Blogs in brief
Put very simply, a blog is a succession of entries (called “posts”) ordered on a page so that the latest one is shown first. Some people use them as online diaries, others as a way of sparking discussion or debate, and some simply as notebooks to store their ideas.
Either way, a blog isn’t really a blog unless it exists in what we call the “blogosphere” which is an interconnected space with no central control centre or governing body, but a set of standards and ethics (a bit like the Internet as a whole). The only thing stopping the blogosphere from being exactly the same as the Internet is that the content is serialized (one post follows another).
It’s about chat
It’s very useful - but not essential - for you to have your own blog. By writing about what you know (your business) you can begin to establish yourself as an authority within your industry. By enabling comments within your blog you can engage in debate, and even allow your customers to critique your commercial offering in a public space and help you improve it.
But what if they’re mean?
By opening your blog up to comments - which you should always do - it means you are no longer broadcasting blindly to your audience, but letting them talk about your products or services in a space you can manage.
This doesn’t mean that you quash any criticism levied at you, but instead you counter those negative comments with a helpful response. If people don’t see you reacting well to a disatisfied customer and instead see nothing but a sea of glowing reviews, how will that affect their trust in your editorial policy?
