Show me examples of great content

8 years ago

Great content should

1) Get the reader's attention

2) Filter the reader based on needs. Not everyone who will look at your article is part of your target audience.

3) Engage the reader and speak to their needs. In short, provide some sort of solution or answer.

My sample link (since you asked for it): http://dedicatedstaff.com/sample.pdf It is a published guest post. I specialize in personality-driven guest posts

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Hire a FULL-TIME WRITER: only $375 per month - CLICK HERE

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8683606].message }}

Horny Devil

Banned 8 years ago

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

Can people share examples of content that they've read recently and considered it to be great? -- Articles specifically.

What sort of qualities should a great article have, and can you share any examples?

Are you seeking examples to learn from or emulate? If so, truly great article writing is for the main part inherent, and can seldom be taught to an equivalent standard. In instances where it can it's a long road to make it to the top of the profession.

Also, a point worth mentioning, is that the writing vogue utilised for an article in one particular niche is frequently unsuccessful when transposed to another niche or topic. Horses for courses as they say. Many writers make this mistake.

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

I often see people claiming they can sell their articles for hundreds of dollars, but understandably they never provide any evidence or examples of their own work.

Top quality article writers don't make claims of how much their work sells for. They're far too busy doing it - either for themselves or with a full order book.

As for "hundreds of dollars" . . certain articles can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. It's not simply about the article though. It's also about the target audience, marketing and exposure.

There is a way to utilise basic article writing skills and easily market the output to truly vast audiences. If this is your aim I can provide further advice, niche dependent.

[ 2 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8684384].message }}

JanePlaten

Banned 8 years ago

Content writers who sell on command will not be able to provide examples of their work unless you meet with them and you get to see their articles on the computer, or unless you place an order for an article. The sole reason for that is the fact that their articles are purchased and they no longer have any right over them.
As far as the hundreds of dollars worth of articles. I am not there yet, although I have received great feedback for mine and, in time, I have made sure that some clients got back to the companies I was writing for. I believe that it can also depend on circumstances. I am constantly surrounded by people who are trying to convince me to pay them to write for them. It depends on who you write for and how you get there as well. On opportunity.
I once read the post of a blogger making A LOT of money and I was not impressed.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8684808].message }}

Daniel Canfield

8 years ago

This is the type of article that can command A LOT of money for writing. It is a great article, and No I am NOT the author of it. (I Wish)
Learning Chinese to fix the language barrier that leaves parents and son near-strangers - The Washington Post

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8684821].message }}

mrgoe

8 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel Canfield

This is the type of article that can command A LOT of money for writing. It is a great article, and No I am NOT the author of it. (I Wish)
Learning Chinese to fix the language barrier that leaves parents and son near-strangers - The Washington Post

The title is long, the theme is having bugs (I`m using mozilla), but other than that, the article is of medium value.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

I Use SiteGround For Hosting
And SpinRewriter For Unlimited, Unique Content.
Try Them

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8687182].message }}

agmccall 8 years ago

I usually get inspiration and content ideas here. Welcum to My Trailer Park!

al
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

A bar of iron cost $5. Made into horseshoes, it's worth $12. Made into needles, it's worth $3500. Made into balance springs for watches, it's worth $300,000. Your value is determined by what you are able to make of yourself
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8687424].message }}
- BrandyM 8 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by agmccall
  
  I usually get inspiration and content ideas here. Welcum to My Trailer Park!
  
  al
  
  Well that didn't inspire me at all. lol
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8687705].message }}

IMhelper

8 years ago

According to Google, top ranked links in their search engine result page are great content! So, do some search, you can find it by yourself!

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8684966].message }}

Alexa Smith

Banned 8 years ago

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

I often see people claiming they can sell their articles for hundreds of dollars

I see that very rarely, actually. I know several people who do sell their articles for hundreds of dollars, but in my experience they tend to be the ones you don't see "claiming" anything - and you don't often see them advertising for clients either. That's because (unlike the $5/$10 article writers who have chosen to compete in a market with nearly as many service-providers as customers and one in which the customers' own businesses don't typically survive for the long term) they're fully booked with work from regularly returning customers who know how to use the product.

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

What sort of qualities should a great article have

Some of the ones listed here, I think (and certainly "entertainment" and "controversy" are both pretty high on the list): http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post3188316

[ 6 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685041].message }}

Martin Avis 8 years ago

If you want to see content that publishers pay good money for, pick up any magazine on the bookstall. Or if that is too retro, look at the online versions.

I was once commissioned to write a series of articles at over $1200 each, but we are not talking 500-word keyword stuffed Internet fodder. Think 4000 words, heavily researched and genuinely useful.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
Martin Avis publishes Kickstart Newsletter - Subscribe free at http://kickstartnewsletter.com
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685056].message }}
- Tijs 8 years ago
  
  I think it IS possible to learn how to write a good article.
  
  The most important step is to just do and then read about how to improve your articles, or let someone proofread it.
  
  'Write to done' is a blog with a free ebook, you might wanna check it out since it gives some directions.
  
  Copy what others are doing and give your own swing to it :-)
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685148].message }}
  
  aSecret 8 years ago
  
  This is a bit long, but I have a background in publishing and a master's degree in creative writing, so this is a topic I can really go on about...
  
  To echo what Martin is saying, magazine publishers pay much much more for content than the IM world would lead you to believe. It's not that rare for people to sell articles for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. And if you're a competent writer with steely determination, I don't think it's impossible to break into. Not easy, may take a long time and a lot of rejection and learning, but not impossible. $1 per word is a pretty common rate. These two sites can give you some idea of this market:
  
  Mediabistro: jobs, classes, community and news for media professionals (scroll down to "browse by rate per word")
  
  What should a freelance journalist be paid per word by publications that use articles written by freelance writers
  
  Some might argue this world is dying, but that's up for debate. I personally don't think the demand for the content itself will change. I've been watching MediaBistro's How to Pitch pages for a few years now, and for some magazines the rates stay pretty consistent. FWIW, a friend of mine who's a book editor was shocked when I told her that there are people who will write 500 words for $10.
  
  What makes a great piece of content varies depending on your purpose, but I would say these are some universal ingredients (for non-fiction):
  
  offers something new and valuable for the audience that's not out there already (could be a new perspective or a new joke rather than new information)
  
  written by a subject matter expert or informed by an expert perspective (via interviews or the writer's research into what experts are saying)
  
  backs up any claims made with solid evidence
  
  well-organized, clear, and engaging
  
  Of course, getting your average website owner who needs content to pay these kind of rates for this level of quality is quite another thing. And depending on the site the relationship between great content and more revenue is indirect, if not questionable. A good content provider needs to be creative, to compromise, and to work with a business's limits, while striving for bigger and better things. But this is the ideal.
  
  I agree that looking at feature articles in magazines is one way to find great content, but to bring it back to the online world here are some more everyday blogs/sites that are personal favorites (and I'm pretty picky):
  
  www.mrmoneymustache.com - Start reading this blog from the beginning to get the full effect. More recent content is perhaps not as good. What this guy does really well is take ideas that aren't 100% new in the personal finance world, but gives them a new, very engaging spin and creates a hilarious, charismatic persona. Great example that it's not what you say, but how you say it. At one point he talks about what the blog makes in income.
  
  Investing for Beginners by Joshua Kennon - Good example of a well-done (and profitable) how-to site aimed at beginners. Guide Joshua Kennon does a good job of making a complex topic accessible without dumbing it down. His personal blog is also well worth a look for anyone interested in business, though he sometimes just seems to be writing for friends and family (he has posts where he tells you about his day making banana bread and playing video games that are pretty boring). He even has some commentary somewhere in there about how now is a great time to be a writer.
  
  The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss | Tim Ferriss's 4-Hour Workweek and Lifestyle Design Blog - Whatever you think of Tim Ferriss, you have to admit lots of us read what he publishes.
  
  Other smart sites that keep me at least coming back, even if I don't 100% agree with arguments made there:
  
  xoJane
  The Rules Revisited
  Hooking Up Smart - To get the relationship you want
  PPC Strategies & Pay Per Click News | PPC Hero® - this is actually associated with a business that is selling something other than the content itself/advertising the way a magazine does, showing how good content can help the bottom line
  
  I could go on and on...think of the content you like that you couldn't live without. You want to create the same desire in your own readers for your work.
  
  [ 4 ] Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  Give happiness and you will end up happy.
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685496].message }}

101AnonymousGuy101

8 years ago

Great contents will be based on facts and not mumbo jumbos.

You have to add useful and factual contents in your articles. You also have to make your articles seem interesting.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685186].message }}

BradVert2013

8 years ago

For me, a great article leaves me feeling a bit smarter. Maybe it taught me how to do something. Or maybe it gave me some useful tips about how to find the best airfare (for example). The content should also be relevant. If hypothetical airfare article is on a gardening site, the reader will be confused and the site will probably lose some credibility.

These are just the bare basics of good content. There are also things like being well-researched, error free, etc.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685560].message }}

travlinguy

8 years ago

During the 2008 election I was freelancing. I answered several posts on Craigslist looking for political writers. I'd never considered myself a political writer but answered the ads just the same. I ended up writing for a guy who paid me 25 cents per word. The articles I wrote were around 1500 words. Later on that year I picked up work in the same price range for the opposite side.

I was available to write for either team as I have no allegiance to the parties. It was easy work pointing out the flaws in both presidential candidates. I was glad my clients didn't want me focusing on their virtues. That would have been a challenge.

The reason I got gigs back then was because after reading one of my articles people were both pissed off and inspired to participate in changing things as they were, or so the myth of modern day of "representative" government claims. That's what both clients wanted. Stuff that moved people to think and take action.

People selling articles in the $100 and up range often have a unique or clever way of making a point and tying everything together with a recap that somehow moves the reader.

Before answering this post I tried to locate something I'd written back then but it seems the two sites I wrote for are no longer up. After selling my writing for premium pay I decided I'd be better served writing for myself.

[ 5 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685623].message }}

brenda221

8 years ago

I think besides providing useful and relevant content, it also has to catch your eye and explain things in a way that's as easy to understand as possible. If you search online for a "how to..." phrase, for example, you'll probably find like a dozen different articles on the first page that explain almost the same thing.

Which one of them will you consider reading from beginning to the end? Examine that article's structure and style, how long the paragraphs are, how the headings and subheadings are worded, etc. ...and you'll have yourself all the guidelines you need to get started.

[ 2 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8685821].message }}

Robert T Jillie

8 years ago

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

Can people share examples of content that they've read recently and considered it to be great? -- Articles specifically. I often see people claiming they can sell their articles for hundreds of dollars, but understandably they never provide any evidence or examples of their own work.

What sort of qualities should a great article have, and can you share any examples?

Take a look at the following:
Blogtyrant.com
Unbounce.com
Heidicohen.com/
Chrisducker.com/blog/

These are a few examples of exceedingly good content. Look at the Likes and Tweets and Shares as well as the comments.

This type of content engages readers and readers feel that this content is good enough to share. This provides Social proof of good content and most likely other website either link back to or reference this type of content as well.

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Never Give Up, Be Confident In What You Do.

There may be tough times, but the difficulties which you face
will make you more determined to achieve your objectives
and to win against all the odds.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8686180].message }}

Bkelly301

8 years ago

Stevepavlina.com

Read any of his articles!

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8687143].message }}

Danielle Murphyx

Banned 8 years ago

If you are talking about informative or research articles, yes, I think examples are required. But opinion articles don't. It depends on the type of article, if you ask me.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8687177].message }}

FreeMeal

8 years ago

Thanks for all the replies and links. I've bookmarked a few. I can see a lot of effort went into some of them. They're very helpful.

For those asking, I want to know for self improvement reasons. I enjoy writing, but would like to be better. I think it's a good skill to have.

Horny Devil - It's not so much wanting to emulate, more so to learn from. I don't have a particular niche in mind, but yes, being able to streamline the writing process and market it to a large audience is a big part of what I'd like to improve.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8688202].message }}

writeaway

8 years ago

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

Thanks for all the replies and links. I've bookmarked a few. I can see a lot of effort went into some of them. They're very helpful.

For those asking, I want to know for self improvement reasons. I enjoy writing, but would like to be better. I think it's a good skill to have.

One thing that helped me a lot is to READ A LOT every single day. You'll be exposed to different writing styles online and how to present ideas in different ways. This jogs your creativity and you quickly build a 'tool kit' of how to approach different genres and niches. I wish you nothing but the best and great success in your writing efforts.

Writing is the only activity that makes me full TRULY ALIVE. Yes, it feels even better than counting my Clickbank/Adsense/CPA income

Keep writing and digging deep. You have a gift the world can always use more of.

Thanks

Signature

Hire a FULL-TIME WRITER: only $375 per month - CLICK HERE

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8688923].message }}

scottsavoy

8 years ago

Are you looking for help writing articles, or are you looking for a way to purchase articles that have already been written like PLR articles?

Thanks

Signature

Get Your Copy of The Road to a 50k Mailing List and Boost Your Income! www.websiterankinginfo.com

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8688938].message }}

neximuss

8 years ago

Great content is divided into:
- engaging
- helpful
- provocative

Which sells best? Clearly the helpful.

So if you want to sell something, make a review of the product and help the reader to KNOW why they should buy this one AND let them know how it is easy to use that product AFTER buying.