Lots of articles on social media talk about how critical a blog is to a business’ online strategy. The old edict of “publish or perish” has been embraced and updated to include tweets, Facebook and LinkedIn updates and an increasingly ubiquitous barrage of blog posts.
As we discussed last week, Nicholas Negroponte coined the phrase “content is king” in his book Being Digital. Since then, modern communicators have enthusiastically picked up the gauntlet, publishing page after page and screen after screen of opinions.
My question is this – is anyone actually reading all this stuff? I know what happens when the proverbial tree falls in the deserted forest but what happens when all these unsolicited words fill more and more blogs?
When I speak at corporate conferences I share the dais with lots of newly minted social media experts who will tell you that they’ve built their entire businesses through blogging. And even though Google Analytics can track every hit and report back with voluminous metrics, cataloging who visited, how long they stayed on site and where they’re from, is that also much ado about nothing? Other than some clearly successful outliers such as Mashable, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Tim Ferriss, Jeremiah Owyang, Brian Solis, Alex DC and a few more, is anyone actually paying attention?
Of course, all of this just begs the obvious – is anyone reading MY blog? Well, besides the fact that you’ve read this far (thank you), I’m just happy to have an outlet for what I want to say. I’m pleased when people comment online or tell me they thought what I wrote was either smart or hilarious. And if a printout makes it to my mom’s refrigerator, that’s the best consumer response I could ask for. After all, even Google can’t show me the metrics on making my mom happy!!
Tags: Alex DC, Brian Solis, Gizmodo, Google Anallytics, Jeremiah Owyang, Mashable, TechCrunch, Tim Ferriss
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Randy Gage. Randy Gage said: RT @BruceTurkel: Is Anyone Reading This Stuff? http://ping.fm/Jl8Lg New post. Please read and RT. [...]
Thanks Bruce
Good stuff !
Bruce,
I read your stuff – and some stuff of others, but agree there’s so much stuff out there, one needs to be selective given the time it takes to find content of value.
Your stuff is good stuff and of the few that I find of value. I’m sure you make your Mom happy!
Best,
Sal
Bruce….as a long time fan of your witty but usually serious view of marketing and life in general, I am thrilled that you share your thoughts with the world. Your ideas, views, opinions and editorials often end up on our company “community board”. Please continue doing what you do!
I think most blogging takes place primarily for page ranking. Search engines keep their formula for page ranking under lock and key. Meta-tags, keywords–admittedly, they change their formulas often. But what always seems to make the list is fresh content with a repetition of words. If you are blogging everyday about Yorkshire Terriers and you mention the breed by name, chances are you will land way up there in the results.
Oh yeah, some people still blog because they have something important to say, but that is the minority. Bruce’s blog is worth inclusion into the refrigerator gallery.
Bruce: you are the best son any mother could hope for. You should teach my kid how to write interesting things for MY fridge. Kirk’s Mom
Yes….I’m reading yours and others. Sometimes I have to stop reading and do some work!!!
Yes, we are reading. But I agree with Sal, you have to be selective…too much ‘stuff’, too little time.
Keep ‘em coming. If I may make a suggestion, taking your Mom to a nice lunch or dinner will also make her happy!!
I’m reading it! (As far as your mom’s refrigerator…)
Your stuff is good and that’s why I read it!
Bruce, it’s very important to keep your Mom happy and have her refrigerator decorated with Google metric reports. We all need to strive to fulfill our clients needs, but in the end it’s all about family and community. I have admired your family’s philanthropy from afar, here in Winter Park, Florida. Wishing you profitability, continued philanthropic impact, and the knowledge that your prose pleases more that just your Mom!
Yes! I read this stuff.
Usually on my I-phone.
Funny how making our Mom’s happy still matters…
gk
We blog (sometimes incessantly)for a number of reasons: 1. Vanity (we like to think people [beyond Mom] are reading our Very Important Stuff), 2. Expertise (if we don’t put ourselves out there as ‘experts’ for the media and prospects to find, who will?), and most importantly for purposes of your article), 3. SEO (it’s not just about who’s reading your stuff today; it’s about who’ll be searching for it tomorrow? If you don’t write, Google won’t find you). THAT’s why we write. And, of course, sometimes we just don’t feel like doing paying work right now…
I always read everything you send, usually the minute it arrives. It’s smart and stimulating, and I appreciate that you can string a sentence together in actual English. I virtually never comment, since I’m a wallflower, I guess. The only two other bloggers I follow in the whole world, for very different reasons, are By Ken Levine and Joe.My.God.
I religiously read your blog, Bruce. It does make one wonder, what is the conversion rate of a blog or a tweet? We may have 1 Million facebook fans, but are any of them actually buying? Does anyone have a good answer?
BTW – if I did not have a “clean refrigerator policy” I’d put this blog on mine!
HIYA BRUCE…. YES, I’M READING “ALL THIS STUFF” AND I DO ENJOY IT…. ALMOST AS MUCH AS I ENJOY HAVING YOU PLAY HARP WITH ME WHEN I’M IN MIAMI…!
KEEP IT UP… YOU SHARE AN INTERESTING AND KNOWLEDGEABLE POINT OF VIEW.
WARM REGARDS,
JIM
Reading it? Yes:)
Good points, Bruce. Those who’re buying into the “Content Is King” and “If you build it, they will come…” mindset should temper their expectations by subscribing to the other popular premise on the Internet today… The Long Tail…
Few, if any, can become media empires no matter how good their content is. Even the popular places like Huffington Post owe their original fame to real-life pre-existing fame of the founder, etc.
Lindsay Lohan going to jail and Paris Hilton’s South African arrest (with or without waiting for the video
) will, sadly, always trump, good content in traffic.
Imran
IMRAN.TV
i’m a fan and reading!! but the refrigerator’s full sorry. I honestly, dont read so many blogs — too many and not enough time to read and keep up and do my job.
But love your take on life — so keep it coming. thanks
So, if a tree falls in the forrest and there is no one there to hear it, does it still make a sound?
Like so many other apparent enigmas, this one depends entirely on the definition of the word “sound.” If a sound is a vibration of air that CAN be perceived, the answer is “yes.” If a sound is a vibration of air that IS perceived, the answer is “no.”
It’s a simple matter of defining your terms.
So, what makes Turkel the wizard that he is, is his ability to cause vibrations that are, in fact, perceived. That’s why we love him.
OK, that’s not the only reason.
Hi Bruce, I read your “stuff” but usually don’t reply. Calling out one’s Mom is as you know is one of the oldest tricks in the book… And it still works. Your Mom would be proud.
David Whitaker
I am reading your blog and find it concise, funny and to the point.
As for all that information online, it is mostly being served to keep us all entertained. And just because everyone does it, does not mean it is needed or appreciated!
Thanks for asking Bruce. I’ve been wondering myself who has the time for all of this information bombarding us through social media. I get no less than 300 e-mails at work and approximately 100 at home every day. I’m very good with the “Delete” key and very selective– evidently I read this blog from you- probably because you teased me.
Hey Bruce – proof is in the pudding. Read it and loved it.
I also reads lots of Blogs and use blogs to find information that is not always available on search findings, etc.
But, It is very rare that I post or let anyone know that I have been there.
Have a bloggin’ great day!
Yes I read it and I forward it to my son in
washington. We both say great stuff keep it going
we like the sound it makes.
Hi Bruce,
I read all of your e-mail posts for three reasons:
1. They are brief.
2. They are interesting and relevant.
3. You’re a musician.
Thanks Much,
Larry
Never give up…never give in! Did Socrates ask if anyone was reading? Did Heidegger or Heidi Montag? Keep sharing!
People are successful in social media because they provide relevant, interesting content for an audience who enjoys consuming it.
Why are gossip blogs that consistently break controversial photos of celebrities so popular? Why are blogs about industrial carpet cleaning machines so unpopular?
It’s all about the scarcity of what you’re supplying, the demand for your product, and consistently meeting/exceeding the expectations of your followers.
Dunno if people are reading it all, but Google indexes every word. And that drives people who have never heard of you into something specific you created.
Ditto Marya Meyer #17
I do read your material as time allows and topic provides interest. Unfortunately I can’t read it all and only retain a percentage. That’s reality.
So keep writing, I’ll continue to choose, and hope that my retention improves. Thanks for writing stuff!
Frankly, I read as few blogs and posts as possible – maybe only a few thousand a day. I understand, sadly, that it’s necessary nowadays. It’s sad because we have traded quality for quantity. I miss real journalism and good writing on important issues. Sometimes the empty blah blah blah becomes just too much.
Your blog, on the other hand, is very good. Your title for this entry is downright compelling. That is ultimately what gets my attention, after all.
Yes Bruce, you are being tracked, I mean watched.
Thanks for adding value! Joe, Teh Opportunity Guy
Actually it’s facebook and all my new friends that I ignore .If I answered all the friend requests I would have no time to do all this housework
You write better than any harmonica player I know. Keep it up. DW
You had me at…the headline, followed soon thereafter by the assertion of “ubiquitous barrage of blog posts.”
I am not a fan of blogs yet I’m forced to pay attention even if far too many offer opinion not rooted in facts or bound by any governing tenet/professional credo. If your intent was to provoke thought, then you succeeded. Thanks (I think).
Reading your stuff and loving it! Manny Sarmiento
So glad that making your mom happy is still so important to you. I’m sure she’s quite proud! I don’t twitter, tweet, LinkIn or Facebook, but I do read you – so thanks. Good luck with your next marathon, Ellen
Tell your Mom she can be proud. I do read your blog and I find them entertaining. You’re handsome, you play music and you blog. You’re perfect. Keep up the good work!
I read your blogs all the way through, Bruce. Actually, I look forward to them.
Yes I get you loud and clear in Madrid, Bruce. Keep on writing, please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UFNjJzHuX0
Could this kind of video be helpful in any way?
Always right on point…keep it coming!
Always reading them, with a big smile, too
Love to read what you write. I still remember some of your words spoken at a seminar at UM many years ago. Keep writing.
i only read when i am biking. seriously i do read when i have time. mc
Of course I read this! When I steal ideas for my clients, I insist on imitating only the very best.
I read yours because it’s you! Frankly i haven’t heard of any of these companies….Chip
Great question! I wonder the same thing. There must be some way to filter out what is useful and what is not….
I never read blogs, but this one shows up in my email box every time and I end up reading every single one. I think it’s because of your cute picture in the orange shirt.