Blogging Basics for Business
- A Blog is a “conversation on the web” with people who have something in common.
- People subscribe to a blog using RSS (the channel).
- RSS feeds create a channel to your favorite blogs to stay current on topics of importance and interest.
- Blogs “posts” are organized in chronological order and by topic.
- BusinessWeek May 2005 cover story: “Blogs - Catch Up or Catcha Later”
- When, not if you should blog…Start by blogging on other blogs in your industry.
- Observe, learn and participate in those blogs. Get a feel for their personalities and the participants.
- Study competitive blogs to observe what is being said. Consider commenting on competitive blogs.
- Remember you are part of a community. Be professional (don’t be a jerk).
- Develop a strategy! Know your objective(s) and measure results.
- Blog types: industry trends/visionary, product (technical) blog, customer service, P.R. blog, etc.
- Set up roles for people in your company in the blog and manage these roles: analytical, product (technical), P.R., controversy, executive/leadership.
- Don’t shy away from comments on your blog especially criticism.
- Post comments frequently.
- Respond to comments very quickly (within hours).
- Remember that others are watching your blog conduct.
- Respond to negative comments positively. Thank them and explain your course of action.
- Blogs are good for search engine optimization particularly when you give each blog post a title with a post-slug URL.
- Add blog post-slug URLs to your site map.
- Use social plug’ins to get your blog tagged and linked.
- Submit your blog to Technorati and track it.
- Track blog stats in your website stats/analytics.
- Link to other blogs you like. Don’t expect anything in return (but you may get links from other blog sites).
- Embrace a blog with commitment - don’t start and stop a blog.
- Business blogs take time - get over it.
- Business blogs will pay dividends if implemented and managed well.
