Getting Creative With Your Content

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1. Anthony Lawrence says:

   February 13, 2008 at 5:52 pm

   “Top 13.2″

   Hmmm.. I like it, but would like to see other possibilities..

   Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..10 things I don’t like about my Mac by Anthony Lawrence
2. James says:

   February 13, 2008 at 5:54 pm

   @ Nez – That’s a friggin’ hilarious idea! What’s even worse is that I’m sitting here contemplating the potential of that. I mean, think about it… a secret meme, spreading slowly… See, the challenge would be to insert the secret code into the content somehow… and moving as a secret pack… like spies. Spies, creeping through the blogosphere’s shadows, unnoticed, unannounced… spreading like a virus…

   There is a good idea at the depths of this. I’m certain.
3. Harry says:

   February 13, 2008 at 5:55 pm

   @Nez: You know, I never expect this topic to take some of the turns it did. Each time I read a new comment I’m laughing my ass off (not crying though, seriously, got a speck of dust in my eyes…).

   *points at Nez’s comment* Look James, there’s our new tagline “Cuties, But No Cooties!”

   Or not. Getting up early is making me punchy. Where’s John?
4. Harry says:

   February 13, 2008 at 5:56 pm

   But what would a .2 tip look like? Would it fade off like Invisiblog?
5. Anthony Lawrence says:

   February 13, 2008 at 6:11 pm

   OKey dokey:

   http://aplawrence.com/cgi-bin/comingsoon.pl

   Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..10 things I don’t like about my Mac by Anthony Lawrence
6. Nez says:

   February 13, 2008 at 6:31 pm

   @ Harry: Don’t let the decimal point fool you. 0.2 is a fifth, so if you’re tip is ten words long, just write only two words, and we have to guess the rest.

   Nez’s last blog post..We are Creatures of Habit
7. Anthony Lawrence says:

   February 13, 2008 at 7:39 pm

   Ok. I have made a “13.2″ post. I stopped the presses, pulled my expected post, and put this in its place.

   The conspiracy begins.. I don’t know if FB has updated yet, so it may not show here as my “last blog post” but trust me: “13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media” is live and kicking.

   You don’t need to read it. It’s just a grumpy old geek grousing about the hoi polloi and their illiterate ways.. it’s enough to know that I used the “13.2″..

   Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..10 things I don’t like about my Mac by Anthony Lawrence
8. James says:

   February 13, 2008 at 7:48 pm

   I cannot believe that the last person I would’ve thought to actually get into something like this was actually the first person to do so. That is so funny.

   The post was actually very interesting, Anthony. I’m thinking it over, which is generally a mark of… hm, well, that something’s brewing.

   @ Nez – I reserve the right to insert either 13.2 or MP5C in my content or comments instead of post titles. I have a Cosmo-headline career on the line…
9. Anthony Lawrence says:

   February 13, 2008 at 7:52 pm

   Ahh, James: I think that I must grok you more than you grok me.. I’m *exactly* the kind of person to embrace this.. I intend to use it often..

   Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
10. James says:

    February 13, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    I think it’s because we tend to choose opposite sides of the fence many times (albeit, I think we both do that by choice) so I’ve started to perceive you as the person who’ll do the opposite of what I would
11. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 13, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    “I think it’s because we tend to choose opposite sides of the fence many times (albeit, I think we both do that by choice)”

    No, grasshopper. You may sometimes choose sides, but sides choose me.

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
12. Skellie says:

    February 13, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Hi everyone,

    James has asked me to share my thoughts on the topic here. I’ll start by clearing up one point where I think my writing has been unfairly portrayed:

    Anthony Lawrence’s comment:

    “For example, Skellie’s post that hurts my teeth. Nothing really wrong with it, and she’s right in everything she says, but the big takeaway is right at the end:

    “Befriend active StumbleUpon users and stumble and review some of their content if they have a blog or website. Active users command more traffic and they’re more likely to repay the favor because they’re Stumbling all the time anyway!”

    In other words, it’s really not about exceptional content, it’s about tit for tat: I’ll vote for your “ok” posts and you’ll vote for mine. And THAT is why the blogosphere of today is filled with mediocrity and repetition. It isn’t about truly organic links where I’m writing a piece about how social media distorts reality and I link to this; no it’s about doing reciprocal “favors”.

    THAT’S why we are disgusted!”

    / comment.

    The “big take-away point” is actually number 6 in a list of 8 extra, strategic tips. Two sentences in a post that’s over 1,000 words, 95% of which relate to writing outstanding content that will be voted for on its merits — the other 5% is about making connections with other SU users and being active in the community.

    Yet, somehow, that amounts to saying that, ultimately, content is unimportant?

    I also never suggested that you vote for and receive votes for “OK” content.

    If over-done headlines are boring, the flawed but common argumentative device of “repeat a simplified and skewed version of what someone else has said and argue against that version, rather than the real thing” is even more tiring. I do respect and like you, Anthony, and I think we agree on quite a few things, but lately I think you’ve made a couple of rather large logical fallacies (the “straw man” fallacy in this case, and confusing association with causation in the ‘design is not important’ argument).

    As for the tip itself, I can’t understand why the thought of befriending an active SU user you like, voting up their outstanding content and perhaps making a connection that will turn them into a reader of your blog is such a disgusting thought? God forbid we actually give before we get, or co-operate with other people.

    My general response to the debate would be: the A-listers can’t please everyone. That’s impossible. A lot of people here seem to fall into the ‘un-pleased’ camp, but judging by the success of the A-list (a group I don’t actually yet consider myself to be a part of — there are 2,400 blogs bigger than mine), most people do respond well to particular styles of content, particular ideas and particular styles of headlines. One of the reasons certain models are so popular is because they work, and I can attest to that from my own experiences writing content for A-list blogs.

    My suggestion would be to create the reality you want. Instead of unleashing disdain for the A-listers of the world, read blogs you actually do like and write the kind of content you’d like to see. A few of the most active commenters here on this thread could have diverted the same effort into writing a post that more accurately reflects how they want blogging to be. I think leading by example is more fruitful than outpouring bitterness about the way some people do things — and that goes for a lot of debates, not just this one in particular.

    Anyway, sorry this comment is so long. I thought I’d say everything I want to say at once rather than making multiple trips back here. Thanks again to James for inviting me to share my thoughts .

    Skellie’s last blog post..Cream of the Crop: Six Cutting-Edge, Minimalist Wordpress Themes
13. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 13, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Skellie – you have completely misunderstood. I am NOT disparaging your post. Your post simply reflects reality: you have accurately explained what is required to be popular in SU.

    Nor am I complaining about A-list bloggers., though I do think many are becoming boring and repetitious.

    I AM complaining about what you insist doesn’t exist: voting up mediocre content. I stand by my opinion: perhaps YOU wouldn’t do that, but plenty of others would and the results show it. StumbleUpon et al. do NOT work.

    You say you “can’t understand why the thought of befriending an active SU user you like, voting up their outstanding content and perhaps making a connection that will turn them into a reader of your blog is such a disgusting thought”.

    You don’t need to “befriend” someone who has outstanding content. I’ve had some content Stumbled and was never approached for reciprocal favors and would have rejected any such approach had it been made. Likewise I have voted up posts I thought were exceptional and would never dream of approaching the author with any such suggestion. In my world, that’s unpleasant and undesirable behavior.

    The system smells bad. Too much C-list content is being brought into prominence. You are wrong, and that’s all there is to it.

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
14. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 13, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    Oh, and by the way Skellie: Thank you for not bringing your comments to my post.
    Your presence in my comments could attract the attention of readers I’d prefer not to have, so I appreciate your keeping this here.

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
15. James says:

    February 13, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    @ Skellie – Wow, you really make your comments count! It’s a pleasure to have your views, and thank you, because you gave me something to think about. I believe I try to lead by example, but I do use my thoughts as reasons for change and introductions as to how I want to change or as fodder to give others reason to change – like I did with this post. I hope I don’t come off as bitter, as that’s not my intention.

    I can’t deny that A-listers didn’t get where they are by luck. They wouldn’t have stayed large and popular if luck or chance was all it took. Yes, they use what works, and they make it work very, very well. Case in point, Dosh Dosh, Copyblogger, Yaro’s blog…

    I think the issue though, is that times are changing. People are changing, too. As you mentioned in your post tonight about the overdone sales tactics that people have become immune to, so are people becoming immune to many areas of blogging that masses of people simply bang out without thought.

    The opportunity to provoke change is all right there at our fingertips. I feel the sense that the online world is rumbling around like unstable volcanos, and it’s just a question of time of what changes will come – and what growth will occur after the land evolves.

    As I mentioned in my post, we’re at a Crossroads, and we can all choose our path to achieve our goals.

    Regarding your blog – in my mind, A-lister does not mean big numbers. A-lister means that blog or that person that commands respect – as you do.

    Thanks very much for dropping by, and I hope to see you again.
16. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 13, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    @james:

    “I scroll through my feed reader, my attention dulled by the similar headlines. They’re carbon-copy titles that make a desperate attempt to grasp my attention. Some – very few – do. But I’m often quickly disappointed. The headline may be mildly intriguing, but the content of the first paragraph is just the same old stuff. Nothing new, nothing entertaining, nothing interesting.”

    And too many of them are voted up in social media.. again and again.

    I’m sorry: I know this isn’t going to be a popular sentiment, but it’s the truth. SU does not enchant me. Neither does Digg, Slashdot or any of them.

    That DOESN’T mean there isn’t good stuff posted. It doesn’t mean there is less good stuff than there used to be. It doesn’t mean that somebody with a lot of Stumbled pages doesn’t actually have a few gems with in them.

    And it doesn’t mean that Skellie, you or Joe P. Blow doesn’t think carefully about their votes and promote content that actually is superlative. But it is obvious that a lot of people are trading favors and voting up content that never should be.

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
17. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 13, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    @skellie:

    Just to make this perfectly plain:

    “I also never suggested that you vote for and receive votes for “OK” content.”

    And I never said that you did.

    However, even if you had stressed that only truly valuable content should be voted up, the fact remains that people are voting for low value content.

    Sheesh, all you have to do is hit your Stumble button to see that. Or visit Digg or Slashdot or wherever – it’s all gone downhill.

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
18. James says:

    February 13, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    @ Anthony – Then you have to pick on that and take a stance on that: that people are trading favors and voting up poor content. Generalizing all voting and making sweeping statements about all involvement with certain types of social media isn’t the right way to view things, I think. There are many facets to the situation, and exploring what they are and then posting about what is wrong – specifically – and leading change would be the proper way to go, I would think.

    You see, in my post, I complain, yes – but I also show readers there is a different way to do things. I’m not saying refute it all (I hope). I’m not saying choose the high road. Every road leads to others and a journey is not always in a straight line.

    What I do not like is sheepism, with everyone following one rule claimed by one person. I do like people taking the good and leaving the bad and *making it their own*. Being different, standing out, finding new ways.

    Push the Internet’s limits, dammit. Don’t just ride the waves.
19. James says:

    February 13, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    @ Anthony – I’ll note that we’re debating on two different yet related issues.
20. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 13, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    @james

    I don’t think I’m generalizing. However, I understand how you could take it that way and I do insist that GENERALLY there is a lot of “just ok” content being Thumbed Up in SU and other places.

    And I am separating myself from all that. I’ve taken all “Stumble” and “Digg this” type buttons off all of my posts because honestly I don’t want to be a part of it any more. Long term, I can’t see these getting anything but worse.

    But that’s just one grumpy old geek’s opinion. As you say, there are “many facets to the situation” and perhaps you see bright spots that I am too jaded to notice. Good for you if you do.

    I think I’ve said all I have to say. I’ve closed off comments at my post and I’m withdrawing from this now – catch you on the next provocative post!
21. Skellie says:

    February 13, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    @ Anthony:

    “I AM complaining about what you insist doesn’t exist: voting up mediocre content.”

    Firstly, I never insisted that didn’t exist. In fact, I didn’t make any statements about the quality of content people should be voting up, only that they’ll get more out of StumbleUpon if they’re active on it. I didn’t say anything about voting for either good content, or mediocre content. I don’t think that’s the kind of thing I should have to tell people. I think you’re trying to use the “straw man” again by claiming that I insisted that nobody every votes up mediocre content. It’s just not going to work.

    Secondly, “befriending” someone doesn’t mean “approaching them for reciprocal favors”. That’s an unfounded assumption you’ve made. It means befriending them. Making friends with them. I also never said anything about approaching anyone and asking for anything — in fact, I’d advise against it. Once again, the straw man appears.

    When you say that I’m wrong, what am I wrong about? My article is about writing content that StumbleUpon visitors will be inclined to vote for. You’ve said a few times that you don’t disagree with the strategies in the article. I’ve actually made no claims about the quality of StumbleUpon or the amount of mediocre content voted up vs. the amount of good content. It’s as if you’re attaching the counter-point to your own views to me, whether or not I actually hold those views.

    In regards to: “Your presence in my comments could attract the attention of readers I’d prefer not to have, so I appreciate your keeping this here.”

    While I do wish my presence alone commanded Digg-like swarms of traffic, I haven’t experienced that to be the case. My second response would be, well, you read Skelliewag — you don’t want want my presence to attract people like… you?

    Skellie’s last blog post..Cream of the Crop: Six Cutting-Edge, Minimalist Wordpress Themes
22. Brett Legree says:

    February 13, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    @ Skellie – this is the part of your comment that I liked best:

    “I think leading by example is more fruitful than outpouring bitterness about the way some people do things…”

    This is always the best way to do things, in my experience – to lead by example – and so this is what I have chosen to do. To be different, to be myself. This is why I took the opportunity to step back, to reboot, before I got too far into things.

    Thanks for your words. Your work is awesome, BTW.
23. Skellie says:

    February 13, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    @ Brett Legree: Thank you. I think James has done that with this post. It’s actually been really cool to see a meta-blogging style post which encourages genuine debate because that’s a rarity. I’m not criticisizing most meta-blogging posts — most of them aren’t designed to provoke debate — but it’s been fun to exercise the critical muscles.

    Thanks again for the kind words .

    Skellie’s last blog post..Cream of the Crop: Six Cutting-Edge, Minimalist Wordpress Themes
24. Skellie says:

    February 13, 2008 at 10:11 pm

    Woah — ‘criticisizing’? I’m sure it’s a word, somewhere .

    Skellie’s last blog post..Cream of the Crop: Six Cutting-Edge, Minimalist Wordpress Themes
25. James says:

    February 14, 2008 at 6:45 am

    If behavior, color, and labor are words spelled properly, then yes. Criticisizing exists. It’s when you’re sizing up your critics to decide whether you should leap and attack or get backup.

    And I’m glad we’re cool – thank you Come exercise any time.
26. Naomi Dunford says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    It would appear that I am very, very late for this party. It would also appear that all the shit to be talked has been talked on this topic. Therefore, I take the opportunity to talk shit on a completely different topic…

    @ James – Dude, you need to breathe about the whole Canadian/American spelling thing. Seriously. Anger makes you constipated.

    

    Naomi Dunford’s last blog post..Moral Of The Story: Violent Snuggling Edition
27. Nez says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    @Naomi: I think you mean constypayted.

    Nez’s last blog post..Love Quotes
28. Nez says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    @Naomi: I think you mean “constypayted”

    Nez’s last blog post..Love Quotes
29. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    @naomi

    My parents had a lot of books by English authors and I’ve always been an omnivorous reader, so those “extra u” words don’t look right to me without the “u”’s and I’m always surprised when my spell check doesn’t like my rendition.

    Moreover, I have my website set to GMT time so many readers assume I must be British.. and with a name like mine, and the spelling variants I’m apt to do unconsciously, who’d blame them?

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
30. Nez says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    @Naomi: You must mean “constypayted”

    Nez’s last blog post..Love Quotes
31. James says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:45 pm

    @ Naomi – Yeah, but at least I don’t have to suffer hemorrhoids like you pregnant women do!

    @ Anthony – U would be the correct spelling
32. Anthony Lawrence says:

    February 14, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    @james

    ” – U would be the correct spelling”

    Well, duh, yeah.. but I’m ambUvelant.. biwordual .. indUscriminate.. so it’s all fine with me..

    Anthony Lawrence’s last blog post..13.2 Reasons I don’t like Social Media by Anthony Lawrence
33. Mark Dykeman says:

    February 18, 2008 at 11:59 am

    Um.

    I guess everyone left.

    OK then, a quick comment:

    It’s obvious that people try to copy success, especially when they read about how successful the success was. Minds are being molded by these success stories.

    It’s also true that bloggers are competing against a growing abundance of competition and therefore anything that grabs attention may well be worth doing.

    So, in the spirit of innovation, I propose that bloggers start writing their titles backwards. So, instead of writing “Ten Sure Fire Ways to Peel a Banana Without Using Your Hands”, you would write the following:

    Sdnah Ruoy Gnisu Tuohtiw Ananab A Leep Ot Syaw Erif Erus Net

    Blog subscribers would get to see the title spelled correctly, of course, in order to get “value” from their subscription.

    Encrypted titles would be the next logical steps, followed by encrypted posts, and then…

    Excuse me, got a bit distracted. Now I’m off to find some carpentry tools and start work on my farmhouse…

    Mark Dykeman’s last blog post..Posting at the new Fast Company.com
34. James says:

    February 20, 2008 at 8:23 am

    @ Mark – We never leave. But Askimet was very prolific in its urge to scour our site yesterday… and washed a bunch of comments down the drain. Ah, technology.

    And… yes, I think you need some more coffee, my friend. I thought I had some wild-ass ideas!
35. Shane: content writer says:

    February 26, 2008 at 2:45 am

    Oh YES!!
    Thats a writers point of view, the opinion of a man who can see the art he’s nurtured and cared for being bastardized, used, abused and tainted as he watches, unable to stop the rape.
36. James says:

    February 26, 2008 at 8:28 am

    @ Shane – Actually, we’ve found that our content is treated well and respectfully. We’re not into rape.
37. Veronica Davis says:

    March 2, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    Thank you for this post! It is very true and I can relate in a way. I don’t have a feed reader, but with browsing websites and blogs, and emails I surely know what you are feeling.
38. James says:

    March 2, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    Hallo Veronica, and welcome. I strongly recommend Google Reader. You’ll never look back
39. Anne Wayman says:

    March 19, 2008 at 11:00 am

    You bet I’ll join you… thanks!

    Anne Wayman’s last blog post..Freelance Writing Jobs – 50 Writing, Blogging, Editing and Translation Jobs
40. James says:

    March 19, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Cheers, Anne. I know you care about content, and it’s good to see your support.
41. Alejandro Cabrera says:

    September 15, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    That is totally radical…I agree 100% with you.

    Very inspiring truth…and of course I will join you.

    Thanks a lot Man with pens…you are a brilliant mind.
    Alejandro Cabrera´s last blog ..Ni Siquiera Jesucristo Puede Salvarlo

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