You’ve probably already figured out that this is a list of things to blog about. Let’s assume I put some witty intro here explaining to you why you need things to blog about, as if you needed convincing. “Your readers will love it if you blog about things!” etc. Duh.
Let’s just get to it:
Note: What you personally can or will want to blog about is going to depend on your purpose. When I finally started to write out this list, it was for a local mom-n-pop plumbing company, but I think most of it translates in one way or another to any company/person/organization who is looking to use a blog as a foundational element of a web presence. Looking, in one way or another, to tell who they are, what they do, what they love, and what they have to say about it all.
Crap. I slipped into the intro blather mode. Here’s the list:
- testimonials
- before/after pics
- or just before
- or just after
- “how-to” step-by-steps:
- text
- text w/diagrams
- text w/photos
- text w/video
- screencasts
- video
- prevention/maintenance/repair tips
- stories from the field
- struggles and triumphs
- heroic moments
- weird or funny interactions
- unexpected finds
- opinions on:
- business practices and ethics
- industry techniques, trends, laws
- good choices you’ve made (as a family biz, as a small biz, as your particular type of biz, as a local/people biz)
- stories about your parents or other influencers
- reflections on those who have come before you (in business)
- you and your family doing things out and about or at home (w/pics)
- fundraisers and charity events
- volunteering
- attending cultural events, etc.
- going to scenic / historic / etc spots
- Photos with anyone
- customers
- employees
- other businesspeople or county notables
- literally anyone (try to get a name or a tidbit about them)
- anytime you sponsor something or partner with someone
- post in support of (linking to) any (non-controversial) cause that you support
- any other business or place in the area
- any business or place out of the area (recommending it or inquiring about it)
- any changes in the business (hours, policy, personnel, equipment, licensing/accreditations)
- any awards, certifications, honoring of your business or anyone in your business or family
- or any of your friends or friend-businesses
- or any area person or business
- doubts and fears
- about blogging/social media
- about small business ownership
- about policies or things you struggle with as a business
- ask for tips, advice, personal experiences of others
- people who have linked to you or mentioned you
- photo of the week
- quote of the week
- cause (to support) of the week
- song or other art of the week
- cool person of the week
- cool fact of the week
- trips down memory lane / “remember when…?” / nostalgic higlights (just for fun, and/or within your industry)
- press release announcements
- event announcements
- post-event wrap-ups
- monthly (or quarterly) reports from heads of the various programs
- site announcements/changes
- appearances of the company (or its employees, family members, partners, associates) in the media
- “thanks to…” posts
- employee/associate profiles:
- photo / bio, or
- (playful) Q & As (favorites, offbeat questions, etc)
- via text
- via audio
- via video
- (embedded) videos or playlists from Youtube, Vimeo, news sites, etc
- “top 10” lists or other creative spinnings of your trade tips and secrets
- stories from your childhood that led to (or underscore) who you have become or what you believe
- stories of other people you’ve known that underscore who you’ve become or what you believe
- a story from the current day or week that underscores who you’ve become or what you believe
- a post mentioning a comment you’ve posted on another blog
- a post mentioning any blog post or article anywhere
- a post mentioning (and linking to) any comment on any post anywhere
- a post highlighting a tweet you made, or one someone else made, or a twitter conversation (use Storify to document longer web conversations)
- any changes or updates to the site
- announcements of new web outposts (YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc) when they launch (and when something cool or noteworthy is happening there)
- updates/changes at any of the web outposts
- poll/survey-type questions
- (normal) specials, sales, or coupons
- (reader-only) specials, sales, or coupons
- basic calls to action (i.e., donate, call us now, like us on FB)
- (solicited, or just fabricated/presumed) Qs and As
- rants, when appropriate/necessary (and maybe after sleeping on it for a night)
- something funny or cool you stumbled onto on the web
- posts awarding any made-up “award” you want (e.g., Most Dangerous Hairstyle (for a salon), Brilliant Ideas Award, Dumbest [practitioner within your industry, for ex. “Roofer” or “Lawyer”] of the [time period] Award, etc.)
- posts featuring web cartoons that relate to your industry or your type of business or your customer base
- your kids, pets, and other family members (within reason)
More will be added as I come up with them. Feel free to add your own below!