One of the much hyped up realities of the Internet is that it has changed the rules of content production and distribution. Now, just about anyone can create content that can potentially be seen by thousands or even millions of people. But there is a downside to all of this “free speech.” It has helped to feed a growing specter of information overload.
As a business blogger, dealing with that specter can be daunting. How do you make your posts, articles, and ebooks stand out from the pack of content covering the same subjects and answering the same questions? This becomes even more challenging if the topics you are writing about are practical or mundane. Here are five points to consider:
1. Check your enthusiasm. How much do you enjoy the subject you are writing about? When business bloggers are passionate about the topic they are covering, it comes through in the writing, and enthusiasm is very contagious much like the smile on your friend’s face has the power to pick you up when you’re down and even elicit a grin in return.
If you find that your level of enjoyment is a bit low then either take a break (it could be that you’re just burnt out), look for ways to make it more enjoyable by altering the topic or the angle, or bring in another writer.
2. Go a step further. Before you start writing on a topic that you know has been covered by others, take a look at what already exists. Do a search on Google, go to some competing websites, read what’s there and find a way to make your articles and posts even better. Make them more thorough, more witty, more practical, more easy-to-follow, or more to the point.
3. Put a face on the topic. Adding personal accounts to your writing not only makes it more interesting, but gives the reader context, makes it three dimensional and relatable, and leaves the reader with an easier way to grasp and retain the messages you are trying to convey. These personal accounts can be stories that actually happened to you or someone you know.
4. Change the angle. You can write about ordinary topics and make them interesting simply by putting a twist on them. Some examples: an article about interviewing best practices entitled, “How to Stop Hiring Losers,” or a post about how to sell to your business, entitled, “Why No One Will Buy Your Company.”
You could also choose unusual sources of inspiration, such as “What Business Owners Can Learn from Harry Potter.” But make sure you don’t just rely on a catchy title, try your best to follow it up with some good content.
5. Get to know your readers. Just as business owners have to conduct market research to be in touch with consumer trends and attitudes, so too if you are blogging for your business you need to look to your readers to determine what content to produce. To help you with this process, you should try to build up an online community among your readership by creating an email list so you can send updates and other bits of information. Additionally, make a concerted effort to get to know your readers and thoughtfully respond to their comments. Your content will then become more interesting to your readers not only because they can get a sense of the person behind the words, but also because they will be more invested in what you have to say.
In short, a few little touches here and there can make all the difference to your business writing. With a little care, you can turn the ordinary into the extra-ordinary.
About Adam Gottlieb
Twitter: prabhatrayal
says:
hello adam
really inspiring post. you have to write quality content continuously and then only you can get huge success
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Twitter: sakthisudhanv
says:
I have a blog and I used to update it only once per week. But when I start it, I used to publish article on alternative days. I need to try in some other angle as said by Adam.
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Very good useful post. I totally agreed your post. Really i believe blogging is an passionate to all bloggers. I hope everyone should get some good points on this post.
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Twitter: itkitab4u
says:
Great post Adam, you’re right there are a lot of stuff out there that has been truly exhausted. The points you covered are crucial and I’d like to add that what ever you do, you should always work towards leaving a lasting impression on your readers with every post. If you readers can go away having enjoyed what they’ve read from a different perspective then they’ll come back. Offering them something they can take immediate action with is also important in my mind.
Twitter: Ajayudayagiri
says:
Making business blogging is quiet easy if we implement the tips mentioned above
Thanks for sharing
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Yes it sounds good from this informative words. There are lot many ideas in the present market where you can able to reach your goals. It better to depend on the guest posting for more traffic and back links. Nowadays to create a blog in business is quite simple but to make it standard is somehow difficult with the competitors. Nice information
Thanks to Adam and You also
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hi , the post is really informative . Great share .
I learnt many things from this article.
thanks for sharing
Twitter: BloggersGeek
says:
Hey Adam Gottlieb,
I agree, if we will make our content’s headline and content itself unique and enthralling then we will get to see our visitors increasing day by day. Spending so much time with PC is quite off beam. We should spend only some selected hours for our work so that we may do best. If we did hard work more then enough then we would surely burn out and this thing wont be good for our own blog. Keeping balance is also an art of doing work.
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I think changing the angle can really help in grabbing the eyeballs, thanks for this wonderful post.
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I’m glad you put enthusiasm as number 1; I often find I need to take a rest for particularly subjects, because no matter how interested you are in them, it can usually drag if you focus too much energy into it.
Twitter: vanmarciano
says:
Great post Adam, you’re right there are a lot of stuff out there that has been truly exhausted. The points you covered are crucial and I’d like to add that what ever you do, you should always work towards leaving a lasting impression on your readers with every post. If you readers can go away having enjoyed what they’ve read from a different perspective then they’ll come back. Offering them something they can take immediate action with is also important in my mind.
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
I don’t know if *every* post or article has to dazzle, amaze, or impress. It’s more about consistently seeking to create value for your readers. Sometimes that value will come through in a short post that took only a few minutes to write; other times it may come through in a piece that took significant time and effort to complete. But if you keep this goal of value creation in mind, and you strive to live up to it, then you’ll do fine as a blogger.
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Twitter: 360tipsblog
says:
Hmmm….Awesome tips ..Thanks for sharing
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Hey,
Thanks for the valuable tips and links.
To be honest I don’t know too much about this!!!
Regards,
Mohammad
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Twitter: bihar
says:
What is happening in the bogging business is that I am seeing the same stuff again and again on many blogs. What is required is a different approach and angle and a unique way of putting the concepts across. Bloggers needs to go a step further if they want to succeed in blogging.
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
So. Very. True.
There’s just too much content out there, and a lot of it is watered down, superficial, and/or inaccurate.
I believe there will be a backlash; it’s already starting to happen. Bloggers just need to keep in mind that any content they produce should be genuine, informative, or useful in some way. It’s good to do a search before writing a post on a given topic to see what has already been written.
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Hi Adam! Thanks for the enlightening read, social engagement is a very critical part of promoting your business and cultivating potential leads at the same time. It’s true when you mentioned that the competition online is extremely tough so one must be able to stand out to make a lasting impression.
Twitter: trafficgrand
says:
Adam I agree strongly with your point on titles they are the primary area where everyone has to work to improve their click through and keep the readers curious. If you are a blogger then this is a sure to follow rule, do the first step right and you will get what you want.
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Hi Adam, I completely agree that we should all make an effort to double check if there are existing posts on the topic we want to write about and when confirmed, we must take the challenge of being able to tweak and give our readers the unique take they deserve. I’ve been blogging for quite some time now but I still make it a point to go back to re-learning the basics every now and then. Thanks!
Twitter: DrewryNewsNtwrk
says:
Business blogging extraordinare.How nice :-)
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Twitter: antiaging_today
says:
This is actually all good advice. One way I find of making my content stand out from the rest is to use humor. People enjoy reading more if it makes them laugh!
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
If you have this talent, then definitely use it! If people feel good and uplifted after reading your content then they will be more likely to share it with others and return for more.
Twitter: GlynisJolly1
says:
Put a face on the topic: It wasn’t long ago that I was told NOT to talk about myself if possible. I’ve been having problems with this because most of my knowledge about my topics are from personal experience. What is worse is since I’ve tried to leave myself out of my writing, the traffic to my blog has gone down. Definitely put a face on your topic!
Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
In your case, it is appropriate and will help your writing. Not everyone can be as open, however, for an assortment of reasons. But even for the people who have to take themselves out, it is still possible to add your voice or bring personal examples in an indirect way that don’t reveal private or irrelevant information.
You are right. Putting a simple twist on existing articles can offer a fresh insight and a different angle on topics I or others have already published. It was a big insight for me.
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
Yeah, who says you have to re-invent the wheel every time you write a post? There’s no one else in the world who can see things quite like you can, so even a well-worn topic can be reinvigorated by a fresh perspective.
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Twitter: DrewryNewsNtwrk
says:
Business blogging is always a wonderful thing, because your free thoughts released into the web universe can empower someone else to succeed, with their business efforts! :-)
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
If you blog with that attitude, try to be a genuine as possible, and value your readers, then why not?
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Twitter: DrewryNewsNtwrk
says:
this is very true :-)
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I think getting to know your readers is the key here, most people aren’t even writing for readers any more just the search engines. Getting to know them is like an alien concept to most!
Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
A hundred percent… but usually the people who are writing exclusively for the search engines won’t have regular readers to get to know.
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Twitter: blogginginsight
says:
Great points Adam,
I think having all these points in mind is vital. As you pointed out, one has to be enthusiastic about what they’re writing. But that’s obviously not enough. Getting to know your readers and going that further step is just as important.
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
I think of it like a face to face conversation. *Any* topic can become interesting and engaging if the people involved enjoy the topic and are on the same page.
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Twitter: bbt0786
says:
I think in blogging firstly Impression of post works very well then other things. there should be a bond between readers and bloggers.if they are combining with a flow then is good for both.
A blogger should be solidly strong on the points of posts and serve what people want.
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
The point about a blogger being knowledgeable and “strong” on the topics he or she is writing about is also extremely important. Don’t try to be something that you are not; most people can pretty easily spot a faker.
Adam Gottlieb recently posted..How to Increase the Alexa Rank of Your Business Blog and Why You Should Care
Twitter: ikenedu
says:
Blogs aboy daily issues and relationship blogs will work better than any other blogs.
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Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
No, there are a saturation of blogs about daily issues and relationships. Success depends on the angle these blogs have and the writer’s ability to connect to the emotions of his or her readers.
Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
Yes… and no. As much as it is important to find out what your readers would like to see, if *you* yourself are not comfortable and passionate about those topics, it will come through to your readers. It won’t do your blog any good.
First, you have to be in touch with yourself to see what kind of content and which topics you can produce, and *then* turn to your readers for suggestions.
I think the most important point is to know your won readers and write what they want to hear. This is the major point in blogging.
Twitter: frugalentrepren
says:
Yes… and no. As much as it is important to find out what your readers would like to see, if *you* yourself are not comfortable and passionate about those topics, it will come through to your readers. It won’t do your blog any good.
First, you have to be in touch with yourself to see what kind of content and which topics you can produce, and *then* turn to your readers for suggestions.
Twitter: zaccshegzy
says:
First, you have to be in touch with yourself to see what kind of content and which topics you can produce, and *then* turn to your readers for suggestions.
Yes, I really like that tip, that’s the point, thanks for this amazing tips.
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