Part 4: Rules 23, 25, 28 and 30

I’m continuing my series commenting on some of the rules Chris Brogan described in his 40 Ways to Deliver Killer Blog Content post. You can see the earlier parts of myseries by clicking 1, 2 and 3.

Rule 23: Ask questions. Blogs are conversations starting and flowing.
I feel like this has been a theme for me this week in my comments on other blogs. Blogs and Twitter and all social media efforts are two-way streets. Questions are key to keeping the dialogue alive. My question today is how to get people to answer your questions? How do you compel people to actually leave a comment? Is it just the questions you ask or is there something else you can do?

Rule 25: Get out and comment on other people’s blogs.
My rule 25.5 is to spend as much time on your stuff as you do on others. So if I spend 10 minutes writing this post today, I need to spend 10 additional minutes commenting on other people’s blogs. If I keep that a 1:1 ratio, I think I’m in good shape to make this blog work.

Rule 28: Make sure your blog’s URL is everywhere.
This one is a little harder because of company restrictions. Technically, my company has a standard e-mail signature that everyone is supposed to follow. However, because I’m trying to be out there promoting myself — and therefore my company — I have added my blog, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts to my e-mail signature. The key that company’s need to understand is that it is okay for their employees to have a social profile. My work here and on all my other social avenues could help my company. That is my goal. I’m not looking for a new job. I want to cement my current job by creating a profile that positions me in my industry.

Rule 30: Always know why you’re doing what you’re doing.
With any PR or advertising campaign it is important to remember your goals. Who are you trying to reach? Why do you want to reach them? What benefit can you bring? It is the same with this blog. Who am I trying to reach — fellow professionals in this industry and potential business partners. Why do I want to reach them — to create a network for my future and to grow as a PR / marketing professional. What benefit can I bring — my experience and outlook provide a fresh and real perspective on this industry and how it is changing.