semantics.
And I don’t know why you want to pick bones about the choice of my title…. it was clearly written to emphasize the opposite side of the argument. Let me try to explain one last time, so you’ll get it.
It’s very, very apparent to everyone that what you publish defines your site. I know that. Everyone does. There is no argument about it. And you’re trying to make a case that I somehow don’t understand that. You’ve read my blog for a while, do you think I’m really ‘arguing’ that what you don’t publish matters a lot more than what you publish? NO. I’m just pointing an alternative perspective to reinforce the MAIN POINT of how content can influence perspectives.
Sometimes, in order to get a point across, you need to emphasize a specific negative, which DOES NOT make it a mutually exclusive case. How could it? It’s extremely clear that my article was written to emphasize ONE single thing.
Ready? Here it is.
Deliberating refraining from NOT publishing specific content is a pro-active act towards defining your identity. This is a mindset. One that abstains from a specific form of action.
It is just as pro-active as the act of publishing specific content to frame your site in a certain light. It is also a mindset which strategically decides to not take a specific action in order to induce a response or perspective.
Emphasizing one does NOT devalue or mutually exclude the other, since they are both overall mental attitudes which lead to actions that benefit one’s site. Not especially when the article primarily highlighted the benefits of NOT publishing in order to support the ESSENTIAL thesis that content affects perspectives and can be used as a branding tool. It’s just a round-about way to address the essential point. It does not make it mutually exclusive at all.
To pick my title apart based on semantics is to misread it. Forgive me, but I really think you’re the one simplifying my point of view and creating a straw man here. Not me. If you have any issues with me or the article, please feel free to email me. I’ll be happy to talk to you personally.
WhyDoWork responded on 04 Mar 2008 at 7:51 am #
@ James:
I don’t think you need to be afraid of causing ripples. Blogs typically aren’t news sources so you’re not really bound to delivering only the facts. I always think if you have something to say, say it. Causing ‘ripples’ just for the sake of stirring up controversy won’t get you very far, but if you have a valid argument I think a blog is a great place to make it.
I’ll look into lengthening the email field!
WhyDoWork responded on 04 Mar 2008 at 11:22 am #
@ Maki:
I think I’ll agree to disagree.
I’m more of a proof by perfect induction vs. straw man which is why I tend to break things down into a very literal base case.
Anyways, I suppose we could discuss further off line or arrange an American Gladiators style over sized q-tip battle if you’re still unhappy with my take on it.
Joe responded on 04 Mar 2008 at 1:41 pm #
The WhyDoWork.com team is internally divided here. I had a long gTalk style argument with Matt about the topic and I’m siding with Maki @ Dosh Dosh.
Although I do agree with Matt and his advice for people struggling for content. Subscribing to a lot of high quality related blogs will help you brainstorm your next topic.
Good to see some healthy discussion!
Joe ~ WhyDoWork.com
neil responded on 04 Mar 2008 at 2:29 pm #
maybe you girls could save your whining for later?
thanks!
neil
Troy responded on 05 Mar 2008 at 8:22 pm #
Hi there, very nice post and makes a great point. Inspired me in part to write one of my own on Google Reader (you’re linked).
http://freesite.iblogger.org/index.php/2008/03/05/how-google-reader-can-change-your-life