Welcome Guest!
Search
My Sites
Navigation Links
Copyright
All music on benbarden.com is free to share for non-commercial use only. Please see the music pages for more information.
All other content: Copyright © 2009 Ben Barden.
All Rights Reserved.
It's not what you say, it's how you say it
< Why do so many blogs repeat the same posts? | Writing great content | Write great posts, great comments, great replies >
A lot of blogs and websites say the same things. But somehow they get away with it. People read and leave a comment. Let's look at some possible reasons for this.You need to write things that people can relate to.
Some of the best stuff on the Internet is pretty simple really. Many of us already know what the writer is saying to us. In some cases we may even be able to second-guess their words before they say them.While this isn't a blog entry, a very good example is the YouTube video, Facebook - too much information?
I watched this and found it both accurate and entertaining. If you've never used Facebook before, the video isn't for you. But there are plenty of other things on the Internet that you will be able to relate to. I guarantee it.
If you break them down, most blog entries have been said before.
So what is it that makes us so intrigued by yet another list of top tips?- Writing style. As a writer you need to find your niche both in terms of subject matter and style. The way you write is a big part of whether people keep coming back. Early on, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of post to see what goes down well and what goes down like a lead balloon.
- Insight. A different perspective on a subject that's been done to death can give it a new lease of life. In my case, I'm a programmer who's explaining technical things without jargon, and explaining online things without any technical stuff whatsoever, if none is needed to explain them. This is a very different approach from the "uber-techy" bloggers I've encountered at all 27 corners of the web (or however many corners there are; I've not counted recently).
- Enthusiasm. There's nothing worse than reading an article that is just plain boring. Did you ever have a teacher who droned on and on and nobody really understood a word? I had one or two of those. You don't have to go overboard with a "happy clappy" tone, but at least make it sound as though you want to be writing!
Write what you know.
No matter how much buzz a particular topic might be creating on the Internet, there's very little point posting about a topic you know nothing about - particularly if it's irrelevant to your target audience.Unless you author a news site, you shouldn't announce every bit of news that interests you. Ask yourself if it's appropriate to post it on your blog.
Bring everything full circle.
I think it's reasonable to expect all blogs to go off-topic from time to time. The key is to write about the occasional diverse topic and discuss how it relates to your niche. That's a very clever way to attract new readers without upsetting your existing readers.If other sites beat you to it, beat them with a better post.
Sometimes it may feel like there's a race to be the first to announce something. I don't think this matters unless you're so late to the party that the subject is no longer relevant.Don't get frustrated if another blog or website writes about what you wanted to say before you do. The best thing to do is postpone your post (interesting phrase, that...) so it doesn't look like you're copying other sites, then make sure you write the best post you possibly can.
It doesn't matter that someone else said it first. Say it better.
What do you think?
Have you found your writing voice?Are you consistent with your writing style?
Of the blogs you know, which are the best written?
Related Content
Comments on It's not what you say, it's how you say it
I think a lot of people haven't found their writing voice because they are not serious about writing. Especially for those who are online with the sole purpose of making money via paid reviews, they will fill their blogs with nonsense or copies of other articles.
Writing takes work.
People, in general, don't like to work.
Turnip, I'm afraid I've locked up the jargon - you're not allowed to use it. I have a feeling that will make you want to use it even more though...
I agree with your points!
Entrepreneur, thanks for the comment - you're quite right, of course. A lot of things take time and effort to pull off but some people want the benefits without doing the work!
Hey Ben
You got an awesome layout and a nice way to interact with readers.. Way to go dude ..
Thanks nishu. :)
Another fantastic article. Congratulations your's is the first blog I have found that compelled me to leave comments on three postings in a row. That speaks volumes about your writing style and content.
I try to comment on several blogs a day. However,some days it is very difficult to find content that compels me to read, let alone contemplate and make it relevant to my world. So I suggest other readers pay attention to the articles and it's suggestions.
Thanks Leisa! :) I feel guilty when I use Entrecard to drop cards and I don't leave a lot of comments, but I just don't find a lot of sites that interest me. Either that or the last post on the sites I do like was from a week ago.
If you're not using the jargon anymore, can I use it for a while? Everything's been said before, same as every simple plot has been written before. What is new is applying old theories to recent events. As the net evolves, techniques change; society changes. People like to be informed and to be entertained. Try to do both and you can't go wrong.