Mention the names Robert Scoble or Shel Israel in the blogosphere and you’ll get a pretty instant reaction. Both are well known and while they have their share of detractors, both are well respected in their own rights. Putting the two of them together on this book project was genius and considering their experience, we were prepared for a great read.

This book really isn’t a how to, but more of a discussion on how corporate blogging is reshaping the way businesses do business. If you’re looking for a manual on how to get started, you’ll probably be pretty disappointed. However, the book has a lot of merit and it is one that every corporate blogger, especially those with larger companies, needs to read.

The main focus of the book is the Six Pillars of Corporate Blogging. Each one holds the key to your success or failure as a corporate blogger, and by mastering them, the authors hold that you will be able to enjoy a lot more success as a blogger, and you’ll learn new methods of treating your customers.

Our favorite part of the book was the discussion on Blogging Right and Wrong. The section on crisis blogging was fascinating and well worth any company owner’s time. The chapter on emerging technology was also very useful, but could use to be updated since the blogosphere does move quite fast.

Bottom line for this book – there is a ton of information to process, and you may want to read it a couple of times before dipping your toes into blogging. Even if you already have a blog, this book may help you take it to the next level and pinpoint areas that may need improvement. We appreciated how well written the book was and the time that went into putting everything together. It’s obvious by the finished product that the authors are passionate about corporate blogging and they did a great job of infusing that passion into their text.

Overall, this book was a fascinating read. We don’t agree with everything put forth, but it still managed to make a very solid case for corporate blogging as well as offering some great tips on how to go about it the right way. Even if you’re a seasoned blogging pro, there is still something to be learned by reading this book.

We highly recommend it to new and old bloggers since there is a lot of information that can be put to immediate use. The case studies and interviews with other corporate bloggers are well worth the cost of the book, and you can learn a lot from the mistakes and triumphs these blogs have experienced. It’s not a how-to manual, but in a way, it’s more important. It covers the nuts and bolts that so many people forget or fail to use, and by doing so, miss out on great opportunities.

Originally posted 2008-09-19 05:58:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• The Secret Power of Blogging By Bruce Brown If you have been thinking about jumping into the world of corporate blogging, but you’re not really sure if it’s right for you, this book may push you off the fence. This book does a fantastic job of explaining everything you could ever need to know about running your own......
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One of the main problems facing corporate bloggers is that is all too easy to crash and burn. One controversial post is all that it takes to ruin your company’s image. There are many reasons that corporate blogs fail, but there are also solutions out there to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons that corporate blogs don’t make it and what can be done to make sure that your company succeeds.

1. Failure to keep a blog updated on a regular basis.

Many companies start a blog with the best of intentions but just don’t have the resources to keep it going. A failure to follow through with a blog can doom it from the beginning. You’ve got to be able to devote enough resources and time to keep your blog running and keep it updated as frequently as possible. You’ll lose readers if you don’t keep giving them something new to read.

2. Picking the wrong person for the job.

Picking a blogger is not an easy task. Executives rarely have time to blog and if they outsource the job to the wrong person in the company it can be disastrous. It is vital to pick someone that is well spoken, cool under pressure and very responsible. Otherwise, the result can be a nightmare, especially if the blog has a comments section that gets out of control.

3. Projecting the wrong image.

One of the most notorious corporate blogging failures was Walmart’s attempt to produce a blog that seemed to be non commercial on the surface, but was really a thinly veiled attempt to promote their store. The result was scorn in the blogging community and the blog quickly died. You want to make sure that your blog walks that fine line between commercialization and content readers can use. With the wrong approach, you can harm your company’s image.

Another aspect of this issue is that when you have an open forum, you need to know what to do with it. Blog posts that are unprofessional give reader’s the impression that your company is not professional either. On the other hand, stiff posts fail to produce the human touch.

Each one of these issues can be easily solved by hiring a company to manage your blog for you. This is very important for companies that do not have a lot of resources to devote to a regular blog, but they want to reap the benefits that a blog can bring. By hiring a professional, you can ensure that your posts will be well thought out and properly managed. In addition, you won’t have to worry about taking your employees off of their other projects to manage the blog.

Blog management services are worth their weight in gold. You’ll not only save money over the long term since you won’t be diverting resources, but you will be able to project the right image for your company that will get results.

Photo Credit: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-04 05:49:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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One of the main problems facing corporate blogs is that they have a high rate of failure. This can be due to many factors, but it doesn’t mean that your blog is doomed to fail. With the right techniques and management, your blog can be incredibly successful and can serve as a powerful tool to brand your image and increase your customer base. Let’s take a look at why blogs fail and how to avoid these pitfalls.

1. Infrequent content.

When you get ready to start your corporate blog you need to make sure that you are going to have the time and resources to keep it updated on a frequent basis. Make a schedule of when you’re going to publish new content and stick to it. Many companies start out with the best intentions but they cannot keep up with the schedule they created. This leads to missed posts, and over time, their readers will simply give up. There is so much competition in the blogging world and so many different choices, that if you are not providing new content on a regular basis, your readers will have no reason to keep coming back to you.

2. Failure to use RSS feeds.

One of the best ways to let your readers know that you have new content is by utilizing RSS or Really Simply Syndication. Your blog should have an RSS feed that your readers can grab and put into their news reader. This will automatically update any time you publish new content. If you are not using an RSS feed, this means that your readers will have to take that additional step to visit your site to see if anything is new. While some users still prefer to do this, the majority of today’s blog readers rely on RSS feeds to let them know when new content is posted. By failing to use this technology, you are making it difficult for your reader’s to keep up with your blog.

3. Failure to present a personable but professional image.

Blogging is a difficult concept for many. It requires a special touch that uses enough of a personable approach to allow readers to feel a connection, but not going overboard with too much information or a bad attitude. Many blogs fail because they are too stiff, and others implode due to unprofessional posts. It is a balancing act, but it’s one that you’re going to need to master before you step into the ring.

One of the best ways to make sure that your blog doesn’t succumb to failure is to work with a blog management company. These professionals can help you navigate these treacherous waters and help you produce a blog that will get results. If you have never blogged before, don’t put your company’s image in jeopardy by jumping in. Having a pro there to help you every step of the way will make a big difference in how your blog turns out.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-06-17 05:29:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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