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The use of the "I" in SYNDICATION WORTHY articles

by Martin Pupke
7 replies
Hi Warriors

I am of the opinion that including personal stories and experiences in relation to the topic you are writing about makes for a better article. Having said that, what if the reader doesn't care about you? What if they're only interested in the information that they believe the article is going to give them?

Since I aim to use article syndication as my main source of traffic will it be counter-productive to write from first-hand experience? My thinking is that newsletter and blog owners will not care about my experiences, they will only care about how I can provide value to their audience.

I bring this up because I found an authors guidelines page on CC and they advise against writing in first-person. The page explains why writing in first-person is not ideal in terms of the "content buyers" perspective.

I found this author guidelines page on CC:https://www.constant-content.com/blo...ntsnarratives/

Martin
#articles #syndication #worthy
  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    Constant Content is very restrictive. They even have rules/advice about the consistency of the Oxford comma - try getting an article published there and you will see what I mean.

    However, if you have good 1st hand stories, there's nothing wrong with writing in the 1st person - especially on a blog.

    Will
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    As Will stated, Constant Content tends to reject articles in the first person. Nut Constant Content isn't really about syndication anyways (although as I've recommended in our private conversations, still a great place for newer writers to earn livable wages while improving their craft).

    Now for the question at hand: using a personal story is very situational. As you correctly recognized, the focus of the content needs to be on entertaining, informing, or warning the reader. Does your story act as ameans to one of those ends? If yes, include it. If no, it's just filler, and you have to learn to leave that on the cutting room floor.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      If the story will cause your readers and potential clients to have empathy, and relate to whatever you're writing about with an emotional pull, couldn't you tell the story from a third person perspective?

      And as Joe has already stated, any included story needs to be necessary in walking your readers along the chosen path you're leading them down. If it isn't a vital step, bypass it.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author MaryPabelate
    Banned
    As "I" is personal pronoun, if you use in your article then it would depict your experience so you have to think of this, if you want to share your views with that article.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
      Banned
      Originally Posted by MaryPabelate View Post

      As "I" is personal pronoun, if you use in your article then it would depict your experience so you have to think of this, if you want to share your views with that article.
      Exactly. Considering this, it's simple to see why Constant Content tends to frown upon it. You're selling work there: content that in all likelihood won't be published under your name after purchase. Putting buyers in a situation where they're suddenly having to lay claim to a personal anecdote they know nothing about is bad for all parties involved.

      It's different with syndication. Readers know ahead prime this a guest author they are dealing with, who (hopefully) experienced whatever story they include (so long as its effective).

      To sum it up sweetly: it's a cover your backside kind of thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    One should avoid using "I" in a syndicated article, unless the use of the personal story will substantially add value to the story you are telling.

    Most readers do not care about you, but rather what you can do for them. This is true.

    But occasionally, it is helpful for the reader to see that "you" know what you are talking about, and that can be supported substantially by your personal story.

    Only use "I" when there is no other way to tell the story that needs to be told.
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    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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  • Profile picture of the author TeamTCW
    You can use I as well but not too frequently in the article, but it would show your views, your experience.
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