Blogging as Company Narrative
A couple days ago, Alan Jones wrote a good piece about company narratives - how startups can define who they are by telling good stories about the timeline and character of the company. I agree with Alan too - the company narrative is a crucial part of startup writing. But I’d like to add something to the post.
I gather Alan is just talking about company narrative in the ‘About Us’ section. But I think sometimes, it develops best in your blog. Sure, you should probably have a story somewhere on the frontpage (it’s likely the first thing people will look at), but your blog is the place to really bring it to life. Post funny pictures as you take them; post funny stories as they happen; post why you’re doing what you’re doing as you figure it out; and post retrospectives as you go. Pretty soon, you’ll have accumulated a depthful and dynamic company narrative. One that people can consume all at once by cruising your archives, or even better, one that regular readers develop as you and your story evolve.
That’s the type of company narrative that not only communicates who you are, but engages customers day after day, and brings them back for more again and again. That’s a good narrative, and that’s a good blog.
Now… is your blog telling a story?
6 comments
Yes, that’s absolutely correct Brian, good point: if there isn’t a good company narrative to follow in your blog, then it isn’t going to be a successful company blog. I was writing about startup websites rather than blogs, but it’s a valid point.
So, I guess you and I should take some time out to let our readers know what’s really happening inside our own businesses then?
@alan: “So, I guess you and I should take some time out to let our readers know what’s really happening inside our own businesses then?”
Wait… hold on. We actually have to do what we say here? Doesn’t it go that ‘those who can’t do… blog’?
@alan: “I was writing about startup websites rather than blogs, but it’s a valid point.”
I hope it was clear that I was adding to your thought, and not saying that you were missing something (because it was off-topic). The last thing I’d want to do is tangle with a heavyweight like you!
-Brian
[…] had a good time writing Blogging as Company Narrative the other day… figured I’d write a couple more on blogging over the next week or so. So […]
[…] couple days ago, I took inspiration from another blogger to write Blogging as Company Narrative, a post about using your blog to tell (and build) your company story. Well, it looks like I’m […]
[…] is that a well-done blog shouldn’t only entertain, and shouldn’t only help build your company narrative, it should build a community of its’ own. It should be a place for people to not only go and […]
Leave a Comment