This is a good strategy. When I was a social media manager at the advent of social media, we had an 80/20 rule. Post 20 percent about yourself and your company, and 80 percent about others, special interests, human interest, etc. Over the years it has evolved, and the thing now is influencers who post 99% about themselves, and still manage to get millions of followers. Everything changes. As a writer I just want to write what moves me. If it moves someone else, so much the better. I honestly don't care about growing followers, but I admit, I like it when it happens. Thanks for the shout out, Moon. I got about half a dozen from there (so far). Love, Virg
I love this so much, especially the part about writing what moves you. Even though I've only written for a short time, the landscape has shifted so much. It's like what you said, from value-driven connection to ultra-personal branding. But the heartbeat of good writing never changes, it moves you first. If it moves others too, that’s a gift. I'm so glad the shoutout brought a few more your way — your words deserve it. Keep writing from that place. It shows.
I have also noticed a sneaky mix of both where people will write "The Only Tic Tac Toe strategy you need to win 2025" then they'll update the article, maybe even just the title when 2026 comes to try and get the best of both worlds. I noticed this especially with sports related articles where they have been updated several times but the initial post was a popular one so they just roll with it.
I'd like to think my writing will be useful in the future, some of it at least but I can't say I've ever considered it at the time, but I also don't consider SEO and I prefer cryptic titles that spark curiosity rather than anything else.
This is a good strategy. When I was a social media manager at the advent of social media, we had an 80/20 rule. Post 20 percent about yourself and your company, and 80 percent about others, special interests, human interest, etc. Over the years it has evolved, and the thing now is influencers who post 99% about themselves, and still manage to get millions of followers. Everything changes. As a writer I just want to write what moves me. If it moves someone else, so much the better. I honestly don't care about growing followers, but I admit, I like it when it happens. Thanks for the shout out, Moon. I got about half a dozen from there (so far). Love, Virg
I love this so much, especially the part about writing what moves you. Even though I've only written for a short time, the landscape has shifted so much. It's like what you said, from value-driven connection to ultra-personal branding. But the heartbeat of good writing never changes, it moves you first. If it moves others too, that’s a gift. I'm so glad the shoutout brought a few more your way — your words deserve it. Keep writing from that place. It shows.
It's a tough choice. I used to write boxing articles, when I would speak about present fights and names, the views would balloon, and the likes too.
Then, once in a while, I would write articles about my philosophies, and those would have only a few views and likes.
So this is how it is, good and bad.
I have also noticed a sneaky mix of both where people will write "The Only Tic Tac Toe strategy you need to win 2025" then they'll update the article, maybe even just the title when 2026 comes to try and get the best of both worlds. I noticed this especially with sports related articles where they have been updated several times but the initial post was a popular one so they just roll with it.
I'd like to think my writing will be useful in the future, some of it at least but I can't say I've ever considered it at the time, but I also don't consider SEO and I prefer cryptic titles that spark curiosity rather than anything else.