A friend of mine recently sent me an e-mail asking what I thought about useful content on blogs. His curiousity spurred from an article by Chris Brogan called Set Your Blog On Fire. In the article Chris says:
- Deliver USEFUL information, not just opinions. Give people something to focus on.
- But, have a strong voice, and an obvious opinion.
My goal here at A Silent I is to provide others with content that they can take something from. I enjoy bringing new things to people’s attention and to help them use those tools. While this blog isn’t the only place I try to do this, it’s a natural extension. Sure, you could start a blog with the primary goal to improve your writing, but if it’s not about others you might as well keep a little pocket note book and scribble away on the train (not a bad thing – sometimes your best ideas come from here). I don’t write many opinion pieces, but they are a great change of pace. I think the most successful opinion pieces show up in newspapers and they’re successful because you have other things on the previous and next page to read about. I would try to do that to. Write a few informative articles and weave in some opinion pieces from time to time.
I think of it this way; if you met someone at a party it would be natural for you to start up a small conversation. Imagine this person kept going on and on about what they thought, how they did this and that, and how something else was unbelievable because they just didn’t see it that way. Meanwhile, you haven’t said a word, or been invited to say what you think. That wouldn’t make me want to talk with that person in the future either. A good conversation consists of two or more people with opinions.
It’s kind of the same on a blog. Have an opinion, but make sure others have a chance to participate and heck, learn something yourself. What’s your style?
Photo Credit: Jeff Epp
Absolutely!
I generally write about my thoughts on a subject. Because I’m not actually breaking news, and I rarely provide original primary content (like product reviews) I choose to discuss others’ content and hopefully give it a new angle.
At the very least, I hope to generate a conversation thread about the subject.
Really good post!
I totally agree with you. I try like in any good conversation to switch the topics. I scatter a few best practise pieces, with a few subversive looks at communications.
One of the other things I try to do is keep new delicious posts updated. This way there’s a common talking point should anyone be so inclined.
I’m still figuring out but compared to my first day as a blogger to where I am now I like progress.
My style is snarky and smart-ass.
It’s hard to find a topic that a hundred others haven’t written about. So, I try to inject my posts with my opinion on PR, social media and pop culture. The chances of people reading my blog to find out about new concepts or products are slim to none. All I try to do is present a different take on an issue and start a conversation.
@Rick: I generally have the same problem. I find some people who blog have original sources and those can be hard to come by. We should set up an interview and generate our own original content!
@Brett: Glad you’re headed in the right direction. There’s still no “must” in the blogosphere so really, you just have to go for it.
@Bonnie: That’s a good idea to add a thematic element to an opinion. That sounds like one of those unspoken “social contracts” between you and your audience.
Just writing to say that was an invaluable post Mike. You inspired me to write again and try to be better. But you set the bar very high!
Please keep writing- your style is just plain awesome.