There are over 133 million blogs worldwide according to Technorati, that means that unless you are writing about underwater basket weaving (I see that one mentioned a lot), chances are there is plenty of competition in your niche. To separate you from every other blogger, you should be providing something they are not. While this is very difficult in some niches, it is not impossible.
Some blogs stand out because of a great design, or custom widgets. I prefer the simple design and sometimes less is more.
With the vast amount of free information on the internet, most topics have been covered over and over again (I am quite sure this one has, but I didn’t look). So the question remains, what can you provide that your colleagues are not already providing?
Whether you are just learning how to blog, are trying to make money blogging, or are blogging for a business, if your stuff looks the same as everyone else stuff, then it will get lost in the shuffle.
Content comes first, it needs to be high quality, it should be published frequently, and it needs to be unique. I know, this is nothing you haven’t heard before. But it seems like many blogs I visit regurgitate the same information.
I think it is perfectly fine to write about topics that have been covered, because let’s face it, in some niches most everything has been covered. When you decide to cover a topic that has already been written about over and over, add your own persona to it. Here are a couple of ways that come to mind:
Those are just a couple of ideas that come to mind, but the main point is not to just re-write someone elses material.
Seeing so many articles everyday, it is rare that I come across someone that is thinking out side the box (including myself). It is easy to look toward those that are successful in your industry and just try to mimic it thinking that will work. The real question is, why would some come to your site if it is just like the next guys. So, be creative and try to come up with ideas that no one else has done.
A good example, not to toot my own horn, is that I try to write link roundups linking out to articles that stood out to me that week (or longer). This is very popular, and some blogger even set a schedule to do it on certain days every week. I decided that it would give more value to the reader and to the site you are linking to, if you wrote your link post in the same format as you would a regular post.
I would pick a few topics and use those as the headings to break up the post like normal, then write a short description of each article and link to it with anchor text instead of just the title. This make the link post easier to read, and surrounds the link in text instead of a long list. Thus making it better for the reader, as well as a better quality link.
Everyone seems to follow what is popular, like writing list posts, link round ups, etc… and I do the same thing, because it is popular and someone recommended to do it to get more traffic. Next time try to be the leader in your niche.
Related posts:
I think that the main way that bloggers can stand out is for bloggers to just be themselves. Because no one else can do that.
.-= Tom@Money Conversion´s last blog ..Money Conversion Calculator =-.
@Tom@Money Conversion,
Staying true to who you are and showing that through your blog is absolutely right.
Quit trying to be someone you’re not simply because no one else wants to be you so someone’s gotta be.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other =-.
I think making friends and networking with other bloggers is the best way to bring traffic to our blogs but the content is what keeps them coming back. Personally I give a lot of weight to personality. As far as looks goes, I’ve noticed a lot of popular blogs seem to be scaling back the heavy looking blogs and going with a much cleaner look. The Thesis theme seems to have started a trend. Yep, I think the content is what does it.
.-= Brian D. Hawkins´s last blog ..Meet The New HotBlogTips.com Admin =-.
@Brian D. Hawkins,
I have to agree. Making friends and actually getting to know someone makes it all worthwhile but actual killer content keeps the force behind people to return to your blog.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other =-.
@Brian D. Hawkins, Hey Brian, I love networking, hell that is how I ended up here!
I have been playing around with Thesis on another site I own, not sure if it is for me yet or not, we’ll see. I do agree that minimalist themes are becoming more popular these days though.
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Passion Without Knowledge Won’t Make You Money =-.
@Brian D. Hawkins,
I too agree with Brian, that it all starts with networking and getting some recognition for your hard work, which leads to some link luv, which leads to authority in Google’s eyes, which leads to that all important search traffic from the SERPS.
But as you said Keith, without the great content, none of the above can happen.
.-= JR @ Internet Marketing´s last blog ..The Ultimate and Best Content Spinner Ever =-.
@JR @ Internet Marketing, In order for it to work properly, you have to find the balance I think. But all parts must be running like a well oiled machine….
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Is Your Code Validated? =-.
Hi Keith,
I’ll agree, it looks like everything has been covered. Finding it is the problem. Also it helps if you can find someone whom you can relate to.
So going over the same subjects, makes that much needed information on those choosen niches readily available to those that need it, while attracting a following for yourself.
.-= Jeffrey´s last blog ..Build It And They Won’t Come =-.
@Jeffrey,
You said it!
Relating to someone and helping them in some way is something great you can do to really get yourself out there and provide value.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other =-.
I have to agree. I like the idea of standing out by hopefully, some day adding video comments and audio comments as well as text based.
I think this would kick butt and really add something to being unique and crazy.
What do you think?
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other =-.
@Eric, EXACTLY! That is creative, I think I have seen video comments on one other blog, but not on any of the hundreds I frequent right now in this niche.
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Article Promotion =-.
In the end, it’s also good to realize that there are only so many Copyblogger kind of blogs. And getting there takes time. So, setting your expectations realistically also helps. You may have a very very good blog, but it might still take you years to build a large loyal readership.
.-= Anne Moss´s last blog ..Managing the Content on Multiple Blogs =-.
@Anne Moss, I always say to look at it like starting a new business, chances are you will lose money in the first year, so be prepared for that. Fortunately for me, every business I have ever started made profits in the first year, but I didn’t expect it, so it was a nice surprise. The same goes for a blog, keep your expectations low for the first year.
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Passion Without Knowledge Won’t Make You Money =-.
I would have to think of my blog on a commercial perspective. If my blog gets direct advertisers, then I know that I’m on the right track. Advertisers select reputable blogs and if you’re one of them, that only means you’ve already standout.
.-= Mathdelane´s last blog ..Take the PowerPivot Excel-erator Quiz and Win a Dell ST2310 =-.
@Mathdelane, If you are targeting ads as your main source of income, then yes you could look at it that way.
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Passion Without Knowledge Won’t Make You Money =-.
I think also that sometime it’s good to go against the grain. Just because a whole lot of people say something is so doesn’t necessarily mean it is so, especially if most of them have just parroted each other.
I’ve found that it’s sometimes best to put your own personally spin on it, even if it goes against popular opinion.
.-= Sire´s last blog ..My Spin On The Squeeze Page And Email Lists =-.
@Sire, Going against the grain is a great way to attract a ‘buzz’ at your blog, especially with some controversy thrown in (tactfully of course). I think you hold that talent naturally and is one reason your readers are “close knit” and you continuously have tons of comments on your posts. Something to be said about that indeed….
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Passion Without Knowledge Won’t Make You Money =-.
@Keith Bloemendaal, Is that what I’m doing?
One thing to remember though is to always be mindful that it may create a bit of a stir and you have to be very tactful not to let it get out of control.
.-= Sire´s last blog ..My Spin On The Squeeze Page And Email Lists =-.
@Sire, Yes, I am learning that lesson the hard way right now. I let a few things get out of hand recently and lost a reader/commentor/friend because of it. Sometimes I type and hit “submit” before thinking and let the emotions get me…
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..The Part Of SEO You Are Missing =-.
@Keith Bloemendaal, Yeah, it’s not worth the angst Keith, and like someone told me once, you make one person happy and they may tell a couple of others, you piss one off and they will tell heaps of people.
Having a blog gives you the time to take a breath to think about how you’re going to reply so that you can always be diplomatic about it.
.-= Sire´s last blog ..My Spin On The Squeeze Page And Email Lists =-.
Keith,
Great post and like the new site.
I have to agree with you on all of your points. If I found an article that I like or dislike. I like to right a short article about the article why I agree or disagree with it and put link to the article. I try and at least get a 100-300 word count on it.
.-= element321´s last blog ..Blogging Tips # 2 – Blogging Advice from a Pro =-.
@element321, I like to do the same, sometimes I go longer than 300 words though, depends on how much I disagree usually though
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Is Your Code Validated? =-.
Unique content is fine and dandy; however I personally think bloggers need to learn how to rehash articles correctly; making it unique content…and better.
I rehash all the time, on purpose. I see plenty of unique articles, but if you need a dictionary and thesaurus to get through it, it’s useless.
I get thanks all the time for my “uniqueness” with statements like, “I’ve seen this 100 times, and finally it makes sense.”
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Welcome Aboard Part 2! All The Info You’ve Been Waiting For… =-.
@Dennis Edell, You are definitely thinking outside the box with your new site, exactly the kind of stuff I am talking about!
@Keith Bloemendaal, Thanks.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Welcome Aboard Part 2! All The Info You’ve Been Waiting For… =-.
At this point, I think my blog is starting to stand out. More than 600 posts in two years and it’s growing every day. Of course, I think people come every day just to look at the picture of me holding a parrot. lol
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Content Is An Electronic Emperor =-.
@Mitch, It is a nice looking parrot!
I think your blog is starting to standout, you have great content and a following.
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..The Part Of SEO You Are Missing =-.
Great 133 million blogs a huge community of blogs in technorati . Dear friend you stressed on one thing again and again is the Quality Content . One post daily with good informative content is enough to comes in the eye of google and readers.
hey man, less is definitely more. I totally love the outlay of your blog – Clean, Crisp and loaded with thought inspiring content.
I think every blogger can be unique and successful if they understand the basics and maximize their uniqueness without trying to be another A-lister.
They should also see their blogs as businesses or babies that will not become successful overnight or become a 21-year old a month after birth.
Cheers
@Olusegun, Very well put Olusogun. I noticed you guest posting in a couple of other sites I read, I would love for you to guest post here if you have the time, fill out the contact form on my contact page if you are game….
Thanks for the comment!
.-= Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Where Are Your Readers? =-.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by John Sullivan, Robert Bravery, Brian D. Hawkins, AussieSire, Keith and others. Keith said: Does Your Blog Stand Out? http://tinyurl.com/y9ta4m6 [...]
Standing out is hard to do “well”. Anyone can stand out. But to stand out well requires taking that extra step so that people remember you in a positive way. It may mean creating exceptional content, or simply helping someone when no one else is stepping up to the plate. Being able to do that in a blog setting isn’t always easy, but if you manage it, you will be remembered in the way that matters most.
@Keith Bloemendaal, Found it in the NOFF settings
comluv is not do-follow too, thanks john, I didn’t even notice it before you said that!