Social Media 101: Tactics and Tips to DevelopYour Business Online

Chapter 29. Performance and Your Audience: Blogging Tips

Performance. When you blog or podcast or record a video, it is an opportunity for a performance, a presentation, a distilled and distinct package of information. It is your chance to connect with your audience and deliver something of value. It is an obligation and a pact.

It's fine to use these tools for conversation, but consider your audience. Think about how little time they have in a day. Think about the places where they will be spending their time.

BE BRIEF

Can you say it faster? Do so.

APPEAL TO THEIR SENSE OF SELF

Can you tell a story? Will the story help your audience think of themselves? Will your words bring their minds awake?

BE PREPARED

It's not pressure to write good posts. It's not difficult to come up with topics for your podcast. It's your choice as a producer of good content. Think ahead. Keep a notepad file somewhere for ideas to use later, when you're stuck. Record a few extra "evergreen" bits to dispense at times you would otherwise come up short.

BE RESPECTFUL

Your audience is brilliant. You sometimes know something they don't. But treat them as though they are masterful and brilliant, as though you're just sharing this information in case they want to brush up. You're not a god. You're a communicator.

BE CONVERSATIONAL (YET CONCISE)

Talk as if you're addressing humans. I write as if you and I are having a conversation. Yet I try to keep things tight. I don't fret over it. I practice by posting once or twice a ...