This really is a very interesting question because many blogging experts teach the importance of great content and how that one element is paramount above all other factors when it comes to growing a website.
You’ve heard the adage ‘Content is King’ repeated often, right?
Good content is the absolute foundation for most successful blogs. Quality content makes it easier for readers to recommend it to other potential readers. Content makes blog marketing much easier because it naturally supports the processes involved in promoting a website.
Successful bloggers recommend the same thing: Create killer content and learn to market it.
What exactly is great content? And if it’s so important, how do you create it?
It’s my opinion that there are three general elements surrounding content quality.
Content Quality is Subjective
Content quality is subjective because it is tied to the knowledge or experience of both the content creator and reader.
When someone feels an article is good, it is mostly because of their own knowledge and receptiveness to the ideas presented. For a reader who may be more experienced, the same article would appear a bit more amateur.
Content Quality is Comparative
Apart from relativity, the value of an article is comparative. Your article will likely be compared to others on within the same topic. The strength of another article will make yours less attractive. That’s why it’s a good idea to offer something unique.
On the flip sides, the weakness of other articles will make yours more valuable.
Techniques and advice can sometimes be unsuitable for your niche, unless you learn how to utilize them in ways that consider your audience expectations and demands within your industry.
For celebrity gossip and entertainment niches there is more benefit in providing news via short blog posts than trying to write bait posts for Digg type audiences.
Guidelines That Determine Content Quality
Even though content quality is subjective and comparatively determined, you can still create high quality content. One way is to study the popular articles of other bloggers within your same niche. These articles provide a basic measuring tool of possible content popularity.
It’s my opinion, good content contains some of the following characteristics:
- Thought-provoking. Present new ideas or give a new look to old ideas.
- Entertaining. These posts can come in the form of text, images or video – It’s been said many times – you should be educational or entertaining.
- Breaking News. Important for the changes that impact those in the same industry or niche. Be the first to cover news and people will naturally talk about your blog.
- Comprehensive. Set the shining example. Bloggers love referencing comprehensive articles because it gives their readers a good starting point.
- Well Researched. Multiple links to related discussion on this topic are especially valuable you can insert yourself into an ongoing conversation.
- Completely Unique. The less you repeat what others say, the more you’ll stand out.
What are some of the elements by which you measure quality content? Leave your comments below.
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