The Idiot’s Blog
The first time I saw a man walking down the street jabbering on a cell phone, I said to myself, “What an idiot.” Now when kids weave all over the road while texting or guys in a restaurant pontificate into their “jawbones,” I think the same. But this isn’t another blog slamming mobile misdeeds.
It’s about mass market trends, our willing gullibility, and then blogs.
The lone dweeb strolling along Pennsylvania Avenue blabbing into his cell phone. . .that was around 1992. At the time there were 13 million cell phones total in the U.S. (Go look it up yourself — I had a long night.) He was the wave of the future, of course. Now every man, woman, child and canary owns a mobile device, maybe two or three. These chattering, thumb-sore, squinty-eyed souls might be mobile but they’re still wired — the invisible umbilicus between mobile handset and brain is every bit as binding as any land line. So they talk, type, play games, watch miniature videos or whatever, just because it’s there and they can’t help themselves. It’s a cheap, legal addiction and those who indulge willingly put this monkey on their backs.
Switching gears. Does any of the above remind you of. . .your blog? What about your corporate blog, or for that matter, the company’s entire approach to social media programs?
There are probably as many blogs now, or more, than even mobile devices. (Look that up, too.) Companies blog and do other social media because it’s expected. For the most part, a canary tweets better and makes more sense. Doesn’t have to be that way, though.
Had a recent chat with social media marketing pro Kate Schackai at Design Plymouth, which helps Northeast businesses get up, running and stay on track with social media marketing. A few (but not all) pointers she offered so that your blog works for you and not vice versa:
- Have a plan. Your blog should be a Google magnet, a hub of dynamic content for current readers, and provide a wealth of accessible information for potential clients.
- Know your “key words.” Do key word research (better yet, have it done by an expert) so that key words appearing in social media fit your company and audience.
- Optimize content. Plug those key phrases into the blog to attract the right eyeballs to your site.
- Be Anti-Copernican. Use the blog as the center of content releases — articles, videos and podcasts. The sun and planets should revolve around your web site.
- Easy content navigation. Use high-level titles and pick tags that capture important niche concepts. Avoid date-based archives (who knows, cares or wants to scroll through what you posted last September?), and get rid of any duplicate categories or tags.
- Use integrated applications to push blog content to social media platforms. NetworkedBlogs, TwitterFeed, Feedburner, Aweber, etc.
Hm. Just realized I’m neglecting or have violated at least half this list of rules. What an idiot. Better have Kate fix it, but meantime I see the dog left his bluetooth on the kitchen counter and it’s ringing like mad. That “Lassie, Come Home” ring tone really gets up my nose.
“Rover, c’mere, dammit!”
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