- Blogging -
There is a discussion on the web of importance of original content on your blog pages vs. syndication (small excerpts from other site posts with link, there is also problem of reprinting material.) I think to understand what is what here first we should divide niche blogging into two categories based on what particular blog offer to visitors: 1.Opinions and thoughts on some Subject(s). 2. focusing on Products like cameras, cars, software etc. Here I assume that either subjects not invented or products not produced by blogger. (It is evident that problem of original content doesn’t arise if blogger is himself producing products he talking about) Main assumption I make here is that you want to attract audience.
Now having these two major blog sphere categories, let’s apply our question of Original Content. Now, when we made such division, some evident things appear on a surface.
Syndication approach in filling content on a site which is focused on some problem or discussing some subject - is dead approach in terms of attracting big audience. There are few cases when I returned to a site from which I found a link to a interesting article, unless there are a lot of original and interesting material.
Since the blogger did not invent the subject but just focusing on it, I expect him to cover subject with his original thoughts and material. If the blog is just a container of excerpts of other authors articles with links then this blog looks like incomplete collection of links on subject. And I better google for subject next time.
On the other hand, when the subject is a product (cameras, phones, gadgets etc.) then syndication approach may work to some extent. You call your site “Bla-Bla-review blogâ€, you put some information on a product (I don’t think that product manufacturer will sue blogger for reprinting specifications of a product?) and make short excerpt with a link to product review article (that is what one Australian professional blogger does for living from his home). Add search engines love of blogs, some time (do not forget to post regularly new products information), mix content with ads and you may at least cover your hosting expenses.
With this kind of blog you get a lot of visitors going to buy a product and searching the net for reviews and opinions on this product. You will not get a lot of coming back visitors, but a lot of visits through search engines.
Sure, I simplified the question and there are blogs focused on interests and alike and many just don’t care. But basically, when your primary goal is to attract visitors then you should consider this issue. These were just my thoughts.
Hi,
I am the co-founder of an online service that provides webmasters and bloggers with real time news and online content to add to their site or blog. I find your post very interesting and I share most of your thoughts. I would just add that bloggers like any other site owners shall focus on providing their readers with the best online experience. Obviously they must focus on delivering original content to their audience but they can also improve their user experience by adding links to related stories on major newspapers or other blogs. A bit like Yahoo News does when it allows users to search for news published by mainstream media as well as blogs. So if syndicating content from other sites makes your readers visit your blogs more often and increase your traffic, why not do it?
Yes, I think my verdict of “Dead Approach” is too hard.
Greeting. Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinctions. No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against good wit.
I am from Nepal and learning to write in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Then we held it up and used the nail gun to attach it around the mirror.”
Hi all. If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.
I am from Guyana and learning to write in English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Since precision is often key in rts games, the qck would be great for any avid rts player or even an fps player.”
THX :o, Orleans.
Good Day. If you refuse to be made straight when you are green, you will not be made straight when you are dry.
I am from Jordan and now study English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “Roxanne orgill in her war shout, murder, differ!”
Thank
Irene.
Hello. As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it.
I am from Emirates and learning to speak English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Jamie is a 19 television direct night society line merchandising who has also compared her episode and it’s room for a storyline.”
With respect 8-), Judith.