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Why Great Content Is Vital

Written by - 27 Comments
Categories: Content, Content Marketing

I recently read an article about how some websites are churning out content using low cost content production resources such as articles from content farms and videos from automated video production companies.

So why do these companies pump out this low value content?

  • Long tail search engine rankings
  • To monetise via either via affiliate links within content or
  • Display ad revenue, selling value by every thousand impressions.

What are the numbers? At last estimate, one such network reported revenue of  over $200 million a year.

The mass media companies with their newspapers (Text) and TV (Video)  rely on subscriptions, readership and ratings to obtain their valuable cash flow. The reason they generate the dollars is because the more valuable the content they provide the more money they make. TV shows and events such as the Super Bowl provide millions of dollars per 30 second commercial because large numbers of people value the content, nothing more nothing less.

In the social media universe of Blogs, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube the rules of valuable unique content are no different.

People read a blog because the content is interesting and inviting. People watch a YouTube video because it entertains, informs or educates.

The paradox about content is that the value is not just for the the audience but also the producer of the content. So why am I writing “content” late at night ?.. because the value provided is not just for the reader but for me.. yes me (the selfish writer). So what do I get out of it?

  • Tired in the morning … Yes
  • Red Eyes.. Yes
  • Slightly annoyed partner.. Yes
  • Worn out Keyboard.. Yes

All of the above is true but the real essence here is that to write this, I had to read (love reading), learn (love a bit of learning), think (now that is dangerous) and discipline myself to.. not watch TV or play…but  to sit down and write this post. I gain insights and learnings that provide me, the writer with value that is very hard to measure on an ROI level. ..a content production farm does not float my boat, it doesn’t give me juice or passion.

So what are the benefits?

  • Possibly positions me as a thought leader
  • Helps me gain a little bit of credibility
  • Meet great people through comments and Tweets
  • Constant learning
  • Improves my blogs SEO
  • Increases my subscriber count through growing traffic
  • Positions me to maybe monetize my blog
  • Delays Dementia

So why do you write your blog or publish your VBlog?


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  • http://tribalboogie.blogspot.com/ Paul Sutton

    Blogging helps keep me sane. I process an incredible amount of information every day through RSS feeds and via Twitter in my fields of interest. It’s either blog about some of it or lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling and trying to file stuff away. Without blogging and microblogging I would, without doubt, go insane…

    • http://kathrynpless-pearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/ Kathryn Pless

      Paul, I know exactly how you feel. In fact that was the subject of my latest blog, lol.

  • http://highlyfavored.affiliateshelpdesk.com Kiesha @ Highly Favored

    I write a new post for my blog everyday because it’s my passion – but also because it’s my mission and my ministry – I have a Christian Blog and while I realize everyone in the world is not a Christian, it’s still my goal to share warm stories about my faith and my life’s lessons.
    I respect all cultures and religions, so you don’t have to be a Christian to benefit from what I write.
    Like you’ve said, the benefits far outweigh my exhaustion and red and puffy eyes (yeah, I have those, too). When I hear someone has been inspired to do something I’ve suggested or has done something to help someone else as a result of reading my blog (which I’ve had the opportunity to experience) I’m overjoyed and re-energized to continue in my efforts to create unique and quality content for my blog.

  • http://www.harrissocialmedia.com Roger Harris

    Good post, Jeff. Spot on as always. I write my blog for the reasons you mention — all of the above. I would just add that it’s a way to experiment without much risk. When I advise clients on social media, I want to get it right. So if I am uncertain whether a new approach will work I can try it on my own blog first.

  • http://www.johnakerson.com/blog John Akerson

    Jeff – your key words are “juice and passion.”
    Juice and Passion are essential for people who have creative energy that burns. Passion drives people to create, to become, to act, to speak out, and to make a difference. “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” is a quote from a person with juice and passion. “Hey look at this cat scratching at a television set” is content-farm stuff – and very forgettable.
    The juice and the passion make the difference. Be happy that you have your recommended daily allowence and more.
    I sure am. :-)

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  • http://launchpad604.blogspot.com Pierre Leroux

    Jeff, your are totally right. I have never ever regretted staying late at night writing content. For me, the reward is the ability to experiment, sort out info, make sense of it, AND the idea that I may discover something I didn’t know or suspect before sitting down.
    Interesting post… as always.

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  • http://kathrynpless-pearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/ Kathryn Pless

    I do most of my writing late at night. Right now it’s almost midnight and I’ve already updated my blog. To me the research part of it is as much or more fun the actual writing. Great post really enjoyed it!

  • http://twitter.com/mattdominy Matthew Dominy

    Great article, I feel like you were inside my thoughts :) I write my blogs at night because during the day I am typically busy with work and since a lot of my posts (I don’t have a ton so far) are for fun, it is a relaxing way to spend the evening. I also really enjoy sharing information with others for their enjoyment/success. I also blog for credibility, to connect with new people and to one day become a thought leader. I recently started as a social media consultant (I know, who didn’t) and I realize it is a necessary step to grow my client list.

  • Ruslan Ishchuk

    good thoughts!

  • Andrew Widgery

    Jeff you are a great example of what you preach.
    Your content I find insightful, informative and educational too but what you write is succinct.

    I think that is an art to get the point you want to make across to your readership in easy to absorb steps rather than a long winded dissertation.

    Writing blogs too gets you to think more in depth of the subject matter you have an interest in as you know if what you write doesn’t stack up or make sense, you will either be ignored or on a more positive note create debate which in turn helps to inform you of other points of view which should if your attitude is right, further educate or broaden your perspective.

    If you are writing about matters associated with your commercial skills, then by association of what you write if interesting and informative gets the readers to identify what your expertise is from which potential business might ensue.

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  • http://twitter.com/RayBrown99 Ray Brown

    Like you I’m trying to build my profile and my knowledge. Creating content forces you to think about what might create value for your readers or viewers. To me this is becoming a key business skill in a world where “noise” is everywhere.

  • http://www.therussianstore.com TheRussianStore

    Always enjoy your articles and learn from them. Thank you.

  • http://cheongsoonhaur.com/blog/ Cheong Soon Haur

    Yup! This is essential especially Google search base on original and rich content of the website/blogs.

    Warmest Regards,
    HAUR
    http://cheongsoonhaur.com/relationship/bed-in-bedroom-feng-shui-idea-to-boost-relationship/trackback/