Keeping Corporate Bloggers Motivated is Worth the Effort!

Corporations worldwide are taking online corporate communications much more seriously than ever before. Companies are starting to rise up to the reality that people are now more connected than ever because of the Internet. Moreover, through the use of online social media such as Facebook, forums, and the blogosphere, people are connected to one another at an unprecedented rate. People are using online social media as a means to not only gather information, but to stay connected, seek out new products, keep up with the times, get advice, and much more.

The Internet has shifted a great deal of how people live on a daily basis and do business altogether. With more people sharing knowledge through forums and blogs, it is clear to see why ignoring online communications or what is being said about a company’s products, services and other goods online would lead companies to miss out on a multifaceted opportunity that could reach the masses, lead to a better brand image or name, garner more business, and lead to additional income.

According to a Pew Internet & American Life Project Survey, 58% of the US population, as of 2007, consults the Internet as their first source of information; the highest statistic of more traditional sources, such as professional advisers or newspapers and magazines. Although many corporations and small businesses have blogs as a form of external communication (about 89% according to GuideWireGroup.com), most companies face a problem with maintaining enthusiasm for blogging, and find encouraging adoption a hindrance; resulting in minimum blog use.

How do companies maintain enthusiasm for blogging and what can they do to motivate blogging? One suggestion from clickZ.com states that guidelines should be formulated and followed as any other policy to maintain blogging. Another suggestion from lifehack.org states that if you're running out of steam for blogging, the best way to get inspired, stay motivated and feel confident in your blogging is to engage in others' blogs read other posts and converse with others who post blogs.

Lorelle.wordpress.com gives us several ways to overcome the blogging slump including setting realistic goals that won't sabotage your efforts; as well as blogging about something that you really enjoy or found interesting.

If companies now are following a relationship-based approach to gaining business, then they should also utilize the blogosphere and other social media as a way to create and maintain relationships as any other traditional form.