Not so long ago after writing an article on Content Creation – Quality vs Quantity, one of my commentators suggested that it was best to post new content on your site at least 3-4 times a week, otherwise “you might risk losing your loyal readers”. At the time I was posting between 1-2 posts per week, albeit long, intense articles.
I had publicly committed to taking on the challenge of posting several times a week and tracking the results.
OK, confession time…
I didn’t quite follow through with the challenge. As in life, we don’t always follow through with our promises and commitments. But you know what? That’s OK. The key here is to acknowledge that you did fall short on a commitment and recommit! Don’t make yourself wrong for not following through. That is just a waste of time and energy.
OK, so getting back to the topic … the challenge.
I decided to recommit to the Content Creation Challenge 2010 and I urge you if you are reading this to join me.
What is the purpose of the challenge?
To evaluate whether or not by creating a minimum of four new posts (pages if you run an ecommerce site) per week, will have an overall impact on your readership numbers, comments, sales, page views, etc.
So here are the rules if you care to play this game:
- You must post a minimum of four new posts (add four new products) to your site per week.
- For those writing posts, at least one of these posts must be a pillar article. By pillar I mean kick a*s article that makes people stop and say “WOW, that was an amazing article!”… That type of post.
- After posting new content you need to distribute this content to a minimum of 3 social media or bookmarking sites (visit Tools Of The Trade to get a list).
Just in case you are already looking for some loopholes (yeah, I’m a step ahead of you here), here is one loophole you can consider:
If you are worried about not having anything to say, take a look at this post on content creation ideas … maybe it will help. Another idea which I’ve done before is post someone else video and talk about it.
Hint: Anything Google related is always a good idea.
Writing Tips:
Here is a writing tip I learned some time ago after reading Mark Levy’s book ‘Accidental Genius‘. Basically when writing content for your website, sales pages, etc., what you’re going to do is start a timer and write non-stop as quick as you can on the topic for ten minutes. Don’t edit your article. If you make a spelling mistake, just let it be for now.
If you can’t think of what to write, just continue to write “blah, blah,blah” or whatever comes to mind. Your brain will continue to work and search for the words.
Once the timer goes off, STOP, put your pencils down…test over. Don’t look at it, don’t edit it…nothing. Close your word document (or writing journey) and don’t look at it until the next day.
Why are you doing this? By writing this way, you are allowing your creative genius to come out without edits. And by not looking at the piece right away, you are letting your brain ‘regroup’ in a sense. Once you do go back to it the next day, you are looking at it with “fresh” eyes.
Try it! I promise you it will make all the difference in your writing and creating content.
Length of challenge:
The challenge will go on for four weeks beginning Monday, September 27th and ending October 25th. Although a month may not be long enough, let’s start there and evaluate whether or not it should be extended.
What I need from you?
- Let me know if you are up for the challenge.
- Share this challenge with as many people as you can and let’s get everyone on board.
- Post your url in the comment section so I can try to keep tabs on you (hey, everyone needs a little nudge now and then
). - Have fun with it!
Update: Here are some tools for your challenge.
Here is a excel spreadsheet to help you keep track of your progress – Content Creation Challenge Tracker
Track ranking for your top keyword – Scroogle Scraper
Are you game?
Hi Michele,
You just missed me, I’m posting Monday, Wednesday, Friday these days
The write till the timer goes off idea works for me. Let the creative flow go by forgetting the Edit.
All the best with your contest and have a great weekend.
Ryan
Darn!!
Three days is great too! I just thought for a month I can push myself. It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but if were easy then it wouldn’t be a “challenge”.
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll let you know in a months time how it went. =)
Naw, well i’m already out
4 posts per week, school would catch up with me quite quick then
I’ll have to stick to 1 post every 4 days, thats about the best i can do
;-( But school comes first! Good for you for knowing your priorities. You seem to be doing just fine Peter…. even without this challenge. =)
Thanks for stopping by.
Hello Michele, I would join your challenge. This sounds like a great way for me to get to know you better and improve my website.
Fred,
http://www.solobizcoach.com
That’s awesome to hear Fred! Good luck and keep me posted on it’s going for you as you go along. I will be checking in from time to time. If you need support don’t hesitate to ask.
Talk soon. =)
Hi Michele,
It sounds an interesting challenge to you. I am already publishing 3-4 posts a week but i would like to know the results of your finding. The tips for writing a post sound like a good idea.
Thanks for sharing.
I will definitely keep you posted Lye. As for the writing tip: just finished writing my 1st draft for 3 articles in under 45 minutes. Definitely worth giving a shot. =) Nice to hear from you as always!
The title was so compelling I just had to take a peak. I just restarted taking on “The Challenge” this week as I am very far behind. The challenge I am talking about is the 30 day Challenge from Ed Dale. Why am I telling you this? Well because it is true that if you want something done, you have to commit and most importantly act on it. Unfortunately, I might not be up for your challenge at this time, but I will “keep an eye” on you, just to make sure you get it done. I would love to see the results
Hi Francisco,
Will definitely keep you posted on how it goes. Will tell you this…it will definitely be a stretch for me, but I have a plan in place. Hope it works. =)
Good luck with your challenge. I’ve heard of the Ed Dale Challenge and I think it’s great!
Looking forward to you holding me to my word and kicking my a*s if you see me slacking. =)
Talk soon.
Go get em’ Michele. You can do it.
My hands are full at home w. kids so not sure if 3 or 4 is feasible for me but we shall see. TTYL
Yeah, as I was telling Francisco, it’s going to be a stretch for me too. Have 2 little ones of my own too. =)
But hey, it’s only a month and I’ve already completed 7-1st articles in preparation for it.
Thanks for the cheer! =)
Oh, by the way, don’t know if you remember. You were the inspiration for this. =)