Levi’s; So you think you can “blog”?

It is of no surprise brands and companies are struggling to find alternative and cost-effective ways to sell, survive and possibly stand out in the over-crowded world wide web.

So, given this is the era for blogging – it’s no surprise many brands are fast jumping into this space. It just seems to be there is little consideration to ‘how to do it properly?’ Instead of looking the fool. It all started with Darwinism…The second model relies largely on social media (because this is what you want, “socialize”, right?) now brands are beginning to open blogs to reach to the Chinese consumers.

I’d love to quote a phrase in article the 7 deadly sins of blogging, featuring on an excellent blog Copywriter.

“You know that guy at the party who just refuses to shut up? The one who lectures you for 45 minutes about his Warcraft collectible figurines, without ever noticing that you’re desperately wishing you had a cyanide pill so you could quietly end it all? Don’t be that guy.”

Since brands are stepping in the blogosphere, they might want to apply the same principles :

1. Give before asking or taking. Don’t be selfish

2. Provide valuable content.

3. Engage in a dialogue, talk about them and not about you

4. Don’t be boring

CASE IN POINT:

Let’s take a look at one particular brand who made the move to blog – though it appears non of the above mentioned principles applied. Introducing… Levi’s

You can take a look for yourself. Following a quick inspection I can’t help but think :

- What’s in it for me?

- Content helps me because???

- 4 articles talking about Levis : Brand story, Levi strauss and the 501 product story (+ 1 article “hello world” which is actually the default wordpress article whenever you open a blog…(sigh)

Seems like we have a Levis blog talking about Levis product…how interesting….

No offense but just because setting up a wordpress blog is easy does not mean you have to do it if you don’t know how to have a strategy and :

1. Build content : Give something, aka valuable and entertaining content

2. Build context : the content based on your universe. Levis could bring for example news like hipsters trends or whatever close to the brand

3. Engage in a dialogue by providing a mix of brand stories/news/original content

4. Go online when you are ready…and update.

The good thing is that as it seems it’s just getting started, Levis blog (and many others) can still change their strategy before investing too much time and energy into something that will make them ask the question “Does blogging work for all brands.”

1 cookie point for blogging, but for the rest, go back to your room and finish your homework.

I have added here two articles that may offer some advice also.

Corporate Blog : Why and How to Start One

Why Content is no longer King

*This article was provided by buzzandthecity feature writer.

Related articles from around the web.

• The power of social media to prevent change (broadcasting-brain.com)
• Cartoon: It’s a Big Ol’ Blogosphere (readwriteweb.com)
• Blogging is essential for any business (wsioms.co.za)
• The DTs of Blogging (darcknyt.wordpress.com)
• Make Me A Viral: Viral Video & YouTube (slideshare.net)

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