As part of my Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce networking group, I was asked for my definition of a blog and a post. Are they the same thing? Where does a company or person blog and post? Blogging and posting: what are they and what is the difference?
Before I advise someone on blogging or posting, I ask a simple question. Why do you want to blog or post? Is this to get visitors to your web site? Are you selling a product or a service? Instead, are you trying to improve your reputation (which in turn helps sell your product or service)? It’s critical to know why you want to blog.
Blog used to be short for “Web Log”. Now, I say it stands for Building Links On Google. Blogging is important for SEO or search engine optimization. You want your site found, and blogging helps. Blogs should be on your own web site and must match your brand. It is also important to write weekly or at least twice a month.
To be a Blog, your writing must meet certain criteria. A blog is a short magazine or newspaper type of article, 300 to 500 words long. It must be original and show you are an expert or provide advice on a topic. By aiming for 300 to 500 words, you can keep the attention of your users. More than 500 words and you lose folks. Less than 300 words and search engines seem to not care.
Posting is a short blurb you put on another website that can stand alone as a comment, or reference another web page, including your Blog. A post must be fun and interesting, daily if possible, and be conversational with an opportunity for sharing.
Why? What is the point? On many social media sites there is no opportunity to sell. My answer is Coca-Cola. How many times do you see a billboard advertising Coke? Ever pulled up under one of those billboards to get an ice-cold can? Probably not, and that is the point.
In today’s world, companies need to have a “presence” in many places such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, FourSquare and the list goes on and on. Just as Coke is on a billboard, Social Media is your opportunity to be on a billboard. Like a billboard, keep it brief. Let a picture be your 1,000 words.
You should realize any blog or post is an advertisement. These things take time and money. You can do them yourself, or hire an agency to do them for you. Whether writing nice articles or just posting some witty comments, have a consistent message and always represent your brand well. Above all, have a point to your main site and then work it… work it… work it.
