Should we create content for a competitor?

[GBC]

We've got an opportunity to create video content for one of the highest authority news sites in our region.

It's a great opportunity for links - PR8, DMR 7.84, DMT 8.86 and also to build our brand.

However the site is also one of our main competitors in the SERPs, and we would be providing content to them that serves some of our most important seasonal and year-round keyphrase targets.

So my dilemma is whether it is better to create the content and get the links, keep the content for ourselves and aim to make our site the authority for those keyphrases, or place the content with another (less authoritative) site that doesn't compete in our space?

[DarinPirkey]

To me, content and branding is so important, I don't care where it comes from (as long as it's good).  The fact that it happens to be on a "competitors" site doesn't make a difference.  I would put the content on their site and also a link to it on your site (not from the same page that the links on their site point to).  As a reader, I will see the your content on the other persons site and, if its good, go to your site and read up on you and what you're all about.  If you have a good UX on your site then I will subscribe and follow you just as much.  When co-citations really start to matter, as well as branding and reputation management, I think you'll start to see how much you can dominate the SERPs.  Google, and everyone else, wants you to share good quality content.  Besides, how cool would it be to brag that you're so awesome, that your competition even links to you.

Darin..

Just a side note.  I worked with a coupon company a few years back that ranked on the third page of Google and they tightly held their content.  We recommended that they start sharing their content with one of their competitors that was a coupon blog and within two months they were on page one in the #6 spot for "coupons".  I'm not saying this is a direct correlation here, but it sure seemed to help.  Get the word out about your company and people will follow you as long as you have a great UX and great content.

[EGOL]

We've got an opportunity to create video content for one of the highest authority news sites in our region.

So, tell us the full details of the deal?   They payin'?   Linkin'?   Other promotion?

[GBC]

No we're paying to produce the content, they're linking back to us. We may be able to bring other brands on board to sponsor the content. Average video plays on their site are 15,000-20,000

[BlueprintMarketing]

Do you have a +5 page rank? Where is your reach or audience? If you have a chance to strut your stuff in front of bigger audience do it if you will get the credit from your larger competitor it will only help you immensely I would do it and do it well. It is a complement that you are being asked to guest post I feel you should do it and don't look back. You will generate more power to your site then you will take away by simply giving them an article that they will probably get from somebody else if you don't write it.

I hope I have been of help to you.

Sincerely,

Thomas

[EGOL]

Average video plays on their site are 15,000-20,000

That's all????

In that case... I would place the video on my own site and build out a youtube channel.  I'd let them make their own videos.