PLAGIARISM AND WAFFLE: CHEATING THE READER
Don't skim to break even. LEAD.
You'd be kidding yourself if you believed the Internet is teeming
with honest, altruistic content by genuine Expert Authors.
We've all seen it and we all know there is a grotesque problem
with the quality of information on the Internet. As access to this incredible
source of knowledge and engagement increased over the years, so did those small
pesky disturbances that are hazardous to quality.
What are we referring to? The complete disregard to quality and
originality by proponents of "get rich quick" schemes and peddlers of
mediocrity.
When it comes to originality, take a stance and draw a line in the
sand. Heed these Top 7 Tips to Identifying Unoriginal Content.
#7. Excessive Quotes
More than 5 lines of quoted material for an article between 400
and 1,000 words will hinder your ability to provide your own unique insight. It
also may tell the reader that the author or speaker you're quoting is the
better expert, thus lowering your credibility.
Tip: Be the source. Only quote when it reinforces your insight and
limit it to 3-5 lines.
#6. Generic
Generic information is repeating common knowledge that every
specialist in your niche has provided time and time again without tips or
commentary based on your experience as well as personal or professional
insight.
Tip: Write based on your passions and expertise! Find the perfect
niche for you with these tips.
#5. Fluff
Just shy of 400 words? Repeating parts of your article,
repetitively summarizing main points, adding a floating quote, etc., is
unoriginal "fluff."
Tip: Reach the minimum word count by planning your article ahead
of time using these Top 10 Article Templates.
#4. Rehashed Content
Otherwise known as derivative content, rehashed content occurs
when an author uses similar tips across multiple articles. Readers who browse
article portfolios of this form of unoriginal content are turned off by the
author's lack of versatility and poor credibility.
Tip: If you sound like a broken record, it's time to brainstorm.
Try these 10 original article angles.
#3. PLR and the Public Domain
Even if you're granted the permission to republish another
author's work under your own name, if you don't own the exclusive rights to the
content (e.g., PLR articles, Public Domain content, etc.) it is unoriginal
content.
Tip: If you hire a ghostwriter or purchase content, ensure you
have an exclusive license that only allows your name to be associated with the
articles produced for you.
#2. Article Spinning
Spinning software "spins" content by replacing an
article's original words with synonyms. Alternately, there is the
"manual" version where content writers may "rewrite"
content by tweaking a sentence here and there. Even if it's your content,
spinning is "word vomit" and it's not original.
Tip: If you're running out of article ideas, don't resort to
article spinning. Try these 15-minute brainstorming exercises.
#1. Plagiarism
"Borrowing" content (even if it's just a sentence or
two) without crediting the source and passing it off as your own is not
original. It's infringement, piracy, and theft.
Tip: Give credit where credit is due by properly citing your
sources. Like this one: This article is by
Penny,
Managing Editor
http://Blog.EzineArticles.com/
I know - there's a lot of tough love here. We love our Expert
Authors and will do our best in protecting their rights to publish alongside
only the best Expert Authors on a quality platform. Take the quality pledge
with us by only writing and publishing original content. As we say in the Editorial
Guidelines, "don't skim to break even. LEAD."