How to you do this for your blog? I am sorely tempted to use the "it's not rocket science" cliche, but the truth is simple - you just have to have a plan and follow it.
Find your voice One important aspect of fresh content is that it sounds original, it sounds unique and it has an original spin to it.
It's not rehashing old blog post or articles.
It's about looking at a customer's problem and approaching it from a new angle, with a strong voice.
For a lot of bloggers, their voice is also their personality.
When they write they infuse their content with wry, caustic or friendly observations.
They can take an authoritative tone and still come across friendly.
Your voice should appeal to your niche and be true to who you are.
If you can't write an article infused with sweetness, light, fairies and unicorns then don't try.
Listen to your words and what parts of your voice come through and then polish that aspect.
Your unique take on something As well as offering a unique, strong voice your content should present a topic from a unique angle or perspective.
Let's dig a little deeper.
One of the first types of blog post a business blogger will write is a "how-to" article.
And if you are in a crowded niche, the chances are your audience has already read every post and every how-to tutorial available.
If you write something the chances are you will write something similar, albeit unintentionally so.
So you need to add your own flair and perspective to that article, you need to tailor it right down to your niche and create something that resonates with them.
Example: "How to write a blog post", the bog standard how-to post will probably list steps like
- Have a compelling heading
- Break down into steps or digestible chunks
- Add screen shots
- Complete with a call to action
It could include pictures of the children helping with each step.
It could include light hearted references to making sure the kids and hubby are asleep before you start to create your post.
A unique perspective might be creating the post with drawings from the kids, or video instructions from the little ones to go with your written guidelines.
Adding a unique perspective will make something that's been written about a thousand times already, makes it fresh.
Make it topical Topical content is fresh content, it's a new take on current issues.
Fresh content doesn't rehash the same old stuff over and over again, even if new information is provided when you create it.
When you create fresh content, you'll want it to encompass up to the minute techniques, the latest resources, data that's accurate and it will be unique and valuable to your ideal reader.
So how do you provide unique, current and valuable content to your readers? Listen and observe is my first tip - what are readers responding to? What is pressing their buttons? What are they sharing? Go over your analytics.
Request feedback and take another look at your comments.
Go and observe what's happening on popular blogs and what the readers are saying there.
Keep up to date with industry news Make sure you have a list of every valuable blog in your niche, that you read every magazine, that you follow the writers on Twitter and observe what they are sharing.
Add the feeds to your Google Reader and "skim" the headlines and excerpts.
This tip alone will generate fresh article topics, so you'll never have blogger's block again! Be consistent.
Create a content plan and make sure it includes topics and headlines that interest your reader.
Be consistent with your format and make sure you adhere to your publishing schedule.
Make sure each article is fresh and has your own perspective in it, and link out to other strong, fresh articles.
When you provide fresh, exhilarating content that speaks to your ideal reader, you'll find your blogging will be far more powerful and you'll be at the top of your niche very swiftly.