Amen brother!

“What social media does is simply allow you to do one thing: communicate. That’s it. Social media is not the conversation. It’s the room in which you hold the conversation. It still comes down to saying, doing, or producing something valuable for your customer.”

A blog helps us accomplish all of that in a way that is non-intrusive. And if we’re careful, in a way that is welcoming.

It most certainly isn’t the magic bullet to lead generation and we shouldn’t be touting our greatness on a blog using it like a loudspeaker. The leads come through the genuineness and sincerity that comes in the writing. Much like that email you received!

Agree 100%. There is a balance of guiding folks through the process without being pushy and salesy. It’s a balance that escapes many, including mostly those who are ‘teaching’ the newbies ‘how to blog.’

When I think of culture I mean the culture of carnivals, and speaking to the wrong people. Which is what most are teaching.

I think that speaking as an authority. Teaching (transparency as you say), sharing your values as a business Is what a blog is all about.

That trick is learning that it is an archival system that must speak to the wants and needs of the reader. Sales copy 101. I think most simply do not know how to sell. Then have a hard time writing. And don’t know what to write about.

I think if it sounds salezy then it is bad copy. If it does not then it is good. But it does need to send the visitor down some sort of chute. Or why bother.

So what I teach is to speak to the needs of your consumer. As salespeople/frontline business people we are asked the same questions daily. They are all pretty much the same. What are your answers? Write about those Q’s and A’s. That in my humble opinion , is a recipe to send one into blogging nirvana.

The culture of which I speak, and which I think Pat does as well, is one of transparency and honesty and a dedication to the facts and opinions that readers are searching for.

Some indeed may be successful as in transaction directly attributable to their unfocused blog. however, the day is coming when the non cultured, business focused blogger will come in and wipe the unfocused one out.