Writing Online Content That Never Dies
Words can indeed last forever…
Content reigns supreme in the digital realm, but the internet voraciously devours material at an astonishing pace.
The virtual world is a place where newly posted content quickly becomes dated and irrelevant, overshadowed by the latest developments, news, and trends.
However, there exists a class of content that defies the ravages of internet time: evergreen content — akin to plants that maintain their vibrant color throughout the year.
If content is king, then with “evergreen” content, you possess a king that reigns indefinitely. Evergreen content remains relevant even after significant periods, consistently generating reads, views, clicks, and engagement for your business. Achieving the perfect evergreen material is the “holy grail” of content creation. In this post, we delve into the essential guidelines for crafting this type of content that keeps on giving.
The Do’s of Evergreen Creation:
#1 Choose The Classics
To determine what will stand the test of time is no easy feat. Therefore, opt for subjects that have already proven their longevity. Select content topics akin to the Madonna’s and Elton John’s of the industry.
Evergreen topics include personal development, health and wellness, relationships and dating, travel, finance and money management, career and professional development, education and learning, home improvement and DIY projects, cooking and recipes, and fitness.
These topics possess enduring relevance in people’s lives, ensuring a consistent audience.
# 2 Teach Something
Sometimes you may find yourself restricted to a specific topic that seems disconnected from your business, such as selling wallets. In these cases, your best bet is to educate your audience.
Regardless of the field, there will always be beginners or newcomers seeking knowledge. Don’t underestimate the value of sharing even seemingly basic information.
If you specialize in wallets, create educational content like blog posts, short videos, or infographics that inform and enlighten you.
Here are a few title ideas:
“10 Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Wallet,”
“How to Spot a High-Quality Wallet: A Buyer’s Guide,”
“What Your Wallet Says About Your Personality,”
“How to Organize the Contents of Your Wallet,” and
“Wallet Care 101: Tips for Keeping Your Wallet in Pristine Condition.”
#3 Be Highly Specific
Another way to evade irrelevance amid the flood of new content is to delve deep into your subject matter.
By tackling the finer points and niche aspects, you reduce competition significantly. Niching down, or focusing on very specific niches, can prove highly profitable.
For instance, if your business revolves around personal finance, you can narrow your focus with creations like:
“Financial Strategies for Competitive Board Game Players: Monopoly Edition,”
“How My Obsession with Collectible Lunchboxes Helped Me Achieve Financial Independence,”
“From Cosplay to Cash Flow: Monetizing Your Costume Crafting Skills,” and
“Retirement Planning for Avid Comic Book Collectors: Building Wealth One Issue at a Time.”
Writing about your topic in a unique way not only highlights your content but also effectively filters your target audience. Readers of these niche posts are highly targeted and motivated, leading to better conversion rates than broader content.
Don’ts of Evergreen Creation:
#1 Don’t Jump on the Bandwagon
As the saying goes, “Easy come, easy go.” Trends and news articles that capture the world’s attention and seem tempting for content creation are not evergreen. In fact, they are fleeting flashes that swiftly fade away. If your goal is to cultivate evergreen content, avoid betting on such transient subjects. Just like Britney Spears, whose celebrity status once shone brightly but now feels dated, references to trending topics can quickly lose relevance.
#2 Don’t Include Date-Dependent Details
Certain elements age poorly and can quickly make your content feel outdated. Avoid incorporating specific numbers, dates, jargon, and jokes that may lose their relevance over time. Numbers are particularly time-bound, as statistics change and evolve. For example, stating that “Yahoo is the #1 search engine in the whole World Wide Web” would sound outdated to today’s readers. Similarly, including dates like “Yahoo will offer a free electronic mail service in 1995” positions your work as archival rather than evergreen. While these elements can still be included, make sure to provide proper context to prevent them from sounding dated in the future.
#3 Don’t Neglect Your Evergreen Content
One common misconception about evergreen content is that it can be left untouched. This is a significant mistake. While the content itself may be evergreen and relevant, it still requires care and attention. Here are some actions you should take:
- Snip and Trim: Continuously refine your content by making subtle changes to wording, adding or removing paragraphs, and eliminating outdated or irrelevant parts. There’s always room for improvement in substance and style.
- Update Metadata: Enhance the discoverability of your content by revisiting and optimizing the descriptions, summaries, and keywords associated with it.
- Refresh Media: Give your content a visual makeover by updating its appearance. If you come across an image or video that better captures your intended message, consider incorporating it to make your work more visually engaging.
- Promote: Actively promote your evergreen content, particularly to beginners and newcomers in the field. There will always be individuals seeking valuable information, so ensure your content reaches them.
- Engage: Foster a sense of community by monitoring and responding to comments on your evergreen content. Building a dedicated community around your content can further enhance its impact.
- Repurpose: Extend the reach of your content by sharing it on different platforms or adapting it to various formats. You can even consider translating it into other languages, thereby reaching a broader audience and maximizing its potential impact.
By following these Do’s and Don’ts, you will cultivate a thriving garden or forest of evergreen content that stands the test of time and continuously delivers value to your audience.
