Originality: Asking too much?
July 02, 2008 · Filed under: Thoughts. Online.
This blog has been a long time coming. I’ve been thinking about this topic for the past couple of weeks and never got to write about it because of everything else that was going on—moving servers, Fuse magazine, a new layout, new content, etc. Throughout all of that, however, this topic kept nagging at me. And regardless of the responses I get, I need to get it out there before I explode.
It’s practically common knowledge now (or at least, I hope it is) that most bloggers write to entertain or engage their visitors. Most bloggers like getting comments, and why wouldn’t they? Feedback is a sign of interest; an encourager of sorts. It is my personal belief that in order to get that feedback or response, bloggers will go out of their way to blog about topics they’re sure will warrant that response. Topics such as online drama, online pet peeves, “site reviews,” etc. There isn’t a problem with these topics per se. I, for one, love to read them myself, but my issue (if you could call it that) with it all is that: it’s all been done before.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read articles on personal pet peeves, or an unrequested site review, or better yet, “behaviors” seen during drama. I have a few of those articles tucked away somewhere in this website, and other webmasters that have been in the game long enough have them as well. I guess it wouldn’t bother me so much if the bloggers who brought up these much-discussed topics would bring something new to the table. And I’m willing to admit that some have, but most haven’t. And that all boils down to originality. When bringing up these topics I hope it’s a new voice, a new idea, a new solution—give me something. If you’re going to write an article, give your readers something new, because more likely than not, your readers have read it all before, and if that’s the case what was the point of writing it in the first place?
This reminds me of a recent blog of mine that had been discussed before by a writer I consider better than myself. It was an honest accident, I seriously had no idea the topic had been discussed before, but had I done my research, I could’ve linked my visitors and be on my way, rather than spend an hour writing that blog. I’m glad I brought a few new points, and because of that I don’t see it as a complete waste of time, but it’s a small consolation in my eyes.
I try very hard to provide something new for my visitors, and if I have failed you in any way, please let me know, because although others might proclaim that their website is for “them”, that’s not my viewpoint at all. I have this website to share my thoughts, yes, but I want to share them with you. And frankly, I want to keep you. Not because this website is my life, or I have no other means to find a community of people, but because I like what I have here, the hard work I’ve put into it, and the little soapbox that I realize I have because of this website, along with the readers who comment and share their opinions right back.
My suggestion for the bloggers that seem to be scraping the barrel (and I very much understand that it’s probably not their intent—but the blogs and articles are still there): Stick to what you know best, find your voice, aim to bring something new to the table, write about something new and give it a personal twist, but more importantly, engage your readers and keep their interest because like I said before, chances are they’ve seen it all. Visitors are fickle beings. One day they’ll love your blog, and the next thing you know, they won’t return. And if you (like me) cherish those visitors and that small sense of community, you’ll realize that it’s too big a gamble, and too high a price.