Posts tagged blogging
Ten blog posts that mattered
Dec 27th
I don’t look back too often but I thought this would be a good time to reflect on a few 2009{grow} posts that seemed to make a difference.
1) The Social Media Country Club
Esteemed blogger Danny Brown called this article “The best blog post of the year. Period.” This post touched on a taboo subject of the closed society of A-List bloggers and the “economy of favors” that gets in the way of dissension and innovation. The comment section is well … “lively!” I think this post made a difference because it started a conversation that has continued long after this post first appeared in August, 2009.
2) Can you out-source authenticity?
This post was a breakthrough in some ways. I think this was kind of a watershed in the community’s evolution. We had grown from being a blog to a group of friends creating some powerful content together. This article inspired related posts by Jason Falls, Danny Brown and Bill Sledzik. The work of the community in this post set the framework for an article on best practices for ghost-blogging.
3) Five social media myths that MUST STOP NOW!
“Myths” was my most tweeted and talked-about blog post of the year. Calling out the sacred cows hit a nerve.
4) Social Media Measurement: It’s like being a Great Bartender
In 2009 I wrote extensively about social media and measurement but this guest post from Jamie Lee Wallace summed it up so beautifully and capped an ambitious series. She described the process like bartending — yes, you have to measure how the job rings the cash register, but there are a lot of intangibles, too. A blogger or two have made careers writing about ROI, but this post, and the companion piece, Your Social Media ROI Shock Treatment, are really all you need to know on the subject. It’s not rocket science.
5) The Monetization of Chris Brogan
This post was significant for a couple of reasons. First, it used uber-bloggerBrogan as an example growing pains in the social media field. But it also demonstrated that the Country Club was still alive and well. The comment section got a bit out of control. Here’s a best practice folks: Read posts before commenting on them. : ) This is another post that spurred conversation far beyond the boundaries of {grow).
6) Social media expert: Women need not apply?
There are just some weird things going on between the social web and gender. I still don’t quite understand it, but the community dove into a touchy subject bravely, as always. This subject was continued on the post, Is blogging a man’s job? … and unfortunately will probably be debated for the foreseeable future.
7) Twitter for Business: Four break-through insights
This post kicked-off {grow}’s very productive relationship with Dr. Ben Hanna. The VP of Business.com and his research has been featured in seven different articles this year and I’m grateful he has been so generous with the community.
Not a very popular post but I think one of the most important ones. It addresses one of the most over-looked aspects of the inexorable connection between technology and people. The impact of the social web and the workforce of the future is vitally important. The thinking behind this post led to This is the future of social media, one of the most popular posts of 2009 and was cited in many end-of the-year round-ups.
9) A Formula for Social Media Success
This set out to codify some observations about what it takes to really create business benefits on the social web. It seemed to resonate with people and had an illustration I thought was quite funny!
10) The REAL math behind your followers Mr Twitter Bigshot!
I tried to bring a little humor on to the scene now and then, even when making a serious point. This was also a hugely popular post. It was also a lot of work!
It was difficult picking a “top 10″ but there you go! Thanks so much for being part of this great community. It was such a fun year and I’m looking forward to great things from the {grow} community in 2010.
Is this the end of the social media purists?
Nov 24th
I have never used this community to comment on another person’s blog but today I’m just so happy, so enthralled, so downright giddy that I could kiss my keyboard. One of the social media purists has finally discovered the bright, clear light of capitalism.
And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy — Jason Falls. Jason is one of my favorite bloggers but has historically been one of the stalwart “keepers of the conversation.” You know the type — the social media country clubbers who set the industry’s tone with a relentless mantra of “it’s all about connection” and “conversation” and “relationships.” In fact, a few months ago, Jason went so far as to write that any company expecting to make money off of social media will fail.
But a new day is dawning. Yesterday, in a post entitled “Why Social Media Purists Won’t Last,” he wrote:
Each time I discuss the business goals or reasons why a client wants to use social media, the answers come down to one thing: selling more stuff. It’s a harsh business reality. If you don’t make money, the business goes under. If you don’t make more money, people lose their jobs.”
The social media purists have laid down the law and, so, to participate in social media as a business, you must do things like, “participate in the conversation,” “engage your customers,” and “talk with us not to us.”
I’ve got news for you. In the world of business, all that talk will get you exactly nowhere. Conversations do not ring the cash register. Engagement does not sell more product. Talking with people just means you have to take time to listen which prevents you from spending valuable time selling more product.
Halleluia. Maybe I’ll finally have some company out here in the social media netherworld of business rationality.
And if this isn’t enough reason to celebrate, read what the Ultimate Blogging Machine Chris Brogan wrote just a month ago:
Think Like a Business – if you’re in this for business, always ask yourself how this work ties to more sales (and if you’re not trying to make money, think of “sale” as whatever you hope to convert. Hint: it’s not “more audience.”). If you’re just writing to write, shooting video to get it up there, tweeting because people said you should, rethink all that. Decide what’s going to ring your register and work on that.
What??? Ring the register? Not seeking “more audience?” Could this be an era of enlightenment for the guy who recently yelled at his audience: “This is NOT about you and your STUPID COMPANY” ?
What’s happening around here? My guess is that both have recently had a big dose of the real world. Falls went out on his own and had to come out from behind the P&L protectionism of agency life. Brogan’s sudden emergence on a bigger stage probably got him in front of experienced business people instead of the sycophants who dutifully re-tweet his every blog, bluster and burp.
So this begs a new question. Are my days as a contrarian coming to an end? I mean if Brogan’s in, the burp tweeters will fall right in line. If the social media elite are finally figuring it out, what do I write about now? Hmmm. How about, “It’s all about the conversation?” : )
The six best marketing blogs you’ve never heard of
Nov 13th
I’m constantly looking for great new marketing ideas and I’ve found a couple of up-and-coming writers who have become some of my favorite sources. I wanted to share with you a few blogs that I’ve been reading for at least a few months, are off the beaten path, and deserve a look to see if they fit for you.
CK’s Blog – Christina Kerley is simply one of the best marketing bloggers out there and she specializes in B2B to boot. CK is a consistent source of fresh ideas and original perspectives. Her blogs are “how-to” manuals!
Digital Marketing Today — Nitin Gupta is just so freaking smart. He doesn’t blog often, but when he does, he provides thought-provoking, thorough commentary. Nitin recently converted his blog from observations on the financial services industry to digital marketing in general. Even when it was just about banking I liked it … now I love it.
Dumb Little Man — The world’s most useful blog. A team of writers contribute short, punchy articles on how to make life easier. Recent topics include “How to manage your time on social media,” “How to motivate your team” and “Six Tips to Re-Engerize in the Afternoon.” It’s not strictly about marketing, but it’s just so darn helpful.
Neicole Crepeau – Neicole is a tech-savvy writer and a great thinker. Her posts on Twitter and social media are consistently interesting and a couple of times each month she really smacks one out of the park with a post that is completely original and provocative. She is finding her blogging “voice” and is getting better and better each month.
One True Sentence — I don’t know how she does it, but Rebecca Denison puts out a summary of the best social media marketing, measurement and PR blog posts of the day … well most days at least! And she doesn’t just cover the same blogs all the time so it’s a great way to see a diverse digest of quality social media topics.
Phoenix Rising — Rebel Brown has been consulting on business transformations and start-ups in California for more than 20 years. Why wouldn’t you listen to her business advice? I like her posts because she draws on real-world experience, doesn’t pull any punches, and examines the human side of business. It’s a fun and ballsy blog.
So there are a few new idea-generators for you to consider. For good measure, of the “mainstream” blogs, here are the three I read most consistently:
Tough Sledding — Bill Sledzik teaches PR at Kent State University. His posts are like going to school. I love the way he explores current topics and inserts his own observations and experiences … just like an effective teacher. He hates to be called a marketing guy but I do it to piss him off. Bill, it’s ALL marketing.
Jeff Bullas — I don’t believe there is anybody who provides so much depth to the social media marketing conversation so consistently. I look forward to every post from Down Under. The man is very talented and insightful!
Social Media Explorer — For my money, Jason Falls is the best social media blogger in the business. He covers it all — technology, business applications, trends and opinion. He’s freaky smart, a superb writer and a fellow WVU grad. What’s not to like?
OK, I’ve shared with you … now it’s your turn. That’s how it works around here! So, what are you reading these days? How about sharing your favorite blogs with the rest of the community in the comment section!
Illustration: www.gapingvoid.com
Andrew Carnegie on Social Media
Sep 12th
Welcome to {grow}
You’re in marketing for one reason: Grow.
Grow your company, reputation, customers, impact, profits. Grow yourself. This is a community that will help. It will stretch your mind, connect you to fascinating people, and provide some fun along the way. I am so glad you’re here.
-Mark SchaeferFollow Mark
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