Why we are obsessed with Failure and Positive Thinking?

Write About What you Know...or want to know

I don't just write blogs for myself, I also write them for my clients, and I am not an expert on construction, technology, electricity, and consulting.  My clients provide me the topics and industry terms, I do some research and then I make it real. 

Remember blogs are not a term thesis.  I think about what I would want to read on an industry specific topic.  In most cases people either what to learn something new or be entertained and, in most cases, both.  Start with a story to draw in your reader, share with them something new, and stay light.  Was there a struggle, is there a need, or are you just excited about a new finding? Content is consumed fast on social media, it is not the medium for sharing in-depth information.  However, a story will help make the details more interesting.  Think inspirational, failure/struggle, or something new that will change the way we run our business or life.

On Twitter, you can link to a blog for more content, but quick witty thoughts on a topic actually make people stop as they are scanning the latest posts.  Think  about what you do know, or do not know about the latest trending topic.   Ask a question, make a comment, stay light and interesting and stay away from being ugly.

Show Some Personality

It took me some time to move from my typical business writing for case studies and collateral to that of writing for social media. Typically I would write about the latest finding, widgets, or product offering for a client.  'Just the facts, ma'am.'  Social Media is different, writing cannot be flat and boring, share something about yourself.  You don't need to tell us about your weekend rendezvous, but sharing photos and information from the Rangers game is good.

What have you experienced in business or life that would be helpful or interesting to others?  We all struggle, we all have successes, we all rely on something to drive us.  Share this information along with your business insight.  Not only will the stories of your journey help someone else, your content will more likely be read and shared.

One of my favorite resent posts was all about the Rangers and Cowboys, but it really wasn't about that at all.  It just started out with a local Texas story and went on from there with the topic.  This particular blog was being shared like crazy.  The blog was not gimmicky, but it was relatable so people stopped to read and share the authors post.

Be Authentic

Don't try to write or be like someone else.  There are blogs and content that I read that I find interesting, but it is not my voice. I have a client who enjoys a blog that ties back into history and war references.  The blog is written very well and always has a moral to the story that ties back into present day.  The client asked if I would write similar blogs for him. Unfortunately, that's just not my voice.  I am not a history and war buff, and I think my stories would fall flat.

Write in your own voice, be who you are.  We post on social media for many reasons, but at the end of the day, it's so we can garner more sales for our business.  So if you write to increase SEO, or to share the latest product or service, the end result is to have a more profitable business.

People want to do business with a real person.  Getting too political may not be a good idea, but if you love competing in triathlons or golfing on the weekends, tie it into your posts.  Don't call your employees (or former employees) out in a negative way, but if you have an employee who is being recognize or did something great, let the world know.

Whether fiction or nonfiction,  we read books for the story.  This is the same for blogs and content on social media.  Most books contain a mixture of struggle, resolutions and excitement.  Think about your story or your business's story.  Don't write a book, but do make your content engaging.