Friday 15 May 2009

What's in a blog . . . ?

To be (a company blog) or not to be (a company blog)! That is the question.

What's in a blog?

As a writer, my idea of blogging should be entertaining. You publish words that you want people to read, and you want them to find them interesting, humorous, informative, etc, thus seducing them to come back and read again and again. You need content that will keep their interests hooked, so that they won't get bored and let your blog disappear into the big wide electrical yonder.

Also, as a writer, I want people to read and enjoy my work. There's no real point in writing otherwise. Therefore, it has crossed my mind about how to get more people reading, how to get more followers and how to get more subscribers.

The problem is, this is a company blog. Company blogs are usually used as media, to promote their products, and try and increase custom. There's nothing wrong with that at all. It's a good marketing tactic, and there's a crowd of followers out there looking for just such things. But what about the others? What about the people who just want the entertainment of a blog?

A friend of mine - a fellow writer and successful blogger - said:

"The problem with 'company blogs' is that they are adverts and are seen as such."

If people assume this blog is all about advertising, they probably won't read it, but put a personal blog in front of them, and they might.

So, my question to all you readers out there today is:

How personal can I be with this blog but still keep it professional?
(And to what personal level can I take it to before I get told off . . . ?)

Oh, and I'm supposed to be professionally advertising something here too...so, here's one of our superb products.

Memory Foam Topper



D. Ilott
Cybercheckout Ltd
cybercheckout.co.uk

1 comment:

Martin Willoughby said...

How to make a company blog into a non-company one? Make it personal. What's happened in the office? What local places do you 'lunch in'?

At the end, just drop in that you happen to have a new product:
oh, by the way, we've just taken delivery of some new tents'

Also, make it shorter.

Have a great weekend and see you Monday.