This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a role a blog can play in the success of your company. And as a blogger and entrepreneur myself, my blog is a huge part of the impact I make on potential clients every day… so this is me, giving this post a huge thumbs up!
More and more businesses now understand the importance of a blog to their company. A quick scan across business sites will show that everyone from multi-nationals to small one person organizations are using blogs to communicate with current and prospective customers.
This is good news for everyone, as blogs are one of the very best ways to communicate and engage clients or customers with a business and keep them up to date with news.
However, there is a lot more potential to blogging that many businesses are not exploiting. On top of this, there is one point that a surprisingly high number of business bloggers seem unaware of…
What a blog says about you and your brand.
Although a blog is just a small part of an overall business plan, it is a good idea to think of blogging as a company’s receptionist. The person who works on reception may not be involved in board meetings or be at the top of the pay scale (normally just the opposite), but they are often the first contact for people coming into the premises (or calling on the phone).
It is therefore vital that this person makes the right impression, as many people will judge the company by the professionalism of the receptionist.
Points to Consider Before Blogging
Blogs are just the same. To this end, it is important to remember a few key points whenever committing a blog post to the internet.
Watch Your Tone
1. Think about tone of voice. A business blog should maintain a tone of voice that is completely in tune with the business’s sector. Obviously an owner of a joke shop should have a different tone to their blog than that of a funeral director, but all blogs needs to have an appropriate tone.
A business is asking potential customers to invest their money whether this is to buy physical goods or invest in a service. If a blog does not maintain the right voice, it will come across as unprofessional and inappropriate and customers will turn away.
Perception is Everything
2. Remember at all times that how clients perceive a business will become how that business actually is: in other words, it does not matter if a business has genuinely first rate products or the highest level of professional services to offer, if customers perceive this not to be the case, they will make their buying decisions based on perception and not fact.
To this end, business blogs should resemble business face-to-face meetings: if you would not say something to customers’ faces, then don’t put in a blog.
Consider Your Image
3. Always remember your company’s image. Think how your current customers perceive your business as well how you would like prospective customers to think of you and then pitch your blog at this level.
Jokes about the latest celebrity scandal may be funny, but they are wholly inappropriate for a business blog. Every blog post is in one way a statement of intent for a business. One poor choice can undo many months of good work.
Double Check Your Content
4. A very basic (but very important) final point: ensure there are no spelling mistakes. Far too often, blogs by even the biggest names are let down by these errors. If you’ve never considered spelling that important, think again.
This is the key point: you may not consider something important but will your customers? Check and re-check, but don’t just rely on spell checkers. Look out for usage (there, their, they’re). If you’re not sure which is which, ask someone to check it for you. It really can make all the difference.
Taking time to ask yourself what your blog says about you can help make your blog a valuable asset for your business and not a liability.
What Does Your Blog Say?
Taking into consideration the above mentioned points, what do you believe your blog is saying about you and your personal brand or business? Please drop your thoughts in the comments below.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
RT @BigGirlBranding: New on #BGB- Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?- http://su.pr/Aji04J
Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? — Big Girl … http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? — Big Girl … http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? — Big Girl … http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? — Big Girl … http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? — Big Girl … http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? — Big Girl … http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
RT @BigGirlBranding Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Steve,
Some great tips.. I’m just beginning a new blog, not my first, and want it to be a blog that brings people in, so while it’s not my ‘business blog’ it is important that I set the right tone. Thanks!!!
Walker´s last [type] ..Some Day My Prince Will Come… False Advertising!
Exactly… and that’s a good point. Sometimes you don’t have to create a “business blog” – having an authority personal blog that keeps a professional tone will give people the right impression about you and they will be interested in any business endeavors you are involved in.
Agreed! I know a ton of blogs out there that start out as a personal blog… but then slowly morphs into something more and brings the blog owner business they weren’t even expecting! lol
RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?: This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a ro… http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?: This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a ro… http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?: This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a ro… http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?: This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a ro… http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?: This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a ro… http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You?: This is a guest post by Steve, regarding how important a ro… http://bit.ly/bkJwCU
Thanks for this post, Steve. I’ve just been writing about the importance of First Impressions at job interviews and now you’ve made me think about the First Impression that my blog gives.
I recently received a compliment about it, saying it looks professional but little did this person know how hard it is to achieve. I know I need to keep working at it.
For me it’s important to create the right tone of voice and I’ll be taking your advice on that.
I find it hard to decide if posts are too long, too short or just right!
So much to do… so many hills to climb…
Thank goodness for sites like this to point me in the right direction!
Linda´s last [type] ..And The Bottom Line Is…
Hey Linda… your blog is looking great.
I would aim for a blend of lengths in your post, what’s comfy for you. I tend to gravitate towards longer length posts, but every blog is different. And the longer you’re at it, you’ll begin to get a sort of rhythm established and figure out what your readers respond to most. 
First impressions can really make or break you. I’ve gotten business from having a professional signature on my emails as well as having a great looking blog and website. It really does make a difference!
Very good points! I am still working on my voice. I tend to be a real laid back kind of person even in person when I meet my potential clients.
I tend to write in a very boring voice and that frustrates me but think it has to be do with the way I was taught to write.
(inner voice is not happy right now)
teevee´s last [type] ..Teevee On TV Despite Not Having a TV Spanish Video
Aww..lol. You have to let out your inner Teevee!
I know you’ve got it in you, practice makes perfect! Read lots of ‘voices’ you like, and practice mimicking their style and flow.. eventually you’ll end up with you’re own unique hybrid. 
How do you talk to the people you meet? I’m sure you don’t sound boring to them. Try writing your post and then reading it like you were talking to a client. Maybe when you hear it out loud, you will be able to maybe work some of your vocal personality into your writing.
RT @adrianchira: RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? ##BGB ##blogging http://om.ly/phFp
RT @adrianchira: RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? ##BGB ##blogging http://om.ly/phFp
RT @adrianchira: RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? ##BGB ##blogging http://om.ly/phFp
RT @adrianchira: RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? ##BGB ##blogging http://om.ly/phFp
RT @adrianchira: RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? ##BGB ##blogging http://om.ly/phFp
RT @adrianchira: RT @BigGirlBranding: Thought to Ponder- What Does Your Blog Say About You? ##BGB ##blogging http://om.ly/phFp
Whether a blog is an extension of a business or the blog owner is planning on monetizing their blog or even selling their own product, image is very important. How you act or are perceived to be acting in your posts and your responses to your readers is paramount.
Everything you say is important to business oriented blogs, but also to any blogger who hopes to create a good reputation online. Your guidelines are important to the success of any blog.
Thank you for sharing them with us.
Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella´s last [type] ..Encourage Guest Blog Posts By Providing A Guest Posting Form
Too true Joella… blogger or biz owner or both, your online rep is uber important. Present yourself online as you would present yourself offline, in the manner you wish to be seen in, always. That’s my motto. lol
I have seen some bloggers that could be great, but they put such a very unprofessional image forward that they will never really get ahead to where they want to be. There has to be a balance between expressing your personality and being professional.
Good tips!
I especially like the ‘tone of your voice’ caveat…this can be really deceiving and under-rated as a huge factor in readership. A slippery slope that I sometimes trip on. I love the receptionist analogy, too.
Thank you Steve.
This might be a great help to some of you looking to hone your ‘voice’.
http://abbykerrink.com/video-finding-your-voice-as-a-blogger/ Miz Abby couldn’t have said it better!
You’re quite welcome.
I’ve worked hard on my main message and the tone of the site.
My blog is a Public Speaking site and my message is that anyone can become a decent Public Speaker – despite the nerves.
The tone is light hearted in order to let people know that Public Speaking can actually be lots of fun.
Thanks for a super article with some great pointers.
Keith Davis@Public speaking and Presentations´s last [type] ..A splash of colour
That’s awesome Keith, glad you enjoyed the article and found it useful.
Your blog looks great, seems you’re doing quite well for yourself with it. I hate speaking in public, but have lots of respect for folks that do!
That’s a good way to go… you can tell that the people who invoke some polite humor into their speeches appear much more confident than those who stay very monotone or serious.
I loved it when you compared blogs to receptionists – so very true.
I do agree with your points, Steve; I tried to “dress up” my blog like I would dress when going on the first date.
Best,
Ana Hoffman
Ana @ Blog Traffic Generation´s last [type] ..New Tweet Button- The Good- The Bad- The Ugly
Hey Ana!
I think you’ve got the right idea with the first date analogy…I always say put your best foot forward whenever you can!
I haven’t started my blog yet because i’m still confuse whether or not to use free or paid web hosting. However, i’m grateful that i ran over this post. If it wasn’t for you, i wouldn’t be aware of this. Thanks a lot Steve!
{ 2 trackbacks }