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Blogging Guide > Getting over the hump > Repeating yourself isn't always a bad thing
As you start to write more content for your blog, you'll start to notice the same topics coming up again and again. Perhaps you've already noticed this on the other blogs or websites that you read.
Writing about the same things is pretty much inevitable, really - the key is in why you're writing a particular post more than once, and how you write it. I think it would be foolish to copy a previous post word for word, but other than that, there are ways you can make repetition work to your advantage.
You can't assume that everyone has been following your site since day 1. That's why it can be a good idea to revisit previous topics in recent posts. You can link to the previous post and write more about it in your "new and improved" version.
By doing this, you're not only helping your new readers to find older posts that are worth reading, you're also adding to what your existing readers already know. There's not much point restating the same things if there's nothing new to say. However...
That's not an excuse for writing bad posts, but it does allow you to take an old post and revamp it. You'll know more and be able to write much more confidently about the topic than you did before. Of course this really depends on what you're writing about.
That's your opportunity to draw on previous posts. Also, a weekly round-up is a really good way to highlight the best post(s) of the week.
The basic premise is not to go overboard with certain types of post unless you're certain that your readers are happy with that. This can even be a good way to come up with new content if you're stuck - for instance, I've only put three posts in Building your reputation so far, so maybe I should work on that section a bit more. You can always start writing about different things if you have too much content in your existing categories, providing of course it's relevant to your target audience.
Is it something that you will keep doing?
Does it bother you if sites repeat themselves too much?
Repeating yourself isn't always a bad thing
< Inspiration can come from the strangest of places | Getting over the hump | Turning writer's block into an opportunity to excel >
Writing about the same things is pretty much inevitable, really - the key is in why you're writing a particular post more than once, and how you write it. I think it would be foolish to copy a previous post word for word, but other than that, there are ways you can make repetition work to your advantage.
Think of new readers.
Not everyone will have followed your site since the beginning. Many won't know about your site until partway through its life.You can't assume that everyone has been following your site since day 1. That's why it can be a good idea to revisit previous topics in recent posts. You can link to the previous post and write more about it in your "new and improved" version.
By doing this, you're not only helping your new readers to find older posts that are worth reading, you're also adding to what your existing readers already know. There's not much point restating the same things if there's nothing new to say. However...
You can improve old posts.
Particularly when you're starting out, not every post is the best you've ever written. Some posts are better than others. If you work on a post when you're not really in the mood to write, or you write posts before you've honed your writing style (inevitable unless you're already a great writer), perhaps you didn't give it your best shot.That's not an excuse for writing bad posts, but it does allow you to take an old post and revamp it. You'll know more and be able to write much more confidently about the topic than you did before. Of course this really depends on what you're writing about.
Not everyone reads every post
You'd better believe it! Even your most loyal followers will have times when they simply can't read your site, and they may fall behind.That's your opportunity to draw on previous posts. Also, a weekly round-up is a really good way to highlight the best post(s) of the week.
Get the balance right
In the photos I've used for this post, I came up with some imaginary tallies for certain types of content. I don't do this with my blog when I'm planning or writing new posts, but as I start to organise my older posts into Tutorials, I can see how many posts I've written in each section. You can see this on the tally chart too (remember, it's not actually my site that's highlighted in the tallies).The basic premise is not to go overboard with certain types of post unless you're certain that your readers are happy with that. This can even be a good way to come up with new content if you're stuck - for instance, I've only put three posts in Building your reputation so far, so maybe I should work on that section a bit more. You can always start writing about different things if you have too much content in your existing categories, providing of course it's relevant to your target audience.
Running themes
If you were to go through the Tutorials section on my site, you'd probably find some running themes. Strictly speaking, there shouldn't be too much duplication, but a certain amount of repetition isn't bad - sometimes it can take a few posts before your readers understand (a) what you're saying and (b) how they can use your thoughts on their own site. Again, it depends what you write about.What do you think?
How often do you repeat yourself?Is it something that you will keep doing?
Does it bother you if sites repeat themselves too much?
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Comments on Repeating yourself isn't always a bad thing
Its great for search engine optimization as well if you use the same keywords.
Dennis - I've always wondered, what is there to put into a newsletter that isn't already in a regular site feed? Is it something you send out weekly? I don't have a newsletter right now so it would be good to know how it works for you. :)
esvl - only if the keywords are relevant to the post, of course! But yes, that does help.
Thanks for the comments. :)
This is a great idea. I also copy old posts into my autoresponder for my newsletter readers, in case they haven't seen it.
Then to get them back to the bog if I want, I just tell them to comment if they wish; with a link to the post.