Blog Content

Write about things you know and understand so that you don't need to "copy" or "paraphrase" what others are saying.

If you write your blog posts without having other people's work in front of you, it should come out in your own "voice." Be sure to give credit to other thinkers that you quote.

It's fine to read, study, and ponder on others' work. But you must develop the ability to turn your thoughts and analysis into your own writing. If you can't do that, don't be a blogger. There are many other ways to express yourself and make money online.

Good luck to you,

Steve

Keep track of sources If you use information from someone else, note it down. Better yet, create a link to them while writing or include the link in your draft. That way you stay aware of what is your own scribblings and what is the writing of other people.

Read more than one source The danger of plagiarism also looms when you limit yourself in your research. If you base all your ideas on one other piece of content, you easily run the danger of adhering to its structure, phrasing, and other identifiable characteristics. So, read broad and learn as much as you can.

use copyscape- it will not only help you find your scraped content on the web, but their premium version also lets you check your own work for uniqueness and originality.

In what way do you think you're able to provide more value than the guy you're stealing from?

You may make a quick buck but I don't see whatever you're doing to be a long-term sustainable business, if you don't know your topic well enough to come up with unique content of your own. Come on.

We produce several blog posts each day, here are some tips that may help:

1. Use other material to trigger an IDEA - ask yourself "what question is the content you are reading/watching answering?" Then, quickly shift into asking yourself that question and jot down the answers. Many times I have come across content that has triggered ideas in my own mind that allows us to produce our own unique content. Make sure your answers are providing additional/different value...no problem to have some overlap in terms of "ideas", but you really need to construct it in your voice, using your terms, and adding in a story or analogy of your own

2. You can also merge a few ideas from 3-4 different pieces of content, take an "idea" from each and put them together into a valuable piece of content based on your own experience and knowledge

3. Strive to do less reading/looking and more DOING -- try something, then write about it. That's the real key to valuable content. First-hand content from yourself or people you know is what you want to plan your future business around

Jeff

The more you research, different source, the more unique content will be.

Expand your horizons for your research

The main thing to remember is you are communicated to an audience who is searching for something (information, a solution, a product, entertainment, love, knowledge, etc...) and your job is communicating to them... Where to find that "answer"... But, if you don't know the answer yourself or where the solution is to match the need or want of your audience....

You need to first conduct research, marketability, audience need, and procure the solution... By writing content that "compells" action on behalf of your reader...leading to that answer or part of the answer...to keep them engaged.

In short, quoting others to add emphasis or strengthen your own writing, or to add credibility or prove your point is fine...

But, if you are borrowing and idea or concept, with no knowledge of your own to back it... Maybe start of doing simple product reviews or operate as an "underground" affiliate... As you don't need expertise, credibilty, or to justify your theories, claims, or pre-disposed authoritive issues you are facing now...

Always start with research...

1.) Know the solution beforehand (where to lead potential buyers) - study the product or services benefits, rewards, etc...

2.) Know the audiences interests, needs, wants, fears, aspirations, etc... (will they buy? Will they benefit from? Etc...)

3.) Write in a manner that "compells" them to take a specific action or take you up on an offering...

4.) Fine tune your writings to match that audiences responses... (comments, testimonials, needs, wants, problems, etc...) by tracking results ( opt-in rates, conversions, time on site, etc...)

Everything you write should address a potential buyers need or want, and be delivered in "bite size" chunks leading to an action...

Otherwise, your just an unpaid journalist writing for free!

Start with a solution people need... Figure out who they are... Where they are... And lead them by communicating to their needs in a voice they can relate to or will respond to especially.

If you are writing blind with no map for them to follow, you will steuggle to write good blog content... and your readers will stray to someone who can provide the "answers" they seek.

I wouldn't try to write about stuff that I am inexperienced with.

Paraphrasing is not copying and pasting but a way to try and capitalize off the hard work of an experienced blogger.

There is no short cut to success even if you try to 'rewrite' what someone else already wrote.

Blogging is not for everyone.

However, if you insist on learning how to blog, there is no harm learning stuff by reading other bloggers content.

Once you learn this stuff (not by trying to 'paraphrase'), it is absorbed in your memory and you begin to fill your own mind with content that you can in turn...create your own content.

One more thing, James said you can not try and fool people.

He's absolutely right.

People will see right through your content (if it's not yours).

We are all 'connected'.

So in a nutshelll, learn stuff, understand it, then put your 'own' spin on it (your personality) and write from your heart.

Hopes this helps.

Focus on specific questions about stuff you're familiar with

This deepens your understanding

The more you research, the closer you get to being an expert

Also, focus on an angle most people in your niche don't focus on

Try to provide an opposite perspective to conventional wisdom

It is always better to write something that you know or can understand without taking up topics that are too complex or technical to understand. It is better to have references from other websites and take ideas from it. But you should have your own analysis and research abilities which would help you convert your thoughts and ideas in to unique and relevant content within the blog posts.

Furthermore, you can make use of tools such as Copyscape which would help you avoid plagiarism and copied content completely so that you will be able to create your own unique content.

I know how you feel.

Its important not to copy other peoples work because of the duplicate content penalty but if you read an article and you understand what you read then there's nothing stopping you from writing what you've learned from the article. I do that when I write articles about what I've learned from Neil Patel: 5 Lessons Learned from Neil Patel and his Quicksprout Blog

Besides this there are other ways to get content for you blog. You will have to pay for it but the quality is great and you will save hours trying to generate content. PM if you want more information on where to get high quality content at a fraction of the cost guaranteed.

Hope my contribution was valuable to you

You can use google trends and see what is happening in your market/niches. Then you can go to google search and search for information around this trend. Read and understand the information and the point that is being driven.

Re write it in your own words with your own personality.

You don’t need tens of thousands of views for a new piece of content to make a difference, but you should be aiming for at least a thousand, even when you’re just starting off.

If you’re not getting many views on your content, something is wrong. (Patel)

Keep up with current events. Blend them into your blog posts.

savidge4
I came to check on any new replies and noticed I had overlooked responding to your reply. Thanks for your input. I do like the idea of getting material or I better say, researching material from magazines. It does seem to be more complete and thorough in its coverage and the learning aspect is a big plus. Thanks again and my apologies for skipping you.