Business Secret: I Just Want to be Average

By on December 21, 2006 in Blog Coach with 7 Comments

Two snippets from conversations I’ve had recently about whether a company should blog or not:

The first one didn’t have a web presence at all:

Company: "I don’t want to give away my business secrets."
Me: "The only secret right now is that you’re in business at all."

Another discussion was about time management:

Business Person: "You don’t expect the average business person to spend extra time in a busy day writing and reading blogs, do you?
Me: "Nope – but that’s part of why the average business person is average."

Look, I don’t think every business should blog – though I think every business could blog.

  • Is there passion in your work?
  • Do you enjoy building a network of people who make you smarter?
  • Are you in love with your customers (It’s okay to say "love" in business – Farber gave me permission).
  • Want to extend the reach of your voice beyond current boundaries?

Consider a blog for your business. 

I’ve turned down folks who want a blog because I don’t see the traits above. I’ll teach them how to read feeds – and if they prove themselves in that, we’ll get to work on blogging.

But woe to both of us if we just willy-nilly put a blog in your hands. If your blog goes silent, isn’t it just another (cob)web site without the flash? How does that make you look?

As I’ve said in the past, I’m an Un-Consultant. A Blog Coach.

  • A singer won’t hire a vocal coach to be the next Average Idol.
  • Physical Trainers are very nice people – until you get in the gym.
  • My football coach told me if he ever stopped riding my case, that was the day I would stop playing (because at that point, he would decide I was uncoachable).

Wanna play at a different level in business next year? Hire a kick-you-in-your-hindknee coach that will get you there. Leave the ear-scratching, "whatever-you-want-dear-client" to someone else.

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I hear it from a lot of business owners: “Where is the ROI with all this Social Media?“ If this is a question you ask yourself, maybe we should work together a bit more. We can work together solo, or via a professional learning community. Find and increase your ROI. There is a “there” there.

About Mike Sansone:

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  • http://www.blogopreneur.com Kian Ann

    hey there Mike,
    I think every business could blog too – the thing is, business blogs don’t have to be official. For a small startup, very often YOU = THE BUSINESS, so just by adding small snippets of what is going on in business occasionally will create some buzz.
    When the business grows bigger – then we have more to talk about and create those blogs like FastLane ;)

  • http://getanewbrowser.com Andy Brudtkuhl

    “Nope – but that’s part of why the average business person is average.” That’s a great response!
    I on the other hand think every business should blog. Why not? It’s effective and efficient edge management. You don’t have to write every day. But adding another conversation channel with your customers can be essential in building a relationship with them.
    Also, If I had employees reading blogs it would be mandatory that they ‘waste’ their time reading blogs. If your employees aren’t cutting edge than your company is not. You then should just go join Microsoft at the back of the innovation line.

  • Madena M Burman

    The problem with people being “average” isn’t that they want to stay “average”. We are a society of over-scheduled, running around with our heads cut off, boundaryless people. People need to set boundaries. You have heard of “pick your battles” in marriage…it carries over into other aspects of our lives including work. The reason your “potential” client was overwhelmed at the thought of another task in his daily routine is because his days are filled with too much junk he should have said “no” to. Stop saying “yes” to EVERYTHING. Find out what really matters to you and your company and leave the rest in the trash bin. You will be amazed at how much time you have found for what is important.

  • http://www.allbusiness.com/blog/CustomerServiceExperience/10783 Glenn (Customer Service Experience) Ross

    Business people who say they don’t have time to read blogs are the same people who, 15 years ago, said they didn’t have time to read e-mails. So they wouldn’t use a computer.
    It’s about what’s important to you. If it’s important enough, you’ll find the time to do it.
    Regards,
    Glenn

  • Mitch Matthews

    Mike…
    I read this and I am reminded of a conversation we once had…
    You pulled me over to our own table at Panera.
    You had a serious look on your face. With a slight smile, you looked at me and said… “I love you.”
    I said, “Man… Mike. You are such a great brother… I agree. There’s a lot of love here.”
    You kept that stone cold look and you said it again. “I love you.”
    I said, “Wow Mike. Thanks man. I needed the encouragement. I’ll take that. I love you too bro.”
    Then… a third time. “I love you.”
    Then I got it. “Oh… there’s some ‘tough love’ coming… isn’t there?”
    You simply said, “Yup.”
    Then you walked me through some of the things that were “average” with my blog. You did it in an encouraging way… but you showed me where the king was naked. You showed me my blind spots.
    And… that ‘tough love’ made all the difference!
    Thanks buddy!
    Seriously… you help a lot of people get… and stay… above average!
    Thanks for the love… Brother Bread!
    Merry Christmas,
    Mitch

  • http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com Derrick Daye

    Mike,
    Not everyone can ‘get it’. Not everyone can be ahead of a curve. It’s almost a special club. Remember these great nay-sayers?
    “Who the hell want’s to hear actors talk?”
    - H.M. Warner, 1927, Founder of Warner Brothers.
    “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”
    - Decca Recording Co., rejecting the Beatles
    This week I was speaking to a well-known author about blogging. I could tell it was tough for him to understand the value. I explained to him the immediate ROI of Mental Profit. (New perspectives and new people in your universe)
    He’s ‘thinking’ about it.
    Open minds lead the way.
    All the best for you in 2007 – Derrick

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >Kian, great point about blogs not having to be “official,” especially for smaller businesses. Just getting to know the people or person behind the business will help customers connect.
    >Andy, my only answer to “why not” would be if the business started a blog because they were hot. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a few companies not really keen to talking with their customers still want a blog. I agree with allowing employees to read blogs, especially customer service, sales, tech, marketing, hr, communications (everyone).
    >Madena, yep…by not saying no to ealier, low priority tasks – they are missing an opportunity to work with tools that actually save some people time and create great relationships.
    >Glenn: your “If it’s important enough, you’ll find the time to do it” line is perfect. Can I borrow this? If the relationships, knowledge, conversation, growth is important – we’ll find time.
    >Mitch:-) Thanks for receiving love graciously.
    >Derrick: Some great quotes and there are probably so many more. Thanks for sharing those.
    Appreciate the responses to this post. Have an extraordinary 2007

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