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Re: blogs/content creation - do you feel like what you write is not original enough?

I feel this more often than I'd like to admit. I start writing about a topic relevant to the product/business I'm working on. But as I start putting thoughts to paper, I start to feel that what I'm writing is not some uniquely original or new insight. I'm not even writing click-baity stuff or posting something that's just a regurgitation of what's been said elsewhere. I think there's something of value in it, if not for all readers, at least to a portion of them. They may not be absolutely original or new ideas but they're nonetheless good to be reminded of.

Do you feel this? How do you overcome it? Do you just scrap and wait for that perfect insight or continue to write knowing that some of your readers may not learn anything new from it.

  1. 3

    Very few ideas, if any, are truly new. Anything you write has probably been covered before. But that doesn't mean you can't make the content original. Here are a few ways to do that.

    1. Use storytelling. For example, instead of just creating a "how to" article, for example, make it more of a case study style either from your own specific experience of someone elses. While lessons can be universal, experiences are unique.

    2. Niche down or come up with a different angle. For example, there's been lots written about Robert Cialdini's principles of influence. But I was able to make it unique and relevant by writing about how they can be applied to the real estate industry in a guest post on Inman (a site for real estate businesses and agents).

    3. Make it better than what already exists. There are many ways to do this. Go more in-depth. Include more examples. Add better visuals, video or interactive elements.

    4. Include original research or results. This can be difficult, especially if you don't have the resources to do it, but there are ways to make it work. For instance, if your product collects user data, you could use that, or you could try to partner up with a company that serves a similar target market and create a co-branded piece like Moz and Buzzsumo did on their content, shares and links report.

    5. Make it a roundup and get several experts to contribute.

    Best of luck.

  2. 1

    I think most of the time it's enough to have an original voice, the information doesn't necessarily need to be original. It passes through you, and it's filtered by your experiences, so it becomes unique. The same thing can be said by two people very differently. I think delivery has it's own value.

  3. 1

    Same!
    Writing about development tips, these are mainly static thing, they come as they are.
    And of course I do my research and see other people obviously talked about it before. But I just stick to my goal and don't need to be "unique" every day.
    As long as people seem to like my style of writing and demo's

  4. 1

    I think it's a very normal and a common feeling. There is no perfect or unique insight, at least it's not something very regular or common. If you're waiting for that perfect moment you probably won't end up writing or posting much at all.

    The important thing in those cases is for you to try and include as much of yourself into your content as possible. Share your knowledge, your experience, your point of view, your interests, your opinion on topics you write about.

    You are what's different about your content so put more of yourself into it. It's really difficult without that personal touch to write something so original as internet is saturated with content on any topic imaginable.

  5. 1

    Sometimes, but the last month i think it comes with the time, and practice, the last month i create 3 articles based on my experience and the engadgment is better (more page views and time on the website) the 3 articles are tutorials, i think the people really choose the articles writed in first person, and telling your experience with something

    1. 1

      First person experience is key, you're right. I was reading about this more, and what matters is your unique perspective on the topic.

  6. 1

    Wow, it's 100% me :)

    It seems, the only way to overcome this is to write more. No matter if nobody is reading you at the moment. The trick is that by the time your blog gain popularity, you'll be a master of expressing your thoughts clearly and nicely. And don't afraid that's it's not unique. 80% of posts in blogs and (particularly) in social networks are just paraphrase of something author read a minute ago.
    Write to express, not to impress. Put your own special perspective on topics that are sound with you. That attracts readers.

    I strongly advise to follow amazing David Perell on twitter (https://twitter.com/david_perell/). His threads about writing online, like this, are pure gold https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/1242544784490688512

    1. 2

      Thanks! Your reply was helpful! And i just followed David Perell as well :)

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