This is a follow-up to my last post titled Content Composer Launch, and as promised includes my thoughts on the product and the points that are being raised during its launch.
For the record, I am a big fan of Jason Potash. He has some great products out and I have been following him for years. I dont mind admitting that I have learned A LOT from him. He is the kind of man that you want to make a point to shake hands with should you have the opportunity to run into him at one of the major seminars.
That said... I'm not a huge fan of automation, big ticket launches, and the whole IM product suite these days. This particular product is actually reasonably priced (at under $300) and I could have easily jumped on the "JV Bandwagon" and given it a big fat thumbs-up in exchange for commissions. Instead, I'm just going to share my thinking with you - tell you exactly whats on my mind - and give you some objective points to consider.
You'll understand in a minute why I titled this post:
"Just Keep Writing..."
There are two "pre-launch" pieces that I would highly recommend you check out... One is the PDF Report, the other is the candid audio between Jason Potash and Andy Jenkins. Both of these are free, and both can be found at Jason's blog.
You may want to download the Content Checkup Software as well, while he is still offering it free. I havent had an opportunity to use it yet myself, but I plan to give it a test and report back here with the results shortly...
I'll start with my thoughts on the free pre-launch report...
- The 900 Pound Gorilla, Free Report
I consider myself fairly savvy on topics like Internet Marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). In fact, I rank #1 on Google for "Learn Internet Marketing" and #3 on Google for "Internet Marketing Blog". So when someone starts talking algorithms and indexing and google updates... it gets my attention.
I'm NOT a total search junkie - I just like to stay in the know.
There comes a point where you can really over-think the entire process, though. You can make the task more difficult than it needs to be. And too often, people spend more time doing the wrong things (and then doing maintenance or damage control), than the time it would have taken to just do them correctly in the first place.
Back to the report, Jason IS talking about real issues and things that anyone - as a site owner or content publisher - should study. He talks about the importance of website themes and context within content, and breaks down LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) in a way that even a total newbie could understand.
Truthfully, if you attended elementary school, you should have learned long ago about "context" as it relates to reading and writing. Unfortunately, the nature of the internet and its opportunities - and the promises of easy riches - strips away most peoples basic common sense and serves as a breeding ground for spammers to evolve.
The point I am trying to make here is that your Online Business is a Business. Treat it seriously, have a goal that serves your visitors and readers, intend to be proud of what you publish and what you offer online. Junk sites and spam tactics are a thing of the past - you are truly going to have to offer something of value to succeed online in 2007 and beyond...
I do understand that not everyone is "a writer". And perhaps you have already used hundreds (or thousands) of PLR Articles or content with free reprint rights - and in that case, its extremely important for you to listen in and be aware of this information.
But the bottom line here is: Just Keep Writing
Figure out ways to develop your own content, and to add something of value in your niche. Period. (anything else IS blackhat... no matter what anyone says)
- Free Audio: Jason Potash & Andy Jenkins
Read the report first, and get an idea of what Jason is talking about in regards to Article Marketing. It's good stuff. But then also take the time to listen in to his free audio file, which is a candid discussion between himself and Andy Jenkins.
You'll find it on Jason's Blog under the title "Dirty Marketing Tricks, Lies and PROOF…" It is a Zip File that you can download free and then listen to like any MP3 file.
This audio interview was EXCELLENT, and was like being a fly on the wall while two highly respected - and very successful - Internet Marketers hashed out their ideas on content development. This should spark some GREAT ideas for you in regards to creating your own unique content because they gave excellent tips and detailed examples of how they do it themselves.
DEFINITELY listen in 😉
- Content Composer - The Product
Note: I have NOT tested or reviewed Content Composer. I'll go ahead and say too that I dont plan to use this particular program in my own eBusiness.
Jason makes some great points about current trends. Specifically that "100% original and unique content is KING" or "If Content is King, then Context is Queen". I agree with both of those statements, and as I said earlier I think that its important to tune in and hear what he has to say on these topics.
However, I dont think that this product is "the next best thing!" that you should invest in if you are just now launching your first site, or if you think this "new method" is going to help you make a killing online.
If you are just starting out, I would advise that you do things the right way. By that I mean: write your own content (ideal), contract writers, hire local students, take on interns or do whatever it takes to add value to the web with truly unique content in your niche.
Of course, if you are NOT just starting out, and you have websites out there that already have hundreds or thousands of pages of 'potentially duplicate content' on them, then this may very well be something that you want to look into...
Since I have not reviewed the product personally, I am not going to try to sway you either way in your decision to use this software - or not. But I do want you to take some time to consider your long term goals with your online venture... and consider whether you want to spend one hour of your time churning and regurgitating content over and over again - or whether you want to spend that same hour writing something valuable and unique.
Regardless, stay on top of what is going on. Listen in - Read up on it yourself. And make the decision based on YOUR NEEDS as a content developer and internet marketer... not on anything else.
for Details and Downloads...
Best,
Technorati Tags: content composer, jason potash, 900 pound gorilla, internet marketing, content development, writing content
About Lynn Terry
finally, thanks Lynn for not jumping on the "guru" ba(n)dwagon.
It's tiring, actually amusing, how these "gurus" refer each others products, sometimes you find nice typos in their testimonials, how it helped them with their business in the past> and then the author writes he just finished the final testing!!!
It's a shame, they are only marketing and hawking products based on their names and lists.
Too much "garbage" = non producing stuff out there.
Again, thanks for honest opinion.
Holger, Costa Rica
I am a newbie, and I really appreciate your frankness. We can only improve if we are not good writers. Thanks for the tip!
Thank you both - I appreciate your comments.
Obviously I am not discounting this software or its value. Its actually a great buy for the right person, with the right set of needs. I just see all too often how people can get swayed into the "easy methods" instead of using the same amount of time to do something that would truly "add value to the web"...
Best,
Lynn Terry
I don't even have my first site up yet. I don't mind writing; it's my favorite thing in the world. And I'm far from alone.
I'm stuck at the starting gate because 1) I don't know how to set up a site; and 2) I have no idea how to research my chosen niche or get facts to put my own articles together. My own, not someone else's, not hired guns, not PVR-anything.
I have a very low income and could never afford several hundred dollars a shot for these products.
And I know you could multiply me by the thousands.
When one of these gurus finally gets it and comes out with a high-quality course for complete beginners on HOW to do these two things ... that person is going to rake it in.
Show me how to completely research a niche, how to do keyword research, how to determine marketability and competition; how to research info for articles (how do you experts find your facts?).
Oh, and how to set up a site ... all from scratch. Forget the templates. The most successful sites are custom, and you gurus out there know it.
Do that ... then come back to us with your launches.
Hi Ana,
Actually, you can get ALL of that information on my website at http://www.SelfStartersWeeklyTips.com (free) and I will even answer all of your questions and help you personally at the discussion forum on my site: http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/
I am on a live webinar at the moment, but when I am free later I will send you specific links to step-by-step tutorial pages on the site.
Best,
Lynn Terry
I actually felt at first that writing was more difficult than it actually was until I started. Once you start, I think it becomes a more enjoyable process.
Jason's product is ok but I sincerely hope newbies don't buy it. My advice is to start writing yourself or hire a writer and observe what they do. Then start writing yourself and in your own style.
Over time - you will get better at it
I agree, David - and you really are the best person to author your own articles. Especially when your reputation and branding is on the line.
Of course, not all websites are created equal, and not all site owners intend to brand themselves or become known as "experts" in their niche. Some sites are created purely for profit. And those types of sites may very well benefit from this type of software...
That's just stating the obvious of course.
Ana, here are those links to free info that I promised you earlier:
There is a lot of good information on this page:
Creating & Promoting Affiliate Sites
... that can also be applied to creating other types of sites.
What type of site design or template that you want to use will depend on the type of site you are launching. Many of the little mini-sites that "gurus" have are canned templates with custom-designed header graphics...
Here are more links for you:
Finding Niche Markets
Market Research
Keyword Research & Competition Analysis
And as I mentioned, you can ask any questions you have (free) at the discussion forum.
Best,
Lynn Terry
Yes for the frank review Lynn! I think overtime any form of 'automation' of content will be picked up very quickly by SEs. Unless your content meets the basic requirements of usefulness, uniqueness, I am afraid this software will do more harm than good.
Lynn,
You're a gem. Great review and great advice on what people need to do: keep on writing (and learn how to do it the old-fashioned way too).
Hope all is well with you.
fabman
Thank you Fabio - Great to hear from you!
Hi Lynn -- Thanks for the balanced review. I also think it's more important to have quality content and consistency over time rather sheer quantity.
I would certainly agree with that - well said!
A million thanks, Lynn, for the links. Like thousands of others pursuing this I've a case of information overload ...
I'll be looking into all of them.
Going back to Content Composer, no, I won't be buying it either. I too am uncomfortable with automating content. Sure it's time consuming, but it's quite basically writing for a living. What can be more fun? Others can hire quite reasonably.
Thanks again for your kind replies and for your independent analyses.