How to Write Original Content

Do you ever get stuck finding which topic to write about? It can get challenging writing new blogs, especially if you know other bloggers have done it better. Every blogger or content marketer hits a wall and wonders what’s the next best blog post to write. Perhaps you could do keyword research or find a list of topics that other bloggers have provided. But you scratch your head and think, how can I make this better? How can I make this original? Find out more about how to write original content and how it’s advantageous.

Why Should You Write Valuable, Original Content

Before we get to how to write original content, let’s first learn why it’s important to write original content. Here are the three main reasons why you should write original content.

Keeps Your Website Online

One of the most important reasons to write valuable and original content for your blog is because of Google. The details are far too technical to explain. But in SEO, when you post relevant and valuable blog content, visited by many people through search, Google may view your blog as trustworthy. Thus, you may earn a place in higher ranks.

Search Engine Journal also says that you shouldn’t forget formatting and search intent. This also helps you earn a spot on top pages.

One other thing to remember is if Google finds that your content is plagiarized, you will get penalized. This will have a bearing on your site’s Google ranking or even compromise the existence of your site. 

Make sure that the content you produce won’t be flagged on CopyScape or Grammarly as plagiarized. This way, your blogs remain accessible to your audience. Plus, this will allow you to publish more original content.

Stand Out from the Competition

If your competition is also doing content marketing and blogging, you want people visiting your site. Valuable and original content will enable you to become their go-to source. Not only will you have a leg up on competitors, but you will also become an authority. As for individuals, you would become a thought leader.

Get More Visibility

When writing an original blog post, not only should you think about the content, but factors that will make your blog become more visible.

Aside from creating original content, you need to ensure that you have these blog post components in mind:

• Keywords – If you want people to flock to your blog, the right keywords can bring your readers to the site.
• Images – You can expect people to stay on the blog post page if you have images since you get more views when you include photos. You can consider infographics, charts, and screenshots as images.
• Links – When it comes to links, it’s related to SEO. There are two types, which are internal and external. Internal links are helpful because you’re creating site architecture. On the other hand, external links send a signal that you’re linking to a site that’s valuable, relevant, and trustworthy. In turn, this may help build your relationship with the external site.
• Shareable social media buttons – If your post is compelling enough, readers may consider sharing it on their social media accounts. This will make your blog post become visible.

How to Write Original Content

Many would say it can become challenging to create original content. It’s true; after all, we get our ideas and thoughts from things that have already happened or existed. But what we can do is put our own spin on the content we produce to make it seem original. 

Here’s how to write original content for your blog.

Do Your Own Study or Research

One way to create original content is to conduct a study or research. Ever notice that some blogs would add their case studies as their blog post? That’s how they distinguish themselves from other companies or blogs.

One such example comes from Diggity Marketing. He writes case studies on his blogs, making them original content. He compiles data and analyzes it to see the results. Then, he publishes it for the world to see.

Include Your Thoughts or Ideas On the Blog

Caroline Forsey makes a great point about creating original content in a Hubspot post. Her words were simple: put your ideas, thoughts, or examples into the blog. The ratio of her “original” content is 60:40—60 obtained from other writers or blogs, 40 comes from her.

That’s how you can still produce original content for your blog. You want to know why bloggers like Pat Flynn and Gary Vaynerchuk are successful? They have something valuable to say to their audience. If you insert your thoughts or opinions, or points of view, you can certainly follow Forsey’s practice in creating an original blog post.

Draw From Experience

According to WPBeginner, here are some of the most popular blog types:

• Food
• Fashion
• DIY
• Music
• Lifestyle
• Fitness

Even if bloggers from these niches discuss the same topics, you know what makes their blog posts original? Their experience. They will bring a different perspective to the table and put it out there for others to read.

Let’s say there are two travel bloggers. Both of them went to one country. They might have gone to the same cities and ate the same food. Their blog post content may have the same words, but how they spent their time there makes the post original.

Here are examples from A Broken Backpack and Dan Flying Solo. You see how they wrote their blogs about the Czech Republic. It may have the same idea, but the way they approached writing the blog is different.

Use Insights from Experts, Employees, or Clients or Customers

Aside from your insight, it’s best to consult other people for quotes or ideas. This will help your case in creating original content for your blog.

One type of blog is a roundup post, which usually consists of experts that provide their pearls of wisdom. The roundup post is a common type of content to publish, but the blog topic you plan on writing may have not yet been tackled. What you can do here is to email experts or influencers in the field or send them a message through social media.

To get an idea of how effective roundup posts can be, Tor Refsland shared that he racked up 20,000+ page views in 6 days.

As for employees, clients, or customers, this is what you call employee or user-generated content. With their inputs, you can get more ideas to produce high-quality and original content. 

Plus, for those with clients or customers, sharing their content can act as social proof. Customers may be more open to sharing photos or videos of themselves using your services or products. This will give you more content to share on your blog posts.