- Write something useful
- Write something unique
- Write something newsworthy
- Write something first
- Write something that makes those who read it smarter
- Write something controversial
- Write something insightful
- Write something that taps into a fear people have
- Write something that helps people achieve
- Write something that elicit a response
- Write something that gives a sense of belonging
- Write something passionately
- Write something that interprets or translates news for people
- Write something inspirational
- Write something that tells a story
- Write something that solves a problem
- Write something that gets a laugh
- Write something that saves people time or money
- Write something opinionated
- Write something that is a resource
- Write something about something ‘cool‘
Looks like everything has been covered in this list here. :)
What I have found is that useful isn’t always compelling. From consumer advocate to computer usage, I had to kill those individual efforts because the traffic was a dead stagnation of a trickle. I dropped them after almost 2 years of effort.
It’s more the sensational gossipy crap that seems to catch on, or anything started, created or referenced by Darren (as one example) that does catch on.
If you don’t have a foothold in the SEO world, you are spinning your wheels.
It’s interesting that 3 of the items on the list (fear, belonging, story) are 3 chapters in my latest book on the unconscious. I’ve connected unconscious drivers to web design, but haven’t thought about it specifically for blogging. I may have to give that some more thought!
Wow! Unbelievably short. Almost doesn’t fit your style of writing.
I was sure you would expand upon each one farther.
It’s a simple post alright. Not bad! Could be just a little more detailed.
Fantastic tips Darren. Basically writing something out of the box helps.
Great reference check list for posts, thought provoking and directional. Helps to remove the dull and inject the spark.
What is Unique …? I don’t Understant
Please sent email to me about unique
Almost every post on ProBlogger has at least one of those elements in it, which is probably part of the reason this blog got where it is in the first place.
I really do learn a lot from this blog.
Write something about something ‘cool‘, this one I always admired those who write it, have been trying to do so, but few can accept it.
Will not give up, but will try the best all the way.
This is a very unusual post by Darren.
My first time reading a post from him that is very short yet very useful.
Thanks!
TechMata
Excellent list. You’re smart!
Awesome simple but great tips Darren. First time visiting your blogs, first time I get inspiring tips for my blog content.
Thanks a lot
Abee
http://www.greenhealthy.co.nr
This is incredibly useful in deed! Thanks!
If I replace the word “write” with “draw” in each line of this list, I might be able to make use of it.
These topics are great.
The key to all writing is to elicit an emotional response from the person who reads it, regardless of the topic.
If a person isn’t emotionally connected to what you wrote (though it might be useful information) they will never be committed to follow through with your advice.
Hey. This list was very useful, i think the most important thing is: Entertain ur readers…
if u like it or not…90 % is presentation and 10 % is content…that’s a fact :)
I’m saving this one as a writing prompt, thanks!
Hi Darren,
That for this wonderful “list” post. You must know how all us web users love this type of material. Easy to read and build a mantra around.
Love your bio pic-btw, did you like the movie, Australia?
to your continued success,
Kim
Excellent post, I needed something to give me new ideas. I am going to hang it on the wall.
Great list and that’s what I need to do!
I think controversial is viral
Start writing and start is right now.
Another one I would add is ‘Write something that makes them come back tomorrow.’ I’m currently running a ‘Sparkly Guitar Week’ with a different sparkly guitar each day of the week, and each story includes a photo, information about the guitar, and affiliate links. I plan to have one theme week per month.
That’s great lists which will enhance your writing skills. I am going to suggest this post link to others from my blog.
I like your important post, for me, i like to write something that gives information, strange thing…
Thanks for sharing great information. It really helps me writing posts.
Lol, I think you forgot write something relevant…:-)
I am sorry, Darren, but this type of posts is useless, and way below the average article on the web. I think that your site is so huge and has so many articles on the topic that it has become very difficult for you to keep up with the pace. The reason is that you have already written everything useful (and thank you for that). But my opinion is do not squeeze the posts out of you; the articles must be useful, and this is just obvious list that serves no use. If you continue with these types of posts, your blog will turn into useless spam site.
I am writing this because I love what you do. I want you to continue doing great things. But with this type of posts, the greatness of Problogger vanishes.
I recently launched a site Techpaparazzi.com, i was planning to blog about all tech happenings….and this post makes it easy for me to write the post more usefull by keeping these above point in mind……
Thanks Darren, it’s always great to be reminded what makes a great post and how to drive traffic to your site.
Thanks for the great tips. I’ve printed out the list and put it right by my computer!! Hopefully it’ll be helpful in giving me spark for my blog posts!
Hi Darren,
Big fan, even better you’re a local Melbourne boy too.
In our RAP, “We Blog”, came up with a similar list of ‘Blog Being’ – Be Opinionated, Be Passionate, Be Original, Be Regular, Be Transparent, Be Strong, Be You.
Happy to email you this issue if you’re interested.
The link we make between movies & blogging and ‘acceleration’ is a fresh take on the future of the web.
Keep up the good work!
Geoff
Darren, Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for this list. I have found this very useful, I appreciate your employing the K.I.S.S. method. Keep up the great work.
Excellent list long but nice. If you can combine at least two or three of these in each post i’m sure you will get attention. You continue to deliver great insight as always.
Thanks
Thanks for the tips! This will help newbies like myself! Thanks for the great site!
Hi Darren,
Just want to say what a great post this is. The tips are awesome !!!
Thanks
Thanks ,simplifies things tremendously. Makes it easier to stay focused.
You know you’ve got a great post when you get 90 comments or so! Love the list. Shows that you don’t need a lot of words to deliver a lot of wisdom.
So, I keep this notepad file I keep making better and better called “how to write blog post”, and I just stole all 21 ideas…lol It’s like my own little cheat sheet when I am writing. Thanks for the post, really good info.
Kenney
The Work From Home Secret
This is the first time i really enjoy reading your article, its short and straight to the point, Love it!
This is a really helpful post. I reckon this will be very helpful for me, kind of a checklist :))
Thank you, I love it! <1+2
Thanks for the list. It’s useful.
It makes me remember Brian Tracy and his 21 series.
Easy to say, hard to do. Maybe this distinguishes bloggers that will be successful from the rest.
These never fail, keep a list like this with you and when the writers block hits refer to it.
Doing a bit of research work ie forums, yahoo answers etc while bearing the list of statements above in mind, will soon have you armed with dozens of articles if not more.
write something concise. which is what you did. great list.
i don’t think i’ve ever seen a list from you with no links to other posts. interesting…
Thanks for the list, Darren. This will help me. I think the ones I use the most are “write something that makes those who read it smarter,” “write something useful,” “write something cool,” and “write something that gives a sense of belonging.” And perhaps — write something that helps others to have a lot of fun! But my blog is a lot about giving a sense of belonging. Not just belonging to the blog, and to my brand, but belonging to the whole community of the blog — being connected to the rest of the readers. It’s all about community. Everyone likes a place to belong. And to be able to provide that, sometimes, is great! Then again, to be able to provide information — like you do — is great also! Perhaps the ideal would be a blog that does both! thanks for a fabulous post — I’m keeping it for ideas — especially for when I get stuck.
krissy knox :)
follow me on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/iamkrissy
nice list but nothing new or different…..very basic
This is exactly what I need – a simple, direct to the point guide that will help me with my blog posting tasks. Thank you for posting this.
Great way to stimulate ideas, to brainstorm, about what I have to say that help someone else. Thanks!
http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com