Explore the idea of prioritizing clear communication in writing over chasing traffic. The discussion critiques clickbait tactics popular among content creators and stresses the value of genuine idea sharing. Discover the unique approach of including full posts in RSS feeds, emphasizing understanding rather than mere clicks. This perspective encourages writers to focus on the essence of their messages rather than the metrics that drive ad revenue.
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Quick takeaways
Effective communication takes priority over driving web traffic, reflecting a commitment to genuine expression rather than clickbait techniques.
The speaker's approach emphasizes clear idea transmission over misleading teasers, fostering authentic connections with the audience and enhancing engagement.
Deep dives
The Value of Communication Over Traffic
The emphasis is placed on prioritizing effective communication rather than driving traffic to a website. The speaker does not see value in readers clicking through to their site if they can grasp the core idea from a title or a brief summary. This approach contrasts with writers reliant on ad revenue or subscriptions, who usually focus on increasing page views to boost income. Instead, the speaker opts for direct engagement with the audience, believing that conveying ideas clearly should take precedence over redirecting readers to their own platforms.
Rejecting Clickbait Strategies
The discussion highlights a common critique of clickbait, where essential information is withheld to lure readers into clicking through. By avoiding the need to create misleading teasers, the speaker advocates for a more authentic style of writing that satisfies readers' curiosity without manipulation. The speaker shares personal examples of how their writing reflects this philosophy, focusing on genuine expression rather than crafting content solely for optimizing traffic. This intentional approach fosters a deeper connection with the audience and encourages honest communication over adherence to industry pressures.
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Prioritizing Clear Communication Over Traffic Generation
As someone who writes for fun, I don't need to get people onto my site:
If I write a post and some people are able to get the core ideajust from the title or a tweet-length summary, great!
I can include the full contents of my posts in my RSS feed andon FB, because so what if people read the whole post there and neverclick though to my site?
It would be different if I funded my writing through ads (maximizetime on site to maximize impressions) or subscriptions (get the chanceto pitch, probably want to tease a paywall).
Sometimes I notice myself accidentallycopying what makes sense for other writers. For example, becauseI can't put full-length posts on Bluesky or Mastodon I write shortintros and [...]