Never Publish a Cookie-Cutter Article
Once upon a time (last week), thousands and thousands of people wrote articles on LinkedIn. In truth, it was hard to tell most of these articles apart because they were very similar.
Many of these articles had a predictable result. It was the same result produced by quite a few business reports and presentations:
Don't get me wrong... most of the authors have a great deal of expertise and many insights to share. It's quite possible that YOU were one of these authors.
If so, how much thought did you give to packaging your ideas in a way that grabs your reader's attention? In most cases, the answer is: not enough.
Are you wondering whether it's even possible to stand out in such a big group?
It certainly is:
For example, you can get noticed - in a good way - by taking take two simple principles to heart:
Here's a little-known fact: it is not illegal to use this many images in a LinkedIn article. Today, I chose to use very few words and lots of pictures. Tomorrow, I might use many more statistics than is my norm. My goal is not to be cute; my goal is to actually help you.
With each article, I am first trying to get noticed, because I can't be helpful if no one notices me. Second, I want you to remember something that has value to you. Like this:
Be provocative. Be memorable.
Bruce Kasanoff is a ghostwriter and coach for a wide range of interesting and accomplished professionals.
Icons in this article are from NounProject.com.
In a world of empty suits, I’m leading a movement of authenticity, integrity, and trust inside the sales profession
8 年Bruce I Enjoyed this article. Every little bit helps in creating your memorable moments. Sharing great insight and education within a blog has been a great step for me as a sales professional
Strategic Initiatives Program Director | Agile Delivery Lead | SAFe SSM| SAFe RTE
9 年Bruce, thanks for restating the fact that most of Linkedin articles are recycled information. I don't know if I would challenge the writers to be "provocative" since being provocative for provocative sake is not new either. But writing memorable and unique pieces would be a right step towards an engaging content.
Dreaming the World Into Existence at D. Julian Morris Independent Professional Fine Artist & Tech Consultant.
9 年Bruce Kasanoff, I truly enjoy reading your posts here - I find them both insightful and challenging, not just to me apparently - seeing as how you have evoked many comments with this particular article. I think that there are many who are simply creating content because there are so many who are teaching that many that content will make you money. Not that unique content (finding one's own voice in the crowd) is more lucrative. And perhaps that should be. Should there not be some kind of marriage between unique writing and value? And I do come across posts that embody both these qualities, yet still are on topics written by that said many. So, to stand out of the crowd means to develop one's own unique voice. In my opinion many are being taught how to write formulaic stuff without how to do so, uniquely. Perhaps it's time to throw away the books and guides on blog-post writing and teach how to write creatively again...I know for myself, the topics I will write about soon are not researched enough, for myself, to write about uniquely yet, so I continue to absorb this stuff and will present it in my own voice when appropriate. There is a time to write and a time not to. Simple as that.
"Inspiring Tomorrow's Winning Performers" Professional Speaker and nationally-acclaimed author.
9 年this is the first piece of yours I've read. Thanks for that. Do you have a Linked In writing schedule? Once a week, twice a month? Or is it just when you think of something fascinating?