Having launched the UK's first fully-managed blog marketing service in 2005, it's fair to say that I've seen a few blogs over the years. Some good. Some bad. Some that are no longer with us. Such is life in the blogosphere.
The biggest challenge once a business makes blog marketing a part of their communications mix is often how to maintain a healthy, consistent, profitable and interesting blog.
There's nothing worse than a tired out blog to instantly damage a Brand's online reputation. The sort of blog where you can almost feel the writer yawning as they're posting the content.
This is a picture of my cat, Tegen, yawning - and no, I wasn't writing a blog post at the time. She illustrates my point well about boring blogs, though, with that yawn.
So, if your blog marketing is tired, and your blog is getting difficult to maintain, here's my Top Tips on re-vitalising it. A well-constructed, well-written, well-thought-out blog is a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal.
* How are you different?
Too many blogs are the same. Standing out and highlighting the differences in your business via blog marketing is a brilliant way to demonstrate to any readers/potential clients why doing business with you or buying your products is a no-brainer.
* Why are you here?
Too many blogs are commenting on other blogs, or flogging themselves and their services badly. This is not blog marketing. By highlighting consistently through your blog why you're online, why you're sharing insights and expertise, you'll build loyalty.
* What makes you brilliant?
Too many blogs are stating the obvious, but not showcasing brilliant, different, innovative thinking and service delivery. Be brave and take your blog marketing to the next level. Stand up and let it shine - consider challenging the status quo via your blog.
* When did you start yawning?
Too many blogs are written in a safe, personality-less, corporate, anodyne tone. The yawn is almost audible in some of them. Step up your blog marketing - brainstorm regularly. Invest, energy, time and creativity into your blogging. Your readers demand it.
* Who are you blogging for?
Too many blogs are simply talking to themselves, in an online exercise of navel-gazing. Effective blog marketing doesn't exist in a self-important vacuum. Remember to write your blog for current clients, future clients, and visitors via Google search terms.
* Where are you going with it?
Too many blogs lack direction, structure and strategy. A random blog written on a whim is not blog marketing. Put effort and structured planning into your blog marketing and everything that goes with it. This is highly attractive for potential clients.