by Skellie
Some of the most successful and appreciated blog posts I’ve written elsewhere have been complete surprises to me. As I wrote them, I worried that they’d be criticized as being too basic, and as merely restating common knowledge.
One thing I’ve learned is that what is common knowledge for us may be a revelation to others, particularly if we have significant experience in our field. In the field of meta-blogging, I’ve always been surprised by the success of posts compiling information which, to me, seems like very basic stuff.
What I’ve come to realize is that most readers of advice writing are beginners, and for them, succinct explanations of basic principles are very useful.
This blog is deliberately aimed at a more settled and comfortable group of bloggers, webmasters and web workers, who are looking to add another layer of knowledge, skills, innovation and philosophy on top of the basics. I suspect that an article on the basics of blogging, for example, would not go down well here!
If you are not deliberately writing for a more experienced or knowledgeable base, however, compiling what you see as common knowledge can be something your readers truly appreciate.
Always remember that as an advice writer you are more experienced in your field of expertise than most of your readers. What is interesting and revelatory for you might go well above their heads. What is common knowledge to you can be vital content for them.
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10 Comments, Comment or Ping
Viktor
Good point. I started a blog about blog recently and had the same feeling as I wrote some of the posts - ‘everybody knows this, why I am writing this?’
but i always remember that A LOT of people don’t have a clue about blogging and are very gratefull for the basic info.
ps - great blog Skellie, I’ve been reading it since before you put the feed count, and now when i looked at the number of subscribers - WOW
Sep 29th, 2007
Travis
Good point, Skellie. It’s funny how we have to be reminded of little stuff like that. Even your post about common knowledge is fairly simple and somewhat obvious, but I bet it struck a chord with a lot of people (it did with me, anyway).
Sep 29th, 2007
kher Cheng Guan
I agree with you skellie. Most meta-blogs are tailored to the needs of newbies. I find there is a big niche for those ” more settled and comfortable group of bloggers”; just like your blog over here. I love everything about your blog. The concept, the sparse layout/design, the pleasant voice and the content. You don’t follow the herd. Personally I find even many pro-bloggers are still harping on the few similar ideas or topics.
Sep 30th, 2007
Suzanne of New Affiliate Discoveries
Skellie,
I’m discovering the same thing, and trying to retain my sense of discovery when I write my posts about basic stuff. Thanks for the reminder.
Sep 30th, 2007
skellie
@ Viktor: Thanks! I have the same reaction sometimes :).
@ Travis: I’m glad. It’s a lesson I’ve found very useful for writing posts elsewhere.
@ Kher Cheng Guan: Thank you. I think if I had tried to tackle the usual topics other meta-blogs are covering I wouldn’t have had much success, because sites like ProBlogger, Daily Blog Tips and NxE are already doing a great job of that :).
@ Suzanne: It’s important to keep that. If you feel bored by your content then your readers will sense it. One thing I find useful is to express things in a different way, to use interesting analogies, and draw out new angles to old knowledge.
Sep 30th, 2007
pablopabla
I think my blog suits more to the beginners (don’t you think so?) and it is humbling to note that some of them have expressed their gratitude for learning something new from what I deem “obvious”. It gives a great sense of satisfaction to have been able to add on to someone else’s knowledge
Oct 1st, 2007
skellie
I agree Pablo, helping a beginner can be a great feeling :).
Oct 1st, 2007
David LaFerney
If you look at hobby oriented print magazines you soon notice that they are very heavy with articles on basic skills (for beginners) and tips and tricks - for those who might fancy themselves a bit more advanced. Even mags that seem to be aimed at advanced craftsmen.
You will also notice that some mags shamelessly recycle the same popular material year after year. Because it sells. This is similar to blog archives that continue to draw searchers for months or years.
Oct 2nd, 2007
Kill Badgers
I have been wondering about the benefits of assuming or not assuming prior knowledge in relation to blogging and guess this really covers one aspect.
The more basic you go, the greater the audience.
[At the risk of irritating those with the knowledge]
Oct 4th, 2007
deionk
That was the exact same issue I had this morning, it kind of got me down and I decided that I’d have to read my weight in textbooks before I’ll write something that isn’t obvious and preachy.
But what you say is very true, short and a good reminder of something fairly basic. Just what I needed. Thanks for that!
Jan 12th, 2008
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