When CONTENT STRIKES BACK with a VENGEANCE

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What is the best way to describe my current content writing situation? Well, if you can accept comparisons that are a little bit unorthodox in their nature here is one. I'm just like Brus Willis after the Fifth Element or the Sixth Sense, whichever comes last. Until then, the good old Brus was all about character roles where you could easily notice his heart and soul in every move he makes. What happened afterwards? Well, he was all about the money, that for sure. So, something similar happened to me with an exception of the global fame and earnings, of course. Not so long ago I treated every single writing assignment as if it was my first and last one. More importantly as if I'm going to use it as my reference.

Then at some point, I can't remember exactly when, I didn't win an Oscar for content writing, but I begin worrying more about the money I will earn than the quality I will deliver. It was just like in that story when you have both the devil and an angel resting and whispering on your shoulders. So, obviously my writing angel was telling me that wasn't right. Yet, the devil on my other shoulder whispered who cares and who reads all those things online that have been published and uploaded at an unimaginable rate and in insane quantities. You just do your job and get over with. Who cares? Who reads for real? People barely pass a headline or the first two line of text they're looking at. Why should you care?

Yeah really, why should I care? With so many wonders of our modern and brave new cyber world who worries about reading the quality stuff. Right? There are so many other things and forms, you can enjoy and invest your time in. Why bother with reading. So, one night I just become tired of all video games, movies, and TV shows. I wanted to read something interesting and meaningful for a change. Where and how to find such a rare thing these days? So, I searched and searched until I become tired and extremely frustrated. How many so-called writers are out there doing their job the same way I do? No wonder you can't find a good read.

Finally, I stumble upon an article that seemed like an average popular TV show review. However, that was only the first impression. When I scratched the surface, I could notice a superb style and quite an easy read. There were so many things to learn and guess about this guy from his writing. So many things he was able to show and so many opportunities he used to shine. So, I wanted to see and read more. I looked for this guy. Searched for more of his work. There it was, but in the limited quantities. I wish there was more. But I guess, I had to settle with what I found that night.

So, the good old quality content showed me its beautiful face in an ugly way. Just to show how important and powerful quality content can be. OK, the lesson learned, or maybe it is better to say, I was reminded of an important lesson. Have I changed as a result of this new voyage down the old road? Yes and no. No and yes. I'm still a writer of fortune, but every now and then, I stop for a moment and I write something as if I'm going to get an Oscar for it. If you are a heartless writing mercenary, you will never be happy. If you are a helpless visionary writer, you will eventually starve. Somewhere in between, as an anomaly or as a hidden jewel the quality content survives and prevails. Every now and then, content strikes back with a vengeance.
#back #content #strikes #vengeance
  • Profile picture of the author David Beroff
    I'm not sure why you are surprised, Nesha. There are generally audiences that are attracted to high quality work, although admittedly, that's not always the case. But sure, you have to make that decision as to whether a given project is worth the investment of time (and sometimes also money) to achieve a certain level of quality. I struggle with that on many of my own projects.

    Here's one of my own favorite content creators. He clearly spends weeks on each video, and that effort shows. I think it's been worth it. He's up to almost five million views, and this has become his full time job.



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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by David Beroff View Post

      Here's one of my own favorite content creators. He clearly spends weeks on each video, and that effort shows. I think it's been worth it. He's up to almost five million views, and this has become his full time job.
      Thx D.

      I think that's become extremely difficult or almost impossible to trick someone these days. There are no special effects in content writing. You can tell in a sec if someone has invested a minute or a week or a month in a particular piece of content. It's a fair deal. You are rewarded or you are punished depending on your willingness to invest your time and efforts.

      My particular trouble. I have to produce as much content as possible for the shortest period of time and lowest quantity of energy and efforts possible. It's a nightmare from the quality point of view. So, I can see only one solution. That's to write something for myself for others to read. It's like those Hollywood movie stars who have also become the producers. So, they're in control.

      The same thing happens with the comments here, if you have noticed, not to mention the threads themselves. You can't fool the people. They appreciate if you have invested a great deal of time and thoughts in a thing you are sharing with them. You are either rewarded or punished with the full or lack of attention.

      So, I'm not talking about the basic survival for any content writer. Some writers build their content from the concrete words, they're build to last. Some are obviously using some other materials for their words. This is how they end up just like me, writing in the wind, pardon my French.

      Somewhere and somehow this has to stop, or I will stop to exist as a content writer and become merely a meaningless and heartless machine pumping out words.

      Live long and prosper in writing,
      N
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      • Profile picture of the author David Beroff
        Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

        ...I have to produce as much content as possible for the shortest period of time and lowest quantity of energy and efforts possible. It's a nightmare from the quality point of view....

        Somewhere and somehow this has to stop, or I will stop to exist as a content writer and become merely a meaningless and heartless machine pumping out words....
        It sounds like it's not just a matter of you making a choice for each individual project, but for your whole career. If you're not comfortable with what you're doing currently, you may need to make a change. That may require getting a regular job in the mean time.
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        • Profile picture of the author neshaword
          We shall see D. Right now, I can't imagine going back to the white collar zone. I was there and I didn't like it. Maybe, this is that notorious critical transition period when you find yourself in no man's land. That's the moment to think for a while where you are and where you are headed. I sure hope so. If you survive this transitional pain, then you are going to change something. If not, you are back, where you started. So far, so bad instead of good. Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author Junaid khawaja
    Hi Nesha, that's a nice title.

    Well, there are millions of "SEO" driven service-providing websites that don't give a cat shit about quality. All they want is their "Newyork pest termination" keyword to be integrated all over their web and blog. For them, quantity is everything.

    However, the big names across all niches have understood the quality vs quantity debate. They write probably once a week but make sure it strikes back with vengeance.And they are happy with it. Their readers too.

    It was a good read!
    Thanks
    -J
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Junaid khawaja View Post

      Hi Nesha, that's a nice title.

      Well, there are millions of "SEO" driven service-providing websites that don't give a cat shit about quality. All they want is their "Newyork pest termination" keyword to be integrated all over their web and blog. For them, quantity is everything.

      However, the big names across all niches have understood the quality vs quantity debate. They write probably once a week but make sure it strikes back with vengeance.And they are happy with it. Their readers too.

      It was a good read!
      Thanks
      -J
      When it comes to the catchy titles, we know how's the boss here J, lol.
      I can really tell when you post a thread based on a title alone, almost I mean, lol.
      It's like this epic battle between quantity and quality and we are caught in between. This balancing between these two is going to cost me a lot, that's for sure.
      Thx J. Looking forward to seeing some of your new reads. Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    When you REALLY are having fun with creating content, you'll not only put out amazing quality stuff, you'll also detach from those money outcomes. And of course, the money and traffic and all good stuff will flow your way. Easily. Easily. Easily. But most guys online follow money, stats, or other results, versus predominantly following their joy, which is why few see stunning results. Have fun! Have fun! And, make sure to have fun LOL Creating content is a playful thing for me, and it reflects through my work. Usually

    Ryan Biddulph
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

      When you REALLY are having fun with creating content, you'll not only put out amazing quality stuff, you'll also detach from those money outcomes. And of course, the money and traffic and all good stuff will flow your way. Easily. Easily. Easily. But most guys online follow money, stats, or other results, versus predominantly following their joy, which is why few see stunning results. Have fun! Have fun! And, make sure to have fun LOL Creating content is a playful thing for me, and it reflects through my work. Usually

      Ryan Biddulph
      Thx R. Always positive. Always supportive. I imagine you're some kind of a modern Robinson, on some paradise lost island, meditating and offering a piece of advice, lol. Don't tell me if it's true because I will envy you, lol. Cheers!
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