Over time, it has become accepted blogging dogma, that blogs build relationships, between the blog writer and the blog readership. The concept of blog relationship building has been promoted and marketed as one of the most powerful reasons for starting a blog; especially business blogs.
I have been a strong advocate of the relationship building aspects of blogging myself. Perhaps I have been promoting a myth of blogging power. Maybe I have been suggesting the right idea that blogs can change lives. A third possibility could be that blogging might build strong relationships between blogger and reader under the right circumstances; and fail miserably in others.
Leading author and business blogger Susannah Gardner (pictured above) of Buzz Marketing With Blogs has stepped forward and taken the blogs as relationship builders concept to task. Susannah believes that the entire relationship idea is a myth, and one that is being perpetuated without any basis in reality.
Susannah says:
So, really, I wonder about the phrase I’ve used a million times: “Blogs are about building relationships.” Are they really? Don’t most relationships grow, change, deepen? Is there really a chance for that with a blog, or does it just feel like it?
Like me, Susannah has discussed the relationship building aspect of blogging as an accepted truism. The idea is quite probably oversold by we evangelists of the blogging cause. On the other hand, there is indeed some truth in the concept as well. Under the proper circumstances, and used correctly, blogs can build relationships. The connections made are not automatic and must be nurtured and helped to grow over time. A blog alone is not the mythical magic bullet for success.
A blog is simply a tool. As with any tool, if used correctly and in the right circumstances, a blog can be very powerful. Employed poorly and without skill, and used for the wrong reasons, a blog will be very ineffective at achieving its goals. The blog is dependent upon the writing skill, motivation, personality, and type of information provided by the author.
It's probably safe to say that an interesting, informative, well written blog that reflects it's writer's personality, will be more effective than a blog that fails in those key areaas. It's also safe to say that some blog readers will not connect with a blog owner under any circumstances. On the other hand, many blog visitors will want to develop a deeper and more permanent connection with the blogger. Most readers are somewhere in the middle.
There's the rub.
A blog can only do so much on its own. In many ways, it represents a letter of introduction from the writer to the reader. The blog offers to start a conversation. Not everyone is going to respond to that offer; although some readers will do so. On the other hand, it's also up to the blogger to help develop those potential relationships from the blogging end.
Blog comments and e-mail exchanges, internet messenger and telephone conversations between people introduced by way of the blog, and live offline meetings between people are all forms of blog created personal interaction. Some of these newly formed acquaintances will grow and prosper, while others might not last past the handshake phase.
Susannah Gardner is correct about one thing. The idea that blogs build relationships can mislead people into granting the blog a power it doesn't possess. The blog is not some all powerful mythical being, able to create clients, customers, friends, and interpersonal relationships by waving a magic wand. As author of the successful and excellent book Buzz Marketing With Blogs (shown left), her opinion resulted from extensive research into blogging.
All developing relationships of any type, whether business, friendship, or romantic require some effort on the part of everyone involved. Blogs are no different in that regard.
Blogs are simply one of many starting points for relation building. Used properly, and wisely, a blog can definitely start, nurture, and develop relationships between the blogger and the reader. It's not really an all one or all of the other type situation. The blog will be successful in many cases, and create many powerful connections. The blog will fail to strike a chord in other readers entirely.
Permanent relationships just aren't going to happen on their own. The blog is not some magic entity that can create interpersonal connections out of thin air. It's simply another tool; and no tool is perfect.
Not even the blog.
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