My blog shortcomings

I hate to admit it. But, it's true. I have blog short-comings.

In my effort to address them, I realized that I had to first admit to them. Here they are in all their terrible glory:

-I don't spend as much time preparing posts as I should. I usually sit down and write whatever happens to come to mind. This "free flow" of thought means that I may not keep on topic or concentrate enough on my grammar or punctuation. Since this is a business oriented blog, I feel it should be a bit more "professional" in style. Which leads to my next shortcoming...

-I probably drive English teachers and content editors or "proofers" crazy. Over the years, my writing style has changed to match the unique writing style of the web. That means I sometimes flip back and forth between traditional writing and web writing. It's hell on the sentence and paragraph structure.

-I may be a bit too technical at times. Yes, I live and breath technology and marketing. Which means sometimes I forget that not everyone else does. I really try to keep topics "non-technical" since blogs are built for non-technical" people. However, I know sometimes my geek talk slips in and "non-tech's" (who this blog is focused on) have no idea what I'm talking about.

-I don't post or link as much as I'd like to. It's a time thing. I wish I had more or it.

So, that's all I can handle to publish and work on for today. What about you? Do you have any blog shortcomings? Feel like sharing them with me? Or possibly offering advice as to how to fix my above mentioned ones?

Is there a Blog in your Future?

Your markets are already talking online. Blogging is your chance to join them. Clinging to the illusion that you can control everything that’s said about you or your organization won’t help your business. Accepting the realities of blogs and how they affect your business could not only win you points in the blogosphere but also ultimately improve your bottom line.

How?
-By giving you a voice (no matter what your size) the ability to connect with your audience (customers, employees, media) on a personal level.
-By promoting you in a less expensive, non-traditional way: PR, search engine rankings (links), and direct traffic.
-By engaging your customers one-on-one in direct conversations online.
-By keeping track of what people are saying about you and your competitors.

Need help making your blog a reality? Why not give me a call at 888-215-0820? I can have you up and running in less than a day. (virtual hand holding included)

Dealing with negative blog comments

The first time you get a negative comment on your blog can be devastating. All your "feel good" thoughts about building community go right out the window.

Immediately, you start wondering if blogging is worth it. Then, the "fight" gene kicks in and you want to defend yourself or your organization.

Although it’s tempting to jump to defend you might want to take a good look before you do just that. Here's what I do with negative comments:

1. Review what they have to say. Is anything in what they wrote true? Did they leave a name or way to contact them? (Usually it means they have a genuine concern)

2. Think carefully before you comment or post. Maintaining good blogger relations depends on how you respond to the bad as well as the good.

3. If you find the comments have some merit. Admit it and explain your side of the story. That's usually all people want to know. If the comments do not have merit, state why and move on. No one believes you are perfect. Having a few negative comments will actually make you seem "more human" and morelikeablee.

Lastly, deal with negative comments. You have a blog, use it.

Tread Carefully with Comments

Whether you have a blog or not, leaving comments is for anyone and everyone. It's so easy! That's why I say, "tread carefully with the comments you leave."

More lightning-quick (if not long-lasting) damage has been done to corporate and personal reputations in blog comments than anywhere else online. More honest disagreement and deep understanding has also been reached in that same venue. Because it is so easy to respond to blogs (as simple as clicking the “'Comments'” link on a blog post), you should really think carefully about how the comments you leave.

Don'’t forget, comments are indeed a double-edged sword: they can tell your side of the story and lend credibility OR get misinterpreted and have ugly repercussions.

The most critical time to watch what you write is after a disagreement or challenge. Wait a day or so before responding. There is no "take it back" on the web. Sure, technically (as in software that let's you remove it) you can try to "take back"” a comment. But erasing history by editing your comments (and especially the comments of others) is wishful thinking and never works.

Bloggers are like elephants; they never forget. And if they do, Google is there to remember for them.

Blogging Takes Courage

Like anything you do in the public eye, blogging takes courage.

Blogging for yourself or your organization is risky. From discussing an unpopular view, to libel issues, it takes courage to embrace the blog concept and steer readers down your preferred blogging path.

The best bloggers take a stand on something and defend it. Whether popular or not, I respect bloggers who can speak their mind and defend their arguments. )Probably comes from my Political Science background) I may not agree with your point, but I respect your right to make it.