I recently read an article about how some websites are churning out content using low cost content production resources such as articles from content farms and videos from automated video production companies.

So why do these companies pump out this low value content?

Long tail search engine rankings

To monetise via either via affiliate links within content or

Display ad revenue, selling value by every thousand impressions.

What are the numbers? At last estimate, one such network reported revenue of over $200 million a year.

The mass media companies with their newspapers (Text) and TV (Video) rely on subscriptions, readership and ratings to obtain their valuable cash flow. The reason they generate the dollars is because the more valuable the content they provide the more money they make. TV shows and events such as the Super Bowl provide millions of dollars per 30 second commercial because large numbers of people value the content, nothing more nothing less.

In the social media universe of Blogs, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube the rules of valuable unique content are no different.

People read a blog because the content is interesting and inviting. People watch a YouTube video because it entertains, informs or educates.

The paradox about content is that the value is not just for the the audience but also the producer of the content. So why am I writing “content” late at night ?.. because the value provided is not just for the reader but for me.. yes me (the selfish writer). So what do I get out of it?

Tired in the morning … Yes

Red Eyes.. Yes

Slightly annoyed partner.. Yes

Worn out Keyboard.. Yes

All of the above is true but the real essence here is that to write this, I had to read (love reading), learn (love a bit of learning), think (now that is dangerous) and discipline myself to.. not watch TV or play…but to sit down and write this post. I gain insights and learnings that provide me, the writer with value that is very hard to measure on an ROI level. ..a content production farm does not float my boat, it doesn’t give me juice or passion.

So what are the benefits?

Possibly positions me as a thought leader

Helps me gain a little bit of credibility

Meet great people through comments and Tweets

Constant learning

Improves my blogs SEO

Increases my subscriber count through growing traffic

Positions me to maybe monetize my blog

Delays Dementia

So why do you write your blog or publish your VBlog?