Can You Go Blog Meme Bankrupt?

By on June 3, 2007 in Blog Coach with 11 Comments

Tony Clark has a wonderful post on Blog Meme Debt where he declares meme bankruptcy (solid comments on his post – don’t skip ‘em). Many – including myself – have probably experienced this at one time or another.

As a business blog coach (businesses blogging, rather than blogging as a business), my suggestions to folks I work with may be a bit different.

What is a Meme? The question is in itself a meme. Some of my favorite meme explanations are by Sharon B and a three-part series by Jane Greer (whom I still owe from April!)

What Does a Business Blogger Do With a Meme?

  • Understand that blog posts are living archives. Answering a meme tag can be whenever you get a round to it. In fact, a blog meme can gain new life from the delay.
  • Bring it back around to your business or passion. While this sounds a bit "businessy" for blogging, you can always find a way. Whether it’s about leaving a legacy, staying focused or simply sharing a beverage and your brand – finding a way to bring back around will help filter which memes you participate.
  • Acknowledge the tag in some manner (a comment, email or link)
  • No pressure. This is blogging, not brain surgery. No blood will be spilled if you don’t meme back.

What if I‘ve Don’t Get Tagged. If you see something you want to take part in, you have a standing invitation for emulation. Make it your own. A good meme will fly with or without the tagging. Joanna Young does this very well (and always with purpose).

Lastly, remember the weekends (actually, Drew coached me on this one). Weekends are made for meme-on-a-blog.

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  • http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/ Villager

    I am relatively new to blogging … began in Jan 2007. I decided that a weekly meme (or two) is a good way to rest when you have writer’s block. I participate in two weekly memes –> Manic Monday and Wordless Wednesday. My Manic Monday posts usually tie back to the Afrocentric nature of my blog. My Wordless Wednesday photos have been rhino-specific in tribute to my favorite animal and corporate logo (soon to be unveiled).
    Your post fits my thoughts on memes. Thanx for taking time to share it with us.
    peace, Villager

  • http://brainbasedbiz.blogspot.com Robyn McMaster

    When Drew tagged us for the Glass Half Full meme, Mike, he called you the “Blog Father.” You prove it here with such great blogging tips! I sometimes forget to say, “jump right in and participate if you’d enjoy it.” Glad you shared that with newbies!

  • http://www.productivitygoal.com Carolyn Manning

    Maybe this isn’t exactly what you meant, Mike, but I like the idea of working the meme into a post around your business, passion, blog. It takes it out of the “what I did last summer” realm and can make it more interesting, as well as more meaningful.

  • http://essentialkeystrokes.com Char

    We all must be thinking along the same lines. I took advantage of some TV time last night and whipped up a two-fer meme blog post. Weekends are made for fun – even on a business blog.
    Have a great week!

  • http://workingsolo.com.au Leah Maclean

    I agree that blog meme debt can get out of hand, I know that mine has of late. And I agree with Char that weekends are for fun, BUT for me the weekends are where me and my blog part company. I fit into the category of a business person that blogs and it is not the be-all and end-all to my business promotion and my communications with clients and my market.
    I’ve found that just like there is a chance to go into blog-meme bankruptcy, I can go into general blogging bankruptcy if I spend too much time with it. So like most things in life, if there are blog things that slip through the cracks and don’t get done it is because something more important has my attention and time.

  • http://successfromthenest.com/ Tony D. Clark

    Hey Mike – Thanks for offering your insight on this.
    One of the reasons I wrote the post is my own struggle with how to work them in, yet stay on topic.
    I appreciate your perspective. Some great advice here, both in your post and in the comments.

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

    >Hi Villager – You’re already onto a good practice. As content producers, we should always be looking for good sources of content. Look forward to the new logo. Keep charging!
    >Hi Robyn – Just ‘jump(ing) right in’ is probably how many folks started blogging, hmm?:-) Finding a good meme and posting away is a great way to jump start things (as Villager says above).
    >Hiya Carolyn – You hit the target with that advice. As often as you can, always bring it back around (or get close) – our readers rely on it, yes?
    >Hi Char, Blogger Sensory Perception (BSP?)
    >Hey Leah – great tip here! We can go bankrupt in life if all we do is blog, right? Just like any other post, I’ll always suggest 15-30 minutes and out on a meme post. Way to stay balanced.
    >Hiya Tony – thanks for bringing the query to the conversphere!

  • http://www.confidentwriting.com Joanna Young

    Hi Mike, thanks for prompting the discussion on this (and the link!) I suppose I think of memes as another form of the conversation – there are some that you want to be part of (because they fit with what you’re doing, your overall purpose, or because it’s a set of voices you want to engage with) but some you’re happy to let you pass by.
    Joanna

  • http://dmiracle.com/ Dawud Miracle

    So true. And, memes can also be great ways to build relationships and get to know other bloggers. Especially if you’re new to blogging or are struggling to write…memes can open whole new avenues.

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