Comments on: My thoughts on ‘sausage-factory’ content: Let’s set some things straight

By: Chip Tudor

Chip Tudor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:52:47 +0000

I completely resonate with you. I’ve lost numerous assignments because I refused to accept ridiculously low pay. And I’ve thought the same thing about the time involved in writing quality material. I’ve even had self-doubts–am I really THAT SLOW of a writer? Thanks for reinforcing what I’ve thought all along:Quality seo content is not produced in a flash. And you get what you pay for.

By: John Carraway

John Carraway — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:03:11 +0000

There is so much bad content out there on some really high ranking sites and a lot of good original content on low ranking sites. Unfortunately, some of the best writers turn out to be less skilled when it comes to marketing. It’s not just about writing good content, but also getting lucky when it comes to SEO, SEM, and SERP.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:14:44 +0000

Content is King! I know – it’s glib and overused, but truly, what is copy without quality content? It just doesn’t amount to anything much other than (at the risk of over-extending the metaphor) offcuts of the stuff we actually consume, digest and grow stronger from.

Thanks for another good post, Glenn. When I lose focus and get off-task, I always come here to get re-grounded. Thanks for sharing your experience and drawing together a network of quality writers.

By: havuz

havuz — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:32 +0000

you click a link on the SERP, tell me why you’re going to choose that link. (If the copywriter was on the ball, they wrote the meta tags too.)

By: Amy C

Amy C — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:23:39 +0000

Interesting article. I am just becoming aware of the importance of copywriting. A lot of service professionals, for example, don’t seem to realise how awful their websites are for any range of ‘laypeople’ clients. Good copy should do that in succinct language.

By: Laura Jennings

Laura Jennings — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:17:05 +0000

Great article. So many people do not realise the value of good copy, not only for SEO but also for usability (something I think many people out there have forgotten about!).

By: Ren

Ren — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:11:55 +0000

I find it perturbing that a copywriter has to justify the right to make a decent living. That manky sausage meat just clogs up the internet with content that users don’t really want, and I agree that it’s only a matter of time before Google makes this rubbish worthless.

Happily, savvy clients DO recognise the value of quality copy and are willing to pay for it. So the detractors can all go…eat a sausage.

By: Paul Mackenzie Ross

Paul Mackenzie Ross — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:39:59 +0000

Regarding point 1; “I think webmasters and SEOs have every right to use sausage-factory content, and they should NOT be penalized by the search engines.”

My initial knee-jerk reaction was to totally disagree. I’m still mulling over this and all I can say is that:

1) For the sake of freedom and liberty people should be allowed to write and publish whatever they want however…

2) By penalising poor quality pages and websites then it would discourage the practice of churning out virtually worthless words. After all, it’s a waste of everybody’s time and money to write and then read articles of such low value, so why encourage more of the same? It just adds to what Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, said of the Internet being a “cesspool”.

3) On a more moderate note, then maybe there shouldn’t be a penalty but more of a refusal of awarding merit.

I’m constantly amazed at how often poor grade web & SEO tips are repeated on forums by people who haven’t the first clue of what they’re talking about or, more often, simply repeating ad verbatim. I think this aptly demonstrates the point that there are people out there who really don’t now any better and, by removing the source of the crap that they repeat would be a great step in “making the world a better place”.

Other than that I’m pretty much with you, Glenn :)

By: Mike McCaffrey

Mike McCaffrey — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:46:02 +0000

Nice one.

We are quite subtle beasts really. Memorable copy has life. It reflects what was put into it. Like everything I s’pose.

Good forum, Glenn. Glad I dropped by.

By: Glenn Murray

Glenn Murray — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:04:48 +0000

Ha! Very funny Mike. I’m still chuckling.

Amanda… We both know you’re right. Stop wasting my time with accuracy and intelligence. My blog isn’t the place for that! ;-)