Note: As we continue this series, some may want to get started asap. If so, I recommend getting started with BigScoots.
Welcome back to our series on five steps to creating a winning $25k blog.
Now that we’ve got our site up and running, it’s time to begin writing.
While many think this is the “easy” part, the hard work has just begun.
I’m Not Ernest Hemingway
It’s a bit ironic that I’m writing a post on how to create awesome content because I don’t consider myself to be a great writer.
Sure, I hit a home run now and then, but generally I would say my writing is simply “ok”.
That said, I do own Rockstar Finance and review TONS of posts each week (around 1,500) searching for the best of the best.
So I can recognize greatness in others when I see it. It’s this experience I will draw upon for this post. Plus I’ll ask a few friends to chime in and I’ll link to some great articles on how to write well. With all that at your disposal, I’m fairly confident this post will deliver on the premise.
Two Sides of Writing
While we’re going to cover how to “develop awesome, sharable content,” that’s really just one part of blog writing.
There’s a whole other side of content creation that deals with the practical side of things.
Let’s look at these before we get to the writing part…
Content Decisions to Be Made
Before you begin posting your awesome content, there are several content-related decisions to be made:
- What topics will you write about? And the opposite of that: what topics won’t you write about? For example, I cover “what’s worked for me and how others can implement those successes in their lives.” (This is from my summary statement which we discussed earlier in this series.) As such, I talk about growing your career, saving early and often, and investing in real estate because these are “what have worked for me.” I happen to have good insights into them because I have lived them. Conversely, I do not write about cryptocurrencies because I know little on the subject, have no interest in learning about them, and they seem quite speculative to me. That’s what I focus on and what I avoid. Now you need to decide what you will and won’t write about.
- What tone and style will you use? Will you be casual or formal? Will you be the yell-in-your-face football coach or the it’s-going-to-be-alright mom? Will you be funny or serious? I decided from the start that I would write as if my reader was in the room and I was chatting with him — what I would say in person is what I would write, in the same tone and style. I write as if I’m having a conversation with a friend. How will you write?
- How long will the posts be? In the olden days, there seemed to be an advantage with the search engines to writing as much as possible. This favored shorter but multiple posts. Much of my first blogs’ success was built on this formula. However it seems these days that Google appears to like longer posts (at least 1,000 words) and the longer/more detailed, the better. This is why my posts here are usually at least 1,000 words and more often 2,000 or more. That doesn’t mean it’s right for you, of course. But you do need to decide on a general format and length that you think works for you.
- How often will you post? My advice: set a schedule you can commit to otherwise you’ll confuse and ultimately lose readers. If you tell readers you’ll post twice a week, do it. If three times a week, do it. But it’s much better to promise to post once a week and keep that commitment than to promise to do three times per week and miss it often (or even now and then). Commit to doing whatever you decide.
- What days and at what times will you post? This follows from the previous question — how will post frequency be implemented within days? In general, Mondays and Tuesdays are the most popular days for reading, so whatever your schedule you’ll want to include at least one of those. As for times, I think posting early in the morning before most people are up is good, but that’s simply my personal opinion. I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and my readers know those are firm days for me. I have also said I will post on Saturdays when I have something “extra” to cover like this series.
- How will you make sure your basic writing skills are good? It should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: you need to cover the fundamentals of writing like using good grammar, making sure everything is spelled correctly, using the appropriate punctuation, and so forth. I spell check all my posts before loading them into WordPress. I also write/read a post several times while creating it. I don’t catch everything that’s for sure, but it’s much better than if I simply typed my thoughts into WordPress and hit “publish.”
- What rules will you break in writing? You need to use good grammar of course, but blogging isn’t your eighth grade English class, so feel free to use a bit of your own style even if it’s not always technically correct. For example, I often use dashes to connect two thoughts — I like them because they break things up a bit (see what I did there?) Is it technically correct to use dashes or could I have written it better/differently? Truly, I don’t care. I like it. And since it matches the way I would talk, I do it. I also use a lot of parentheses (see above for an example) too. 😉 So don’t feel like you’re locked into some sort of style guide when you write — unless that’s your thing, of course. As long as it helps the reader understand what you mean, feel free in your use of the language.
- Is there a plan to launch your site with several posts? If not, there should be. You will want to write a handful of posts in advance to pre-seed your site before you officially launch it. (BTW, I’m NOT talking about the administrative posts like “about” and “contact” but normal posts that you simply write before the blog gets announced to the world.) By doing this, your site looks much more developed once you start marketing your stuff. After all, you don’t want readers to visit a site with only one or two posts because it looks amateurish. I started with a couple themes to pre-seed this site: 1) why I was starting another money blog and 2) specifics on the key philosophies of the site (earning, saving, and investing.)
- Where will you get your inspiration? At least part of your inspiration needs to come from yourself — your interests and your life. If you do not have this it’s likely you will not be able to stick it out because you don’t live/enjoy the subject matter. In addition to your own life, here are some places you can get inspiration: mainstream money websites, financial books, magazines (the few still out there), and money blogs (of course). I keep a spreadsheet list of ideas and refer to them from time to time when I need a good idea.
- How will you plan and track your content? You need at least a basic plan for what you will write about and when. And you certainly need a way to track it all. I have a spreadsheet that lists dates, times, and potential topics for two to three months out (I pick the topics based on what I’m doing, times of year, etc.) Once I write a post and schedule it in WordPress, I make a note that it’s complete and move on to the next article. You don’t have to go overboard here, but you will want to think about your publishing schedule and at least have a rudimentary way of tracking it.
There are probably some more tasks that I’ve forgotten to list, but I’m sure others will remind me in the comments.
Why Awesome, Shareable Content?
As we transition from the administrative writing issues into the content itself, let’s begin by reviewing some reasons we’d want to strive for awesome, shareable content. It may seem like the answers are obvious, but I don’t want to assume that.
By the way, one of those leads to the other. If your content is awesome, it will probably be shared. And the more people like it, the more they will share it.
So the goal here is to create content so amazing that people 1) love it and 2) want to share it with those they know.
Here are just a few reasons you want awesome, shareable content:
- It’s loved by readers. The readers then love the blogger as well and bloggers who are loved by readers succeed. When readers enjoy posts they become long time readers (versus casual visitors) and help a blog tremendously.
- It’s shared by readers — and the readers those readers share with — and thus grows traffic.
- It’s shared by other bloggers which generates links. These then help with SEO — which leads to traffic.
- It gets featured on bigger sites which, as you guessed it, leads to traffic.
- It opens the doors to guest posting. Having awesome content makes larger blogs comfortable in trusting you with a guest post slot. They know that you write well which alleviates a main concern when a smaller/newer blog asks to guest post.
- It’s loved by Google. Posts that get a lot of links/attention are generally loved by Google (though this can vary based on subject matter.)
In other words, having awesome content helps to solve one of bloggers’ most common problems: how to get more traffic.
As such, working to create the best content possible is worth the time and effort.
Developing Awesome, Shareable Content
Of course what makes for “great” content is highly subjective — it’s like what makes for a great movie, song, piece of art, or book — one person’s diamond is another person’s lump of coal.
However, most people can at least agree on some generalities that contribute to great content.
I have my own thoughts, of course, but I have combined those with suggestions from other bloggers. I asked my Twitter blogging friends to describe what makes great content in a handful of words. Here’s what they came up with (as well as my thoughts).
Great content (is):
- Unique/original
- Tells a story
- Inspiring
- Positive
- Educates
- Authentic
- Adds value to the reader’s life
- Applicable
- Thought-provoking
- Fun and refreshing
- Relatable
- Vulnerable
- Enlightening
- Actionable
- Passionate
- Interesting
- Informative
- Reflects an obvious effort to make good quality
- Engaging
- Has great takeaways
- Includes beautiful images
- Helpful
- Truthful
- Real and honest
- Habit changing
- Contains good writing and exciting word choices
- Enjoyable
- Experience-based
- Has high reader engagement
- Entertaining
- Useful
- Easy to read
Obviously some of these overlap and mean pretty much the same thing as others. Plus this is not a comprehensive list by any means. That said, it’s enough to convey the idea.
As you can see, great content can be many things but ultimately it comes down to the fact that it’s simply special in some way.
Any one post can’t contain everything in the list above, but the more you have of the above in an article, the more likely it is to be considered awesome content.
At Rockstar Finance, we have our own spin on what makes for great content. We detailed this in How to Write Rockstar Content. It includes many of the descriptions above.
If you’d like a bit more guidance in the sometimes-elusive quest for great content, here are writing-related articles from some trusted online sources:
- How to Write Great Blog Content
- 11 Smart Tips for Brilliant Writing
- Stop Forcing It and Focus on the Story
- How to Be a Good Writer
- The Six Best Tips From ‘On Writing Well’
Are You Committed to It?
As you might be able to tell, creating great content isn’t a cakewalk.
It requires:
- Time
- Effort
- Creativity
- Skill
- Luck
And much more…it’s hard work! And though you put in all the above, the piece might still fall flat. Unfortunately that’s the nature of the beast.
You won’t hit the mark every time, but if you strive for it consistently, you will do well overall.
And as your content gets better and better, you’ll see your traffic and site blossom in all sorts of ways.
So let me end with this question: What sort of effort will you put in to make your content great?
I’m sure many people have some thoughts on this subject. Please leave me your take in the comments below.
For the next post in this series, check out Five Steps to Creating a Winning $25k Blog, Step 4: Drive Traffic, Part 1.
Tom @ Dividends Diversify says
ESI,
Having traveled the road to financial independence, I try to share my story in some way in every post. Many of the posts are analysis of specific dividend stocks that help guide my investment decisions and portfolio construction. I want my readers to benefit from that research work and my experience. Other posts are financial independence and personal finance related. I do my best to wrap a relate-able personal story into the post to entertain or amuse. Tom
Ms ZiYou says
Awesome content as always, and a few of the points have really got me thinking as a newbie blogger. I always love topics that are a bit controversial, but they are the least popular articles on my site. So I’m struggling with the desire to remain authentic and write what I really want to write, verses writing what people love to read. Dilemna.
The Physician Philosopher says
Spot on.
What I do personally for blog content ideas is use Google Keep (an app). Anytime I read a post, book, or come up with a random idea for a post based on whatever…. I write it in my Google Keep app under one of the four main topic areas for my blog posts. I always try to stay two to three weeks ahead of my post schedule (also do Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
I’ve found if I don’t have an immediate way to write my idea down I’ll forget it later. I always have a good thirty or forty ideas in my list of potential topics. Some I start writing and realize it won’t pan out… Most of the time it generates a good post worth publishing.
I also read through my posts multiple times and then one final time the night before it publishes (with the help of my wife if she is around to get another opinion).
This routine and way of keeping the ideas coming has worked for me.
Good stuff, ESI.
The Physician Philosopher says
P.s. I love the nod towards Descartes’ “Cogito, ergo sum.”
The philosophy nerd in me appreciated that.
Dave says
Great post on writing. Writing is hard. Hemingway even said that writing is hard work. Like any craft, it takes practice and more practice. Thanks for sharing about your writing process. It was insightful.
Mark says
You and financial Samurai have inspired me. Now here is my status I am also at the 95th percentile in net worth but own no Real Estate except my primary residence, and living in the Bay Area the price has gone through the stratosphere. We might purchase some Real Estate.
Now, my wife will retire next year. I had to retire in my late 40s because of a rare progressive neurological disorder since the age of 14 . I have two degrees in Accounting and Finance.
So, I want my blog to focus on two things the ability to attain wealth even with a disability. I thought Monday’s and Wednesday’s would be devoted on more of the financial aspect and Friday’s devoted on disability (ie: SSDI which I have become somewhat of an expert)
Searching for a domain name was not easy. Then I see one available oh yeah that sounds good for The Retirement Spot. Yes all set following Financial Samurai’s plan of attack for setting up my blog. Blog is about 75% ready.
Then I run across your site. Thanks for all the detailed info. You say don’t put in the for your domain name WHAT? Grrrr I already did.
So what are your thoughts on both my idea of the blog and having The in the domain main Grrrr
ESI says
It’s not a killer to have “the” in there. just not preferred.
The Retirement Spot is fine. In fact, in this instance it might work better than Retirement Spot (since it’s a place).
In most cases it’s better not to have it (i.e. Financial Samurai versus The Financial Samurai).
Mark says
Aw thanks for the info. Now I am relieved.
The Physician Philosopher says
The alternative is to buy both domains. For instance, if you type in thephysicianphilosopher.com or physicianphilosoper.com both will take you to my website.
I, unfortunately, did not think about the “the”” at the beginning when I started… hindsight is 20/20.
Leave “the” out if you want, but if it must be in there just buy both domains.
The Physician Philosopher says
I lied… it has to be http://www.physicianphilosopher.com haha.
Oh, well. 🙂
Lily from The Rich Miser says
Hi John,
For me the answer is anything it takes; –kind of like a do or die approach…well, within reason. 🙂
I think striving for awesome shareable content is something every blogger desires. It’s not easy though, and I’m not saying I’m there; but I think there’s also a more personal level to it and a matter of realizing what works specifically for each person. I think a big part of it is staying motivated to add that spark of creativity and quirkiness to elevate great content to a level of awesomeness. I’ll make sure to read the linked articles in my quest for my elusive creative genius!
Great post!
Dr. Networth says
Thanks for the great tips ESI!
I was posting randomly whenever I finished a post, but your suggestion to set a schedule in order to not confuse readers makes sense.
Love your Millionaire Interviews, like everyone else. Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve used that idea for my Investment Stories series on my blog, featuring real life passive real estate investment deals.
Keep up the great work!
DN
Ms. FI-ology says
Once again, your post is extremely helpful. I love the bullet points of great content and that they came from you and other bloggers. I had not yet thought of how I would track my content so thanks for helping me set things up for success!
Laurie@ThreeYear says
I’ve found that my best posts come from topics that I’m especially fired up or emotional about. The bones of good writing come from having read a lot and having written a lot. I agree that posts with personal stories are always my favorites because they’re so relatable. Looking forward to checking out the writing articles you linked!
My Sons Father says
Really good stuff! I’ve discovered that even after a year of blogging I am still experimenting with my “voice”.
I’ve also discovered that I am a terrible writer, and a much better re-writer. While I hate the editing process, the results are definitely worth the efforts.
While I enjoy the content creation process the most, you are right to say that it isn’t the easy part. In fact, I’m still trying to find the easy part of blogging.
The Poor Swiss says
Great post! I agree that writing is hard, but you don’t have to be Hemingway to have a successful blog. Even though it’s not easy, blogging is easier than writing a novel and allows for more liberty in writing. I also agree that the key to success in blogging is to post things that your readers will share themselves, increasing the audience naturally! But again, this is not an easy task.
timeinthemarket says
I think a lot of it comes to consistently churning out quality content as you said and then just giving it time. As with most things in life, it takes a while to build up a following and get things rolling.