What Is The True Definition Of ‘Quality Content’?
The concept of ‘quality content’ isn’t as clear cut as you think. Not everyone’s idea of quality content is the same, yet everyone uses that phrase for anything involving the written word. While there is a general consensus on the definition, the reality is that it could be any number of different things. Before you start shouting at the computer screen, let me explain.
Perfect Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation
When asked what quality content is, well written is one of the first traits listed off. I agree. A well written piece reads better, and is more enjoyable. But, what if it has a few small spelling mistakes? Does this mean it isn’t ‘quality content?’
While every writer should aim for perfection, I honestly don’t think a misspelled word could destroy the entire piece. It depends on the situation, and the content itself.
Information
Quality content must contain good information. Regurgitating the same concepts and ideals repeatedly becomes monotonous. Fresh information maybe difficult in some subjects, but your piece needs a unique angle. If you only repeat what others have already stated, it would be easier to copy and paste it rather than writing it.
To present something fresh, write from an alternative perspective. This step often creates writer’s block, but the fight is worth it. For example, instead of using the topic ‘how to write a blog post,’ why not try ‘what makes a bad post.’
Two good reasons exist for this:
1- Not everyone learns the same way.
2- Sometimes, we need reminders of the basics.
Interestingly, I don’t think copy/paste work itself is poor. (Bare with me!) The piece itself is usually fantastic (that’s why it was copy/pasted right?). It’s the fact that it isn’t your own that becomes the issue.
Any time the sole purpose is to show your own voice, don’t copy and paste. If this doesn’t factor into it, then by all means spread the good cheer (by following the proper procedure according to the license, and with adequate credit of course.) A news feed site is a good example. Here, people want straight information.
The other issue is the concept of informative. Photography and creative writing blogs are wonderful, but not necessarily ‘informative.’
So, What Is Quality Content?
In my opinion, quality content needs to match your readers as well as yourself. This holds true regardless what medium you work in. Engage, entertain, inform, take action, but make them feel something! Even getting them to disagree with you can be a great thing. So long as it’s kept friendly, I love a good discussion or debate. The best ideas come from them. If you write on a topic you can’t take an interest in, it will certainly show.
Don’t fret over whether something is ‘quality content.’ Write to the best of your ability, present your ideas well, and bring out your own voice to produce your own quality content. That’s what will make all the difference.
January 18, 2009 at 2:29 pm | For the Writer | 11 comments
That’s what is so fabulous about blogging – we can share our personalities in our posts and really make the reader feel our passion for the topic. I definitely don’t like the copy/paste or the scraping when they’re stealing my content. It’s really aggravating!
*smiles*
Michele
Michele’s last blog post..Health Sites I Love
Yes it is. I find magazines are similar, but it takes a bit more work to balance the two. Scrapers seem to be a fact of life these days. I’m good with it if it gets me a link. I just don’t let them have a link back. If they steal numerous posts with no link, then I have an issue with it. My site is generally crawled before theirs, so it’s all good. But you are right, theft is theft. Thanks so much for stopping by!
RT @angie1234p: The True Definition Of Quality Content http://tinyurl.com/ayepj3
RT @angie1234p: The True Definition Of Quality Content http://tinyurl.com/ayepj3
Some great points here, but there is one in particular I wanted to comment on. You said “In my opinion, quality content needs to match your readers as well as yourself.” I just wanted to say that I think you nailed this one. IMHO, your own personality has to come through in your writing. My wife swears rather liberally throughout her blog posts. This is who she is, and she doesn’t apologize for it.
However, when it comes to launching products she has to (and does) tone down her language somewhat. People buy these products because they want to learn, and too much swearing turns some people off. She has to leave some (not all) of her personality out of her writing because it doesn’t match the readers who have purchased the product. They want fun, but also serious.
Anyway, my two cents. Thanks for the great read.
Jamie D’s last blog post..Skip School and Learn What You Need to Know Instead
Hi Jamie!
It’s a pleasure to ‘meet’ the other half of the Ittybiz team. No one swears like Naomi lol. It isn’t just that. In her writing, I find she has the unique talent of of being very honest and straightforward without sounding…arrogant? You know that when she says something, she means it, and is 100% sincere about it.
When I purchased Online Business School, I found that even without the swearing, her personality still reflects strongly in her work. I thoroughly enjoy reading her work even if the swearing isn’t my thing. In fact, I find it often takes the edge off in many instances. (Come to think of it, didn’t someone actually return one because it didn’t have enough swearing in it?)
You are very right though. Your style needs to match the situation. I would never write a client’s piece the same way that I do my own. I don’t write the same for magazines the same as I would my own work, or my client’s. However, I don’t think it matters how hard you try, your voice will still shine through the piece to a certain extent. I think when you find the perfect balance between the needs of the piece, and your own style, you have created the perfect written item.
Thank you very much for reading my work, and for sharing with us a great point!
Angie
For me, “quality content” is a combination of the information presented as well as the tone of the writing itself. You can be publishing nuggets of pure gold, but if the writing style is cold and impersonal it won’t grab people like if you let your personality shine through your writing.
There are a few blogs I’ve read (usually political ones) where I’ve totally disagreed with the writer’s philosophies, yet found myself returning to their blog again and again solely because their writing was entertaining. Their passion, humor and voice echoed through their writing and even though I couldn’t subscribe to their point of view I just had to keep reading because they had such a captivating style. To me, that’s quality content.
Rob McGuire’s last blog post..Blog For Your Readers And The SEO Benefits Will Follow
So very well said! I wish I’d have thought of that.
I find that I do the same thing. It also becomes a significant factor when deciding which blogs are my favorite. Those with a unique voice sift to the top of my RSS. The rest sink to the bottom. In that case, many of them will sit and build with unread posts until I have time to read them.
Personality sets the ‘great’ apart from the ‘good.’
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