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Fresh Content

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There is no way around it. One of the only ways to really get ahead in executing a compelling and engaging online social media program it to constantly and consistently produce fresh content.

It’s almost laughable to read some of the Blogs and online columns about how to build your network of connections, or how to optimize your online environments if you really don’t have the time, effort and insight to focus on creating fresh and energized content. All of the "friends" and all of the links in the world won’t save you or help make anything you’re doing a real success. The true value in anything you’re doing is going to be based on how much relevant and powerful content you are producing for your audience and community.

This is why it can’t only be about Twitter and commenting on other Blogs.

Twitter does produce some of the freshest content on the Web, but it’s getting increasingly more difficult to really wrap your head (hands or any other part of your body) around it. There are just too many brilliant 140-character blasts to really shine above all of the clutter. As best as I can see it, Twitter is an amazing supplement to a more strategic core focus on creating content where Twitter adds some colour, links and insights to your larger conversation.

It’s not just about creating a Blog.

While anyone can Blog, it doesn’t mean that everyone should Blog (clarification: when it comes to a business Blog, proceed with caution. If it’s for personal use, Blog away!). So, the question becomes: what kind of fresh content can you create? Is it text, audio, video or images?

Producing fresh content will help grow your business in four unique ways:

1. In the loop. Forcing yourself to constantly come up with something fresh will really keep you on top of your industry and how things are evolving.

2. The Long Tail. By having a steady flow of fresh content, over time you will build up a never-ending supply of traffic with links and other cool stuff that will help your ranking in the search engines.

3. People will want to connect to you. Great content does find its audience. Over time, people will come to know you, will want to connect with you and will be there for you to help your business build, grow and become successful.

4. You will understand your customers better. By listening to the comments and seeing how people find your content and connect to it, you will have some amazing insights into what your customers really want, what their level of knowledge is, and how you can better serve their needs.

Anything else to add or is creating fresh content overrated?

13 comments

  1. The beauty in creating fresh content is not just in the volume of traffic and audience, but in the quality as well. Those seeking unique and valuable perspectives will seek out others who share their passion for great writing.

  2. You can almost use the old adage of, you get what you pay for… although on the web you don’t necessarily have to pay to read good content. Fresh content will attract attention and fans which in turn allows one to leverage the other mediums such as twitter, FB, etc… Poor, stale content gets the opposite reaction – less and less attention over time.

  3. New content is the essence of communication in our world. It start from the very way we ask what is new to our friend when we meet them. Its the same principle on the news media we feed and reassure ourselves with knowledge or our environment.

  4. With information so readily available, the only way to truly establish yourself as a leader in your field is with fresh content that is useful and informative for your readers. The last thing you ever want to do is waste their time with rehashing content that someone has done before.

  5. Great post. It’s hard to imagine that fresh content can be overrated? When writing a blog, it sometimes seems that ‘everything’ has already been said. It is difficult to find that new fresh perspective each time. But this post is a great example of just that – adding a bit of fresh content and a new angle that I haven’t quite heard before. I like your summarization of the benefits of ‘producing fresh content’. It really focuses you on how/why to write a blog post (or tweet). Thanks.

  6. Mitch, I’ve been creating more regular content (posts, photos & soon video) this year. I’m finding that my network of people I’m meeting has grown with it. This has pushed me to keep it up and get more of my ideas & creative spirit out there.
    I think this has been the hardest part for clients to understand. They don’t view this like tending to a garden that needs regular maintenance but more like a one time transaction.
    I think the other benefit is that it makes you a better writer and helps you increase your skill set.

  7. We have a provincial election coming up in BC this May and my company has launched a campaign to help get the Liberals re-elected. Because of laws that limit spending in the 3 months leading up to the election we have been forced to move away from traditional media to social media as it is a free way to get the word out.
    We try to update our blog as often as possible to keep the content fresh and people interested. Then we use Twitter and Facebook and e-newsletters to push people to the blog. The growth and participation from people has been slow but it has now started to pick up quite a bit in large part due to the fresh content and twittering.

  8. “(clarification: when it comes to a business Blog, proceed with caution)”
    be cautious, but careful not to ruin a good subject by dulling down the content. corporate doesn’t mean boring unless you let people ruin what you’re saying. stand your ground imo.

  11. Twitter does produce some of the freshest content on the Web, but it’s getting increasingly more difficult to really wrap your head (hands or any other part of your body) around it. There are just too many brilliant 140-character blasts to really shine above all of the clutter.

  12. While anyone can Blog, it doesn’t mean that everyone should Blog (clarification: when it comes to a business Blog, proceed with caution. If it’s for personal use, Blog away!). So, the question becomes: what kind of fresh content can you create? Is it text, audio, video or images?

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