Remember when you were a kid and someone inevitably would say that the Boogie monster was going to get 
you? If you don’t remember that then just humor me. Maybe that was a New Jersey thing but I doubt it very much. Oh this has nothing to do with any lame “musical” duo either.
Anyway, as I deal with small and medium business, as well as some SME (small and medium enterprise), accounts I am now anticipating the reaction to any discussion around blogging. When you bring it some of these folks turn sheet white like they have seen a ghost, or what I will now affectionately refer to as the Bloggy Monster.
Relax people. The Bloggy Monster doesn’t bite. I am not even sure he has teeth. In fact, he may look big, hairy, ugly and scary to you but he really is a decent guy (or gal, I’m not sure on this one and I am not going the extra mile to find out either). He may seem bigger than life but he’s here to help not harm. Honest. I say this because as an Internet marketing consultant I am one of his PR folks. It’s my job to let the rest of the world know just how helpful he can be and to turn his image around.
Sure you think he’s here to suck all of your valuable time for no good reason. You suspect he is trying to make you reveal industry secrets that you think you are the only one who has them (really, come on now and get over yourself!). You think he will demand more of you than you can give. When you approach him with that kind of attitude it may appear that way but that’s all in your head.Here’s what he really wants to do for your business:
- Make you a thought leader
- Make you more impressive to prospects meeting you online for the first time
- Help you loosen up a bit
- Give you back some of that passion that is drained from you by your accountant or operations people
Look, he’s different and he’s not what you are accustomed to. Neither was a car to the horse and buggy crowd but what happened to those who didn’t buy in on that one? So relax and have the Bloggy Monster pull up a chair to the table. He’s on your side. Better on your side than on your competitor’s side, right? Give him a break. He can actually make you better.
FT Takeaway: Blogging is nothing to fear. You should give it more than just a passing thought. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results of taking a chance on the unfamiliar.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Frank,
This is one of the best analogies I’ve seen yet for pro-blogging. We know it’s not for everyone and it will take passion and commitment to make it really work. It’s the fear factor that holds many individuals and businesses back, even though the commitment and passion side would be easy for them. As you rightly point out, the only thing to fear is fear itself.
Oh, and in Scotland we called it the boogie man, so I guess they’re relatives?
Danny Browns last blog post..Is There Room for Market Relations?
Please tell all those who fear that I will be inventing a “Bloggy Monster” repelant!…better yet, I might just blog about the whole process! :~)
I second what Danny wrote! Excellent post and I thank you!
“The hardest fear to get over is fear of yourself!” ~Henie~
Frank
Great post (Danny – thanks for twittering it). Blogging isn’t for everyone but there are a number of companies that have seen tremendous results from it. Especially SMEs who don’t have huge marketing budgets. It is relatively easy to get going, and *ideally* you are writing about something that you are already passionate about
- Krista
Krista Nehers last blog post..Online Brand and Reputation Management – PubCon South
A spot-on assessment. If anyone wants a really simple, highly effective blogging solution that sits on top of your existing web environment, I can make it happen with a SAS platform. Let me know.
patzloff@mac.com
@Danny @Henie @Krista @Paul – Thank you so much for dropping in and leaving a note. I suspect you were all here due to Danny giving me PR Twitter style. That guy has it going!
I hope you all enjoyed and if there is ever any way i can be of service to you stop back in and ask. The worst I can say is “Uh, I don’t know” (which if you ask my wife and kids happens way too much
)
Thanks again!
“You may be pleasantly surprised at the results of taking a chance on the unfamiliar.”
It really doesn’t surprise me that you’re amazed at the results of blogging Frank. To speak bluntly I’d be amazed if anyone visited a crap I took in the desert as well.
@ Jack – What an interesting point of view. Nice to meet you too!
Frank Reeds last blog post..The New Listening