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The term “blog” was coined in 1997 by Jorn Barger as a shortened version of the “web log.” That was 16 years ago. Time for a change perhaps.
How about a shortened version of “web observation?” What about BOBs?
And how about making BOBs shorter and fun? Come on, how many blogs do you read from start to finish? How many posts do you begin write, save, then go back and delete without reading? Very few of us have the time to commit.
BOBs could work, especially if you tie them together with memorable quotes, jokes or thoughts.
Painting the Size of the Internet
The size and scope of the Internet is hard to fathom. If you do business in multiple cities, however, you must understand and execute a “local” search strategy. Then, when you dominate local search, don’t forget you’re still operating with a massively powerful, worldwide customer service medium. It’s a small (web) world, but I wouldn’t want to paint it. (Nod to comedian Steven Wright)
Content is Not About You
Write for your prospect and your consumers. Not you. You’re not solving your problems. You’re solving your consumers’ problems. Know your value proposition. Know what you’re consumers’ problems are and create content that speaks to them! And remember, the reason you talk to yourself is because you are the only one whose answers you accept. (Nod to George Carlin)
What might your BOBs look like? Give us an idea in the comments.
For help in crafting the highest-quality blog content possible (regardless of length), download this blog optimization guide in PDF or Kindle format.
Bill Edwards
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It’s an interesting idea, but I think we did see a lot more short blog posts in the past. In recent years they’ve essentially been replaced by Tweets, Facebook and LinkedIn updates, sharing images on Pinterest etc, and the blog format has become the home of longer, more detailed information.
But I think that there’s definitely an argument that too many people are stretching out content to meet a required length guidelines, when a few sentences would be more effective, and the focus should always be on readers first.
No doubt there’s room and a need for mid to longer form blogs. Especially when they are truly informative.
Well said, Bill.
A lot of bloggers have to step away from a solipsistic or narcissistic approach to their writing, and ask themselves what are they are actually contributing to the web. By doing so, they’ll be cutting back on the overgrown verges of the internet and become more stringent over their quality control.
Good points. Asking what you’re contributing to the web … that’s key. And “contributions” don’t have word count rules.