Like most people, I had a pretty dim view of Microsoft. I use Microsoft software because I have to (despite constant pressure from my Mac loving associates) but I can't say I have ever been enamoured with it. And like most people, I viewed Microsoft as a faceless leviathan which munched money and spewed out problem riddled software.
However, things have changed. Granted, some of the software still may be problem-riddled, but Microsoft has become a flag-bearer for the benefit of corporate blogging. If any business is curious about how blogging may actually make a difference to their organisation, they should look at the turnaround in the view of Microsoft seeing that some 4500 of its employees now have a public and very human face.
And one of those very human faces is Darren Strange who has been maintaining the OfficeRocker blog for more than two years now. Darren was a really nice guy. The guy next door. Someone you could enjoy a pint with down at the pub. He didn't have sharp teeth or greedy, rolling eyes at all.
Darren gave nine valuable hints on how to blog successfully. They are very simple, but all very true and are clearly one of the secrets to his success as a blogger.
- Be authentic and human - no pretending to be someone you aren't and no marketing babble
- Set your own pace. Be patient - don't try and blog 20 times a day and then give up after 3 weeks when you only have two subscribers
- It's about conversation, not traffic - an excellent point which I will expand on in a later post. Don't get suckered in by the lure of search engine placement. That isn't what it is all about
- Welcome criticism - it isn't nice, but it will make you stronger
- Link. Link. Link - be generous in your linking, and others will be generous to you
- Don't sell, don't be corporate - it's the fastest way to lose readers
- Don't blog when you're down/drunk/angry - there's nothing worse than wishing you hadn't said something...
- Blog while the idea is fresh - the enthusiasm will show out in the post, but if you leave it until tomorrow, it might not seem so interesting
- Blog smart! - it's a public face. Don't undermine yourself, your company or your reputation
The nicest thing about Darren was that he clearly spoke from the heart. He was a walking example of the unwritten rule that the only way you can build, and keep, a reputation is to be authentic and be yourself.
I am sure every one of you reading this is just as human, and just as nice as Darren was. Why don't you let your customers see that...
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