Is Business Bad For Blogging?

Gretchen Says Yes.

I choked on blogging because I was thinking about business, says JobSyntax Dog Lady.

You know that Zen story about the old archer?

There was this super archer, eh? And, he was like demonstrating his skills at a tournament? And then all of a sudden there was this prize involved. And he missed his target because he was busy thinking about that prize.

That's how Gretchen pictures herself. When she was at the Microsoft Jobsblog she had lots of fun conversationally frolicking with Zoe and all of the geeks online. The business? Well, let Bill Gates worry about that.

And the Microsoft Jobsblog was a phenomenal success. It seemed to be THE classic recruiting blog to me.

But, things changed when she started Job Syntax. Concerned, now, about the business she was less at ease about blogging for fun. Her tone became stiff and proper and she never felt that she could leave the hustle behind.

But, I can't say that this problem was overwhelming. Just look at this posting she did for me.

Hi, I'm Gretchen Ledgard, the JobSyntax Dog Lady. I believe in dogs, JobSyntax and America and, today, I'm your guest host on the Recruiting Animal blog.

Okay, I wrote that. But remember this: she let me write it. So she never became quite as stuffy as she now claims.

But, she does have a point. When you start curbing your enthusiasm to promote a business-like image, the blogging spirit dies.

So here's what Gretchen advises: don't write a blog that pushes your business. Just write a good blog and the business will follow.

Networking is not transactional, it's strategic.

That's the rule of networking in general and business blogging, too. It's not a matter of going out looking for direct, immediate gains.

But if you make a point of having fun and helping people with no eye on immediate rewards, eventually, the chickens will come home to roost and there will big-time karma associated with your blog. (At least, that's what I tell myself at night before I go to bed).

Source: JobSyntax

Comments

[gretchen]

hee. thanks for the mention as always! :) Blog on!