How to Write Extremely Good Content

I think we all can agree that content is what drives every blog, at least so I hope. So well it’s really important that your content is good. But well, we all have different views on what good content is. In this post I’m going to describe what I mean good content is and really how I think you should write it. Content is queen. Not king, queen.

Let’s get started!

What’s Good Content?

We all have different opinions, that’s what makes humanity so beautiful (okay, Mikkel, stop that poetic shit!) But well, we have different opinions on good content, as well as how we define good movies, good books etc.

So writing good content can’t be fucking hard, it really is, you can’t get everybody to like your content, that really is impossible. Like everybody doesn’t like my kind of music. The most people(everybody) from my class hates my music, but I think it’s wonderful! So it’s hard to make art, not everybody will like it and that’s how it is.

So there’s no definition of good content, we can only, sit down and decide what we think is good content and I’ve done that and therefore I can conclude what I think my audience would like – and nevertheless what I like. So if you don’t like this content, just fuck off! -just kidding. Feel free to complain, but I don’t think much will change, of course if you’re coming with some tips I maybe could include some stuff there. (Okay, already too long paragraph)

Content Which is Unique is Good, I Presume?

I love unique content. Who doesn’t? Unique content is important for your blog to stay in sight. To get out of the crowded niche, you might be in. It’s hard to do that, especially if your niche is crowded like the “health-niche” or the “mmo-niche” that’s niches that really is crowded so it is important to do something unique.

Unique content is something that hasn’t been written before. Keep in mind that it can be hard, as you might get your inspiration from elsewhere, but it shouldn’t be impossible as everybody doesn’t know everything.

So well, unique content is good and every single blog should have it own uniqueness, in it self.

A question you need to ask your self: “How is my blog different from all the other blogs in my niche?”

Entertaining, is Key

Everybody loves to be entertained. Who doesn’t? People also read blogs to be entertained, not only to get knowledge. You should write as entertaining as possible, you shouldn’t be serious all the time.

Try to entertain your audience as much as possible, just don’t get too bizarre, you know what I mean.

People get to blogs to get laughs. So if your blog could be educational but still funny, that would just be a plus.

Your Blog is Useful Isn’t it?

I think this is quite obvious your blog should be useful, if you are trying to learn people stuff it really should be useful. I think the most of you guys and girls want to educate your readers and that’s one of the reasons why you blog.

But is your blog useful?

Do some research before you try to publish anything, is it relevant or isn’t it? Do your researches well, that’s really important.  When you want to build useful content, you also need to research your readership. You could ask your readers some questions if your blog is satisfying, or what they think is needed, etc.

Ask yourself why your favorite blog is attracting for readers?

Make it Easy

People tend not to stay on blogs for that long, my avg. time is 3 minutes and 28 seconds, so I try to make my posts as scannable as possible, which means that people easily can jump to what they want to read.

You can make your posts much better for the people who are in a hurry. By using:

Lists – a post that has the headline “Top Ten Ways to Build a Better Blog” or something like that.

Formatting – this is where you are using bold, underlining and italic writing, to highlight words.

Subheadings – I like to use those a lot, it’s the h3-tag I’m using to make my subheadings.

Short paragraphs – this is something you need to do to make your content easier to read, that also makes it faster to read.

Easy word - Use simple words, when you’re writing on a blog, you don’t need to impress your English teacher, nor do you need to write impressive words. You really just need to write in a simple language, so everybody can understand what you want to say.

You need to work hard and produce content that can easily be scanned.

Hope this “tutorial” helped you to write better content.

What’s your thoughts about how to write better content? Please share in comments.

How to Avoid Writer’s Block?

I thought lots of you guys may have achieved a writer’s block, while you have had your holidays. I know I once had such thing. No shame there, Joel Comm had one too and everybody needs room and time off. If we just worked every single day for 15 years, we would burn out, if you don’t then I wanna bet you aren’t a human.

You just need those breaks, which I definitely understand why.

Anyway, my #1 tip for avoiding writer’s block is “give yourself some space”

“Try drawing or painting a scene you’re working on. Often this will help free up your imagination” – Kevin Henkes

That was a quote, to be honest, that doesn’t work for me, anyway… It might work for you, I don’t know, not at all.

When you have had a writer’s block for a couple of days and just can’t get started, then you need to force yourself to write just something. Writer’s block, will probably slow your writing a lot and your imagination, which means that you wouldn’t be able to come up with topics to write about.

But of course, if you force yourself to write and just really are being productive (the guide on productivity will be found here), if you do that, then you probably will be able to get started writing just a bit. Start out maybe with some smaller posts (200-300) words per blog post and then increase each blog post till you reach its largest (which is how many words you wanna write on your blog, for each blog post.)

Another quote:

“I think writer’s block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if you sit down at the keys long enough, sooner or later something will come out.” by Roy Blount, Jr.

I definitely agree with the last point of Roy’s quote, that’s true. Remember use the productivity guide here, very important when you try to find the writer you really are.

“Writer’s block is definitely a topic that bore, me, well I hate it even more when I have it.” by Mikkel Juhl

A little quote about writer’s block, from me, hope you enjoy it.

“Don’t write what you know—what you know may bore you, and thus bore your readers. Write about what interests you—and interests you deeply—and your readers will catch fire at your words.” by Valerie Sherwood

Enough quotes for today.

Well I think that, you just need to get started with writing again when you have a writer’s block. Then you will suddenly fell, like you do not “have” writer’s block anymore.

I hope you are not getting a writer’s block, anytime soon – or that you have it.

Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

Sometime ago I thought about one thing, actually because I was asked a question. I went something like this: “I have a hard time coming up with new blog post topics every day, where do you get your ideas from. You write everyday, for me that’s like a lot.”

I haven’t replied yet, because I actually needed some time to think about this. I couldn’t answer it right away. This may seem quite weird, well at least I think it is. So well I “studied” my method a bit and I found the answer.

I got my ideas from various places.

• Magazines
• Other blogs
• Comments
• Emails
• YouTube videos
• Music
• Forums

That’s just some of those. But I believe that, thinking was my biggest source of ideas.

You know, when I was lying in bed, just before I was going to sleep – I just got lots of ideas, but currently I don’t get these ideas. I haven’t had them for like 2-3 weeks – which is quite weird. They just disappeared.

I think those ideas who come straight from the heart is truly great and they often is more spectacular than all the posts you get when you look at other blogs etc.

Now this isn’t a problem for me at all. That isn’t why I haven’t been publishing something everyday – only the second. It’s mainly because I want to relax in the holidays and you know, I’m still passionate about this, so that can’t be why, I’m not getting these ideas anymore.

But you, see.. That’s not what I was wanting to talk about. What I really wanted to talk about was, that I really think that you should try and list everything you get ideas from. Because if there’s one or two days you can’t find a single topic to write about, then you will know where to go, to get some inspiration.

I have done so know and I really think that it’s like much easier to come up with a topic. Especially because I have joined ProBlogger.community, they really gives you something to think about there etc. awesome community, much better that free forums to be honest.

When Nothing Works

When I really struggle, I am brainstorming about topics. Get in a relaxing mood and then think and find your passion. Close your eyes. What comes to your mind? Anything useful?

I really love to use this method, when I am fully empty, it helps me a lot. I hope you enjoy this splendid day!

What’s Your Take?

Where do you find your inspiration? Please share in the comments field.

Follow up on The YouTube Video About Podcasting

A couple of days ago, I was talking in a video about audio podcasting. Now I’m writing a follow up post, so if you like text more you can just read some of the most relevant stuff here.

A podcast is simply an audio (video podcast is video) where a person (you) is talking about something. It can be an interview, reader question or a story (but more on that later.)

Podcasts is very powerful, lots of people with blogs doesn’t realize that this is so powerful. People love to share it on social media – the key thing is also that the reader can do something else while learning. I know some bloggers hide between the lines. They only write they don’t try these successful methods, they are much more powerful.

Not only the social media world loves podcasts, I bet your readers also likes podcasts. I think, you should try and record a podcast and see what people thinks about it. How good is the response?

What You Need?

To get started with podcasting, you actually doesn’t need a thing if you own a laptop with a recording device in it.

Otherwise, if you do not have a laptop with a recording device included, buy a headset with a microphone, those aren’t expensive – quite cheap IMO.

So you need

• Headset or a device that can record (could be a laptop)
• Software (all are free, Audacity (just do a Google search) if Windows or Linux – if Mac the in-built iLife: Garage Band)

What To Talk About?

Many people get confused when they have decided they want to record a podcast, then they suddenly get a “blackout” they don’t know what to talk about. It actually isn’t that much needed, you can seriously talk about anything. Talk about what you write about.

You can talk about a reader question you’ve got, maybe do an interview (you can use Skype) or just start with a story and then end of with having a point. The story will make people relate and they want to continue to listen.

I think “story-podcasts” are the most powerful – because if you start a story people will be listening to the end – just keep the story related to the point.

If you have intentions of making a long podcast you should write a script or just some keywords on a paper. Just be sure you don’t get all to distracted to the paper.

Do your best to prepare. You need somewhat preparation to start speaking unless you want to make your podcasts straight from the heart – but always keep in mind you need a topic to talk about

If you feel best if you have a script, practice as much as possible. You shouldn’t be addicted to the paper and do never read the text, talk the text.

After You Have Recorded

..you might want to do a bit of editing, you can do that in Garage Band (Mac) or Audacity (Windows and Linux), there you can add melodies, maybe in the start add a jingle – that you have in each podcast.

You should save it in the audio format “MP3″ – it’s a cross-platform audio file. Everybody will be able to listen to it.

But in the end it should be quite easy. Use the plugin called podPress – follow the instructions.

If you want to watch the video about podcasting just click

Then rock and roll!

DaneBlogger on UStream TONIGHT!

I just want to inform you, that I’m going to set up a show today. My first live show on UStream. I hope you are coming. We are going to talk about blogging/Internet marketing and just you know chilling.

You are definitely going to learn something today, if you are willing to watch this.

The time is (Eastern) 08:00:00 p.m. Friday November 20, 2009 (EST)

The time is (Central European Time) 02:00:00 a.m Saturday November 20, 2009 (CET)

The dates are not the same because it’s to different time zones, I hope you will come watch the show. It’s really going to be exciting!

You can watch the show on UStream.tv – DaneBlogger’s Live Internet Marketing Show

How To Use White Papers to Build Your List

The first time I heard the term “white paper” I was thinking: “Is this another boring thing?” Then I realized that it actually is a really powerful marketing tool. When I heard the term white papers a few more times I really started to realize how you can use this and that you definitely should add this as a huge marketing tool.

What Exactly is a White Paper?

A white paper is a document (normally a PDF file) that will inform/teach people a particular topic or issue. These days, white papers is being used by many at the web2.0 and you can in a white paper cover whatever you like to cover. The difference between a white paper and an ebook is that you normally doesn’t sell white papers. You sell ebooks.

Generally a white paper is download-able from a blog/site in PDF format. The only “payment (call it whatever you like)” is the name and email the potential customer is giving you in return of a free document. Just because you aren’t selling a white paper, doesn’t mean you can’t earn on a white paper. It definitely is a powerful marketing tool, which you definitely shouldn’t miss.

White papers can help you build your list and get the influence to make people buy other of your products, it will definitely increase your credibility. It will create backlinks and traffic back to your site.

To give your white paper the most effect you need to educate the public that want to read the white paper. This will help your reputation and set you in a position as an expert in your niche/market. The white papers that has most success is the informal white papers, because people actually can use this white paper.

The simplest question you can ask yourself to determine if you have a successful topic is: “Does this topic provide a solution to a problem?” If the answer is yes, then you should keep doing what you do.

The Two Rules You Should Remember

Brand yourself on every single page,You should not place an enormous logo or link on each page. You need to have a location at every page in the white paper, where people can identify you as the source for the knowledge. Whether it’s a link at the top of the page, or next to the page numbers.

Vreate backlinks in the white paper. Be sure to make places where you are pointing straight to your blog/site, to make some traffic in the white paper. Just keep it relevant.

Enjoy rest of your day!

With Who? Or With Whom?

I have read lots of articles on the web, with people writing who, when they should have been written whom. I know lots of people don’t know when to use whom. I understand. I know I’m not totally perfect grammatical, far from. Punctuation neither isn’t “my” thing.

I just wanted to give you a lesson in “who” and “whom”. “Who/whoever” are subjective pronouns and “whom/whomever” are in the objective case. As simple and important this is, lots of people have had a hard time deciding when to use what.

The two sentences below illustrates the easy usage of “who” and “whom” Where “who” is the subjective and “whom” is the objective.

Who is the bank rubber?

The men, four of whom are ill, were indicted for fraud

When “who,” aren’t the main subject in a sentence people easily become confused. They tend to change “who” to “whom”.

It was Thomas Jefferson, I think, who was the third president of the United States.

Just notice that “who” not “whom” is the correct form as the subject of the clause that follows. The proper name, Thomas Jefferson, could be substituted by “who” to make a perfect sentence:

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States

To be able to do that in such sentences, just substitute the personal pronoun “he/him” or “she/her” for “who/whom.” If he or she would be the correct form, the choice would be “who.” If it was “him” or “her” it would be correct to use “whom.”

This is a technique I use quite often when I am changing to whom – It works nicely when you have a hard time using “who” or “whom.”

Even when the word order must be altered slightly, you can use the technique:

Mr. Juhl was helping a person writing whom he met in France. (He met him in France)

Louise is the girl who works for me (She works for me)

Whom can we turn to in a time of crisis? (Can we turn to her?)

And now, I want to test you… It quite hard, you have to think a bit, at least some have.

I decided to vote for whoever/whomever” called me first

It’s “whoever.” Even though you can read it as “I decided to vote for him” (which would make it “whomever”), the entire phrase “(he) called me first” is the object of the preposition “for.” So, it’s “whoever.”

3 Simple Rules to Follow

Rule #1:

Substitute “he/him” or “she/her”:  If it’s either “he/she,” then it’s “who;” if it’s “him/her,” then it’s “whom.”

Rule #2:

Every verb with a tense in a sentence must have a subject. And that word is always in the nominative case, so it’s “who.” For example: in this sentence, “I decided to vote for whoever called me first”:

• “I” is the subject of “decided”
• “he” is the subject of the verb “called.”

Rule #3:

If it take longer than 15 seconds to figure out for you which one to choose. Read it out loud and just write what sounds best. Why? Because even grammarians are likely to squabble over which to use. But always — always — apply rules #1 and #2 before using Rule #3.

Btw. It is With Whom – If you aren’t sure by now

Have an awesome day!

11 Ways to Add Variation to Blog Posts

Variation is important if you want your readers to stay on your blog, if you serve a variation of content on your blog you will be able to keep them at your blog. Because it’s much more fun to read for the reader.

If you add variation to your blog posts I think you will be able to get a longer avg. time on site (Google Analytics) because then the reader will open their eyes and read/watch/listen in longer time because of the variation

The last months I have asked myself how I could add some variation on my blog, to make you more satisfied. So I have brainstormed and mind-mapped a lot lately and the outcome of that is this blog post.

To add some variation you could do things like this:

1. Adding a video related to the blog post (even make a whole blog post a video)
2. The readers should learn something, so some how tos.
3. Posting photos – Eventually cartoons that makes sense. Keep it related to the blog post.
4. Doing list posts – 3 Ways to Name Your Dog
5. Do a series. 5-more blog posts about a specific topic, that you like writing about.
6. Interviews. Interview a blogger/person related to your niche, it could be just text version or you could record the interview.
7. Adding reader questions, this also shows that you care about your readers.
8. Assignment, you could each Friday give your readers something to do and then report back when they have done it.
9. Reviews – There shouldn’t be to many of these, but some is could once in a while.
10. Case studies – Take another site (or so) and then profilize them, what are the wrongs and the rights.
11. Research blog posts – Look at different aspects of you niche. Research can take lots of time, but the blog posts you are able to produce afterwards are amazing. The numbers you include etc.

Try use some of these methods, they are quite good I think, also to get some variation. Variation always is good!

Enjoy your day!

How to Write Better Content: Treat Your Blog Like Your Child

I see those blogs everyday. You keep seeing them, the blogs that has no quality at all in their blog posts. In some way I hate those blogs, because they usually have no value in their blog posts at all. I hate when I write short blog posts, I don’t know why. I just like to write the long blog posts, it kinda looks nicer on the frontpage I think.

But short is better than nonsense, right?

How to Write Cookie Content

Cookie content, is content that is worth reading. It is content that tastes good. Cookie content is like my blog post: how to decide your blogging platform. Every blogger with respect for his/hers blog have written at lease one cookie blog post.

People use way to much time on Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites and keep promoting their lousy blog posts. These techniques are great. But they doesn’t help, when you promote a bad article.

On the other hand, if you promote a wonderfully written article people will retweet it and first by then you will see the true value of Twitter! You see CopyBlogger, almost everyone of his blog posts is retweeted over 250 times.

Writing a cookie blog post, can be hard for somebody, for others it is easy. It takes some time to write a quality blog post, also to get every view of the case in the blog post.

If you have that kind of problems. Only writing 100-words blog posts, you might need to buy a notepad. With the notepad, you should begin brainstorm about your topic. When you have done that, you should do some mind-mapping (Bubbl.us is a free mind-mapping application).

If you are a student like me, you may know how to do this very well. I think I do it once every week in school, so I know the procedure. It is quite easy, just taking a pen, write down everything you comes into your mind. With the mind-mapping you try to expand the ideas a bit more.

So cookie content can be a long blog post, with your opinion in it or it can be short blog posts still with your opinion in it. The cookie content blog post is entertaining, well structured. That makes the article digestible (which of course is a good thing).

It could be a tutorial (which reminds me of, you should be excited about monday!), it could be a recipe on apple pies, it could be everything, it just need value (and be entertaining).

value+marketing=traffic

That is the formula for creating traffic if you would like to know.

Cookie content, is really treating your blog readers the way they want to be treated, with a nice written blog post.

15 Consistent Ways to Grow Your Blog

1. write something that makes sense
2. write something people want to read
3. write something people never have heard of before
4. be the first to write something
5. write something that teaches people to do something
6. write something that helps people with a problem
7. write something that make people read
8. write something that inspire people
9. write something about your passion
10. analyse news, to make people understand the news
11. write something that tells a story
12. write with sense of humor, that makes people laugh
13. write something that makes it possible to safe time or money
14. write something that is your resource
15. write something that is ‘cool’/trending topic on twitter