Do you believe in your content?

Over at Disruptive Thoughts, Fraser Kelton continued an interesting theme sparked by Kent Newsome. See: "Really believe in your content" (by Fraser) and "10/90 and the Rule of the Reallies" (by Kent)

Both postings explore this quandary: Every blogger loves to spark conversation (especially via comments, and via related and linked postings in other blogs). However, in most blogs only a fraction of postings attract any postings at all -- and even fewer (Kent assumes 10%) spark a significant level of conversation (a thread of a few comments or more)

How can bloggers make more of their postings generate more conversation? (And hence, more visibility)...

Kent's post offered his "Rule of the Reallies," which is intended to inspire more conversation-worthy posts. That's well worth reading, so go read it.

To Kent's piece, I commented:

"Excellent post, Ken, and thanks for mentioning me in such esteemed company.

"IMHO, all of your 'reallies' (which are great) are subsets of this one: Be really engaging.

"When I say 'engaging,' think of it in terms of gears turning -- the teeth catching on each other and helping each other turn. Understand your audience's perspective and share something with them that they'll really (viscerally) be able to 'grab on to.' In that sense, writing is a gut-level experience.

"And of course, that perspective yields one more 'really' -- be real. That is, be authentic, transparent, and human. Speak plainly, and don't try to be remote or aloof unless that's how you genuinely feel. It's just easier for people to relate to what you say when you sound human.

"IMHO, of course."

...Then, Fraser wrote in his post (also worth reading): "I’d like to add another 'really.' I bet Kent agrees with me: Really believe in your content. By believing in the strength and quality of the post and referencing it in future conversations it may still stimulate the discussion and conversation you thought it could. This is especially true for those looking to build their audience."

Great point! There, I left this comment:

"Great post, Fraser. Yes, I agree, I think believing in your content — that is, that you’re saying something that genuinely matters, at least to you — is key. This is why I actually recommend that most people DON’T blog daily, and especially not multiple times daily, unless the purpose of their blog is specifically just quick tidbits.

"Quality is more important than quantity, most of the time. If you’re just spewing random stuff to which you haven’t given much thought, chances are most of it doesn’t matter much, even to you.

"I know others disagree with me on this. For instance, many people love Dave Winer’s blog, and he pretty much just lets you in on his stream of consciousness. So that’s just my take on it."

...It's a intriguing conversation, I think. What do you think? Comment below, or on Kent's or Fraser's postings (linked above).

PS: This posting is an example of leveraging my comments to create a posting.

Comments

[Kathy Hale]

Hi, Amy,
Your "gears turning" metaphor is a strong visual for this process, and I'm happy that you posted your collected comments. As you explore this option, I hope you'll write about how it affects your content focus (and your blog traffic..)

On the content vs. stream of conscious writing, I find I can't follow someone else's brain on an SOM jaunt. Hell, I can't follow my own. Getting my gears to mesh with someone elses is going to have to be around content and, as you say, humanity.

Kathy Hale