The lame blog post

It is June 1 and today my May blog posts shrink themselves into a single link and provide me with an expectant blank canvas for June. Oh dear!

That brings me to the pivotal question: What makes a good blogger?

Blogger is now an accepted career or hobby label and I am starting to understand why. As I am packing for a 2 week European trip, I realize I fall in the category of lame bloggers.

Why?

A good blogger would have:

• had two weeks' posts prepared and post-dated for release
• found something relevant to blog about the state of Internet marketing in Europe
• had mobile blogging down pat
• a blogging buddy begging for the honour of substitute blogging during my absence.
  

My conclusion:
I am an aspiring-to-be-good blogger. But for very much the same reason that I don't get to the gym, this blog will likely remain untouched for two weeks: bad planning, lack of discipline and waning enthusiasm!

To all you stellar bloggers: Here is a toast to you!

I Refuse to Blog

This is what a client said to me today.

"If I start a blog, I have no control over what they write about me in my blog."

Yes, that is correct, but why should you care? If they like what you do or if they are upset by your business, they'll write anyway. And they'll write anywhere. Like you'll ever control it!

User-generated content belongs to no one and cannot be controlled. But in your blog, you have control over what you write and can use it to speak to your potential customers in their language.

When you get negative comments - what an opportunity to learn! (Cheaper than market research!) And if you show that you are listening and respond, imagine the response you'll get.

You can use your blog to:

• Ask for feedback
• Compliment your competitors (where it is due), and
• Admit when you are wrong.

And then, if you listen and show that you make it better, what are the chances that you'll now have a loyal follower? No guarantees, but what can you lose?

To Blog or not to Blog

The blogosphere exploded with a myriad of pent up contributions from experts and wannabes - a source of ideas, opinions, information and sometimes, just alphabetized noise.

There is no doubt that bloggers have become a democratic online force to be reckoned with.

For the webmaster-less, it is an opportunity to craft an online space and mouse off in democratic digital glory. However, on some mornings it can become a heavy commitment to fulfill.