Think Before You Write: WHY You Blog is More Important Than WHAT

shello (62)in #aimforexcellence • 7 years ago (edited)

You might want to step back for a second before hitting that "Post" button on your next article... If you've ever thought to yourself; "If I write a popular topic that I see on the trending tab, I'll get a bunch of rewards for sure" or "Man, maybe I should write about Cryptocurrency and ride the hype", you need to back the truck up. It's not the "popular topics" that will improve your posts and articles, getting you rewards and followers, but the mind behind them. Proof of brain is YOU.

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This guide covers who you are as an author,
and a few things to consider as you write your blogs!

The focus should be placed back to the writers on Steemit. The ongoing goal is to provide unique, engaging, and high-quality content for your readers! While you may think that you need to choose a golden subject to succeed, two people could write on the same topic, and one could end up being crap, while the other hits "Trending". The variable is not the topic, but more about the writer themselves, and the type of experiences and knowledge they bring with them.

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Be True To Your Interests!

The most important thing that many guides on Steemit writing say is "to be yourself", and they aren't wrong. However, if something you really like just so happens to also be a popular topic, then by all means, bring it to the table. I do art, tutorials, and even food posts, because these are things I actually like. I think it's a dumb idea to stop writing what you love because it's not the consensus. Censoring yourself out because a topic is too popular is self-sabotaging in the long run. If you want to niche that's perfectly fine, just as there are authors who choose to write on a variety of things. An important thought is to ask yourself;

If there were absolutely no rewards at all, what would I be writing about?

Because these are the things that matter.

You could always try to fake it, but it won't last. Those "crypto writers" have been heavily invested, have experience, and watch the markets daily, on top of other activities. Unless the information you can provide is on this level, you should be posting the things you actually know! If you feel like you want to write on a new topic, then do your best to learn more about it beforehand! There's no such thing as too much research, and everyone starts somewhere.

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What You Contribute

It's fine and dandy if you are writing about a topic you love with all your heart, but are you trying to provide valuable information that isn't already available in like 100 other blogs? Before submitting your article, ask yourself if your post does these things

Provides information not readily available by just "Google Searching"
Teaches the reader something useful about the topic or yourself that isn't "common knowledge"
Isn't about the one article you just read, and are trying to paraphrase for quick profit
Is this post going to help anybody?

When I look at value, a good indicator is application. If I can use the knowledge from a post in my everyday life, or will be necessary in a sticky situation, I'll think it was a good article. The goal is to make the information useful to the person who reads it. The adage "time is money," is true here too. Aim to make something that is worth reading!

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Enthusiasm

Are you exceptionally excited about what you just wrote, and feel like the words you typed out just exude brilliance all over your keyboard? If not, revisit and revise! Not every post will be a masterpiece, but if you feel like what you are writing about is a chore, you chose the wrong topic! Although satire and orgasms can be seen as faking zeal, you can write about anything you want. However, if you don't have genuine enthusiasm for it, it's gonna show. Your readers will look at your article and think; "Well s#^%, if they aren't even excited about it, then why should I be?"

Do you really care about what you have just written?

Did I have fun writing this?
Did I express something that I know about, that I want others to know too?
Does this post open up discussion, or is it not something "to talk about"?

Every article should be the most exciting thing you've come up with, or at least close. It doesn't matter if you think that others won't find it super great, if you don't like what you wrote it's like trying to sell a product you don't believe in. You want to be so ecstatic, that others will feel like they need to look into this thing you are advocating, to understand where you are coming from! When the enthusiasm is real, you will feel a stronger bond to your readers. This is what it means to promote and sell yourself; sell that vision! Which brings me to my next topic.

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Holding Up To The Vision

Is the article that you wanted to write, the same as the one you are about to post? I got into an interesting conversation recently where we marveled at the type of accomplishment an artist faces, when what they saw in their head, turns out to match what they put down on the paper or canvas. This isn't easy to do. One goal that expression seems to have, is that the creator always wants to materialize their thoughts and expressions as close as they can to what they see inside their "mind's eye". With having the enthusiasm present in your writing, a good step to shoot for is to bring your readers on an adventure, taking them out of the audience, and sticking them by your side.

I'll put you so deep in my shoes, that if I run- you'll sweat.

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Take the Lead

Remember! On Steemit, value is relative. If there is something that you know or like that doesn't seem too popular, one really good post about it, could make way for a new tag movement, or suddenly get everyone to start writing the same topic as you. It can be scary trying to tread new waters, but it can also be a new experience allowing you to reach further out of your comfort zone, and the readers that inhabit these areas!

Feel free to use the tags #aimforexcellence and #stopshitposts because that is exactly what this article is about, everyone has a chance to show themselves to others and not just copy the next guy. If you are only trying to write to attract one type of reader, that is all you will ever get.

Expand your knowledge and yourself, and your followers are sure to expand with it!

#stopshitposts #blog #writing #goals

7 years ago in #aimforexcellence by shello (62)

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felt.buzz (74) 7 years ago (edited)

Really good tips, not just for Steemit, but for writing in general. :) I have followed you, and will resteem this post a bit later, so it gets another 'airing'. :)

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inuke (64) 7 years ago

@shello Clearly lots of thought went into this post. And it does provide a perfect explanation on why I keep switching the subject. Little while ago I wondered what my followers (Not that I have many) are thinking about me posting Meme, Travelblogs and random blogs. Now I know it is not the topic but the content and how you present it. Take this post for example, If I wanted to read on how to blog I would get load ton of info on the mighty internet, but this particular one was I can relate to.

I need to put a lot more into my writing.

Thanks for the motivation. Keep rocking

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