From SEO to Scriptwriting

Sorry for some silence. In August I got a job offer and come back to my favorite field – scriptwriting for animation, so it would be naturally to compare ideas lying in the base of SEO and storytelling these days. As I have written before, SEO is all about working with patterns – in fact keywords are nothing more than patterns people use while thinking about something.
There are several words that could express very close meaning but people prefer a certain set, and search engines are trained (especially now, with use of machine learning technologies) to identify and respond to these patterns with most relevant content.

In scriptwriting, I’d say even in storytelling in general, we also do a kind of optimization to our audience needs but we use more complex patterns, where not only words involved – here we’re working with images in the wide meaning of this word, including all channels of perception available for humans.

Yes, search engines go in this direction, too – last AI projects allow users to create images based on their search requests. And machines will always be better in working with patterns, so I’m sure AI would write scripts much better than scriptwriters but… there is one thing about the Internet that gives us creative people not only a hope but a solid foundation. This thing became a trend in modern movie industry. I’m talking about uniqueness, the thing opposite patterns.  

In the world where competition for the audience attention is so high it is not enough to meet the audience patterns but also be unique in this. And it’s obviously not about AI…

How to make your content more valuable

As a writer, I've been always wondering about how to make words / content more valuable. I guess many of my peers are working in the same direction =) Well, today I decided to run an experiment asking this very question both in meditation and... in ChatGPT.

As a result I received replies that seem to complement each other and worth sharing here:

Meditation: "Words will be more valuable when you're a part of God's creative process, a cell of the whole humankind organism..."

ChatGPT (along with 10 more interesting general tips - see below): "...the value of your words lies not only in their monetary worth but also in their ability to touch hearts, inspire minds, and spark change. Focus on creating meaningful and impactful writing, and the inherent value will shine through."

Actually, the both replies are close to what my own experience (more than 25 years of writing) also prompts me - tuning up to the task and understanding your audience is the key to creating really valuable content. 

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I believe that ChatGPT's tips can be also interesting to my writer's blog readers, so they are here: 

"To make your words more valuable and impactful, consider the following advice:

1) Cultivate your knowledge: Expand your knowledge base by reading extensively and learning from various disciplines. Explore literature, philosophy, science, history, and other areas of interest. The more knowledge you possess, the richer your words will become.

2) Refine your language: Pay attention to the words you choose and how you express your ideas. Develop a diverse vocabulary and experiment with different sentence structures. Aim for clarity, precision, and elegance in your writing. Strive to convey complex concepts in a concise and accessible manner.

3) Harness the power of storytelling: Humans have been captivated by stories since ancient times. Craft narratives that engage readers emotionally and intellectually. Use vivid descriptions, well-rounded characters, and compelling plots to create an immersive experience for your audience.

4) Develop your unique voice: Authenticity is key to making your words resonate with others. Cultivate your own writing style, one that reflects your personality, values, and perspective. Embrace your individuality and allow your voice to shine through your words.

5) Practice brevity and simplicity: While it's important to have depth in your writing, strive to express complex ideas concisely. Avoid unnecessary jargon or convoluted sentences that may alienate readers. Simplicity can enhance clarity and make your words more accessible and impactful.

6) Appeal to emotions and experiences: Understand the power of emotions in connecting with readers. Craft your words in a way that evokes emotions and resonates with shared human experiences. Whether it's joy, sorrow, or empathy, tapping into the emotional core of your readers will make your words more valuable.

7) Edit and revise diligently: Writing is a process, and the true value of your words often emerges during the editing and revising stages. Polish your work, eliminate redundancies, and refine your ideas. Seek feedback from trusted individuals to gain different perspectives and improve the overall quality of your writing.

8) Embrace vulnerability and authenticity: Share your personal experiences, insights, and vulnerabilities in your writing. Authenticity creates a deep connection between the writer and the reader, fostering trust and making your words more valuable. Don't be afraid to express your unique perspective and take risks with your words.

9) Aim for impact and relevance: Consider the impact you want your words to have on your readers. Write with a clear purpose and address topics that are relevant and meaningful. Whether you seek to inspire, educate, or entertain, understanding your audience and tailoring your words accordingly will make them more valuable.

10)Continuously learn and evolve: Writing is a lifelong journey of growth and improvement. Embrace opportunities to learn from other writers, attend workshops or writing courses, and engage in constructive criticism. Keep honing your skills, experimenting with new techniques, and evolving as a writer."