On quality content | Personal ramblings

in #writing7 years ago (edited)

I love seeing Steemit posts that are effort-driven. Of course, some here would definitely contest that most posts here are written down with much effort, but of course, how we see posts is purely subjective. In this case, as a 'curator,' what kinds of posts do I deem as excellent and effort-driven?


Being on Steemit, with the goal of collecting as much rewards as possible, quality content is the way to go... followed by effective engagement. Image Source




How has your day been? That's a good place to start when writing an excellent blog post. Image Source

How would I define excellent?

Let me begin with online definitions of the term excellent.

: very good of its kind : eminently good : first-class

Awesome -- those three definitions definitely sum it up! An excellent post for me makes me ignore all of its apparent flaws. It is that engaging and beautiful. 

It is an awesome post when, upon reading everything about it, you took something off of it. It doesn't matter if it's a new scientific discovery, or an unexplored but adventurous place, or a new art technique, or a life-long lesson. There is something special from it, and that, in itself, is what makes it one of a kind.

It is an excellent post when it makes me curious how the author's day has been. Oh, he had dinner in this new place I'd never been to before. Oh, he studied something interesting that I'd been meaning to learn! Oh, that's new! And still manage to narrate it so well I feel like I was there, too.

It is an excellent post when I see the underlying effort behind it. It's relatively easy to see those. In fact, even without reading through half the post, there is an instant recognition on the effort placed into it.

There goes the effort.

I would see the effort put into writing. Writing is never easy, especially with a cluttered mind. Here's a tip: write as if no one's going to read it besides yourself. So what if it's littered with grammatical errors? So what if there are too many typos? Consider writing for yourself first and foremost; others come second.


Sit down, chill. Don't be in a rush! Take your time, and make your post worth it. Image Source

I would see the effort put into aesthetics. Formatting a post makes it 10 times more engaging. Good formatting definitely makes the article look pleasing, but it's seriously time consuming. 

At this note, let me urge you to make use of the editing options here on Steemit. They exist there for a reason: formatting.

Furthermore, stop abusing the block-quote option. Using it once in a while is good, but too much can be annoying. Actually knowing how to paraphrase is a plus point for effort.

For more formatting options, you can read this months-old post: Pimp Your Post with this Simple Cheat Sheet! Just COPY and PASTE! 

I would see the effort put into collating information. Collecting information, putting them together, and putting them into your own words are difficult things to do. Also actually citing the source! 


Don't be in a hurry: blogging isn't a race. Image Source

Chill!

Lastly, relax! The rewards here on Steemit can definitely excite new and old Steemians alike, but don't be in a rush.

Take your time. The world isn't out to get you. It's out to reward your efforts accordingly. While time is of the essence, worthwhile content is, too. Don't deprive yourself and your potential readers a quality content you can provide.

Putting additional effort into things you do isn't a 'pain-in-the-ass.' Look at it as an investment. In fact, the only investment you're putting, if you're like me who didn't spend a single penny to invest fully on Steem.

Write like you will a diary, but with more heart and effort.


Aira's Notes: I wrote this because... blogging isn't a race. Here on Steemit, writing is an investment. Make it worth the profit. In essence, don't make me look at Steemit as 'easy money.' Make me look at it as somewhere new and inexperienced bloggers will grow, with rewards accordingly gained.

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Agree with this

Write like you will a diary, but with more heart and effort.

Don't go for quantity but go for quality because only quality content can bring you further, especially true for newbies.

And it shouldn't stop there; community engagement plus good content will help, too. Thank you for dropping by, @jiashin! ❤😊

just right time for me to read this! cluttered thoughts these days and this is something needed! 😊😊😊

Your content has only been high quality @erangvee and refreshing, but in the end it all comes down to posting at the right time, who's reading, and the right person who is willing to invest into you.

Thank you, @raizel! 🎉 I agree with you. A post can only be successful when it has reached its intended audience... with proper timing. 😉

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I can definitely say you've mastered the HTML Division class game. I'm gonna take a look at your post metadata to see how you do it. All my attempts at trying to pull-left or pull-right has resulted in major disasters.

I'll definitely take that as a compliment, thanks a lot, @awesomianist! 😂 I've fallen in love with HTML more than markdown, I guess. Enjoy exploring the litter of angle-shaped brackets I call HTML. 😉

Very well said @erangvee Though I’ll admit I’m guilty with the “not-exerting-too-much-effort” part 🤣 Work’s crazy, steemit helps me distress in a way.. oh and thanks for helping out our fellow kabayan in this platform specially my little sister @debilog

Cheers!

Thank you, @iamkhaie! 💕 I completely understand. (Work seems to follow me even in my sleep LOL). I think "chillax" is key charot. 😉

You're welcome! ❤ Steemit is for everyone, and I'm glad that she has brought you here, too!

Wow, I need these words today and to chill.
With a growing baby,children and a house with never ending chores—I definitely needed this reminder and tips right now.Thank you!

Yes!! May writing serve as your stress reliever, an exhaust of sorts. ❤ Relax, Mommy @ryl, many of us got your back. 😉

I think newbies should really see and take sometime to read this. I am a newbie as well not only in this wonderful community but into writing as well. I like the part when you said that you should right for yourself, because that's exactly what I intend to do, I hope you can take some time to check my post and leave some advice so I can better my craft. Thanks and have a good day! :)

Writing and reading blogs have become my stress relievers. I love writing to exhaust my overthinking brain. 😉 Thus, writing for myself. I'm glad you intend to do the same. Fightiiiing. ❤

have to study raw html because the editor is somewhat buggy sa phone ko :'( for future dev career na rin chossss.

thanks for producing quality content. we can sure learn from you mama A :D

Palitan na si Sir Fred! At si Gian! 😂 Joke lang LOL. Magdev na din daw you Ms Debi para sa future ng coare haha. Kidding aside, enjoy HTMLs!!! You can also check out markdown, but HTML is the way to go for me hehe.

Your content specifically explain how we could contribute to SteemIt specially for us "Newbies" who's soul intent is to create an article, express our ideas and emotions, bring others to places we've been (travels), test the waters of the SteemIt platform and aspire that other will notice us - and earn some extra income in return.

Thank you for this article and more power.

Please note:

Finally, found the code I have been looking "text justification".

HTML CODE:
<div class="text-justify">...</div>

You're welcome, @clicker! 😁 Regarding the tex-justification, I'm glad you've found the syntax haha. Formatting can be pretty tricky.

Really ...write for myself, don't worry about editing and just post it? I usually write my articles, read them aloud, edit, let them sit for a day, read aloud to myself again, edit ....then OCD on it for another 6 hours before I post. LOL .........I mean, this sounds good ...to not have to worry so much about the writing, but ...are you sure?

Some people write because they truly have something to say--times when they're bursting at the seams and just want to exhaust their thoughts out of their systems. Then there are people solely driven by the rewards: forcing words out and subsequently pressuring themselves. I guess this was what I wanted to say: write because writing is a good outlet for ideas. It's not meant to stress you out. 😊 Steemit is a social media, not a competion with a panel of judges.

On writing OCD, I'm just like you. 😂 Even writing this response has taken me a couple of minutes (I think it's been half an hour!) to put together. But a workaround I'd been doing lately was to just write. After writing everything down, that's when I begin my psychoanalyzing. I would edit time and time again, but I sure am glad I got my thoughts out; never mind that they're cluttered. 😁

But then again, these written in my post are just personal tips and preferences. If the shoe fits, then high-five! 😅

Thank you so much, @sungrazer! I hope you have a great Steemit experience! 🎉

Well, both are me. I have something to say, but I still OCD over how I write it. LOL...Thank you @erangvee! :)