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One of the cool things about having a blog team is that you should always have fresh content available to post. But sometimes, it doesn’t work the way it should.
Recently, the Accuform Signs' blog team expanded from a one man show to 15 bloggers - which is awesome! We’ve produced some really great content, gotten some great feedback, and some real traction in the social media arena. But with any team, there’s going to be some issues.
So here are four keys to keeping that corporate blog rolling along by helping your bloggers come up with fresh content. The odds are against you. Are you up to the task?
Brainstorm ideas– When is the best time to brainstorm for blog ideas? Here are my top two answers: Anytime and Anywhere! Bloggers, if you need help brainstorming ideas, ask anyone! Ask your team leader, a teammate – your spouse or significant other. Often, those who don’t know your department the way you know it will have questions about what you’re doing and what you’re trying to accomplish. But here’s the best person to ask - Your customer! Who better to give you ideas than someone you have a great working relationship with? That’s who you’re writing for anyway, isn’t it? Or if you have an idea and no structure, get as many words out in a document and let someone help you mold your ideas into something of substance.
Continually Work that Keyword List– Did you take the time initially to jot down 10 to 20 keywords you were going to write to? Well if you didn’t, start right now. With all the blogs out there, it’s going to take you awhile to develop a readership, so blogging for SEO is extremely important in the beginning. What’s happening in your category? What are best practices? How about advancements? Anything timely you can think of? What’s your department mantra? Is it world-class customer service? Is it continuous improvement? What’s happening/has happened in your department that you could share? What books have you read/or are reading that you could get ideas from?
Take a side– Not all blog posts need to be super-labor intensive with a lot of research – they can also be a formulated opinion (obviously based on information that you already have on a subject). Take a side of an issue and argue it. Or pose a leading question. When you get someone to bite at the bait, you’ve won because you now have a conversation going. Playing devil’s advocate can be compelling, engaging fodder for a blog post.
Anything is a potential blog post - If something comes to mind, write it down or send yourself an email. And Remember, you can often formulate a whole post around an initial keyword. Once you get writing, you’ll probably formulate other questions that can become other blog posts. Most of my team has heard me say during a discussion, “That’s a great idea for a blog post.” Whether it actually is or isn’t, is irrelevant – just try to think in those terms.
Corporate bloggers of the world - the odds are against you. Most corporate blogs don’t make it past a handful of posts, and then start to collect digital dust – so beat the odds! Be the kid who sticks it out. How big is your team? Do you have the capability of posting an article a day? Twice a week? Post often, but be consistent.
So do you manage a blog team? What are your suggestions to keeping that corporate blog rolling along? You comments and encouragements are most appreciated.
