If Business Blogs Were People: 6 Types of Business Blogs

With today’s emphasis on social networking and media, it seems like every business in America has a blog. And that’s a good thing, blogs help businesses connect with their customers as well as create a lasting brand image. But having read a great many of these business blogs, I’ve ran into a couple of archetypes that a majority of blogs fall into. So without further ado I give you “If Business Blogs Were People: 5 Types of Business Blogs”.

The Celebrity

Everyone knows this business and its blog, because they’re famous. Usually a well known company, at least in their niche, they use their blog to further the branding efforts they’ve already put forth. This blog always has a lot of readers, and other bloggers are constantly referencing it to the point that people take a look just to see what the big deal is. You’ll notice that the celebrity business blog always has posts that are “cool”, which result in a deluge of commenters trying to get in on the action (and get coolness by association). Every single business blog wants to be a Celebrity, but most will settle for using the Celebrity’s products and commenting on their blog.

The Snob

The Snob business blogs are the one’s who think they’re a celebrity. They try to post things they think are “cool” just like the celebrity business blogs, but it just doesn’t have the same cool vibe. When people ask the snob what they’re trying to accomplish with their blog, without fail they say they are trying to “Establish thought leadership in their industry”. Sometimes this comes off with the intended results, but other times it makes it seem that this business blog knows more than anyone else. And no one likes a know-it-all!

The Show Off

This type of business blog is always taking about the last trade show they went too, and which one they’re going to next. Often included with these posts are impressive pictures of their large booth, with smiling executives’ front and center. When they aren’t talking about what shows they’re going to, they let you know exactly what is going on with their company at any given moment. And for some reason, they always announce new hires on their blog!

The Salesman

This is the kind of business blog you can spot from a mile away. That’s because the Salesman business blog is always trying to sell you their product. Without fail. This type of business blog relentlessly posts about new case studies, new user acquisitions, and new product features. They always let you know that they have a new product available that can solve your problem (even the ones you didn’t know you had).

The Loner

The Loner business blog is also an easy one to spot, as there are very infrequent posts. In fact, their might not have been any posts for months! These types of business blogs are attached to companies who weren’t sure if they should have a blog, but since everyone else was starting one they thought they should too. But without a solid content strategy or the resolve to post consistently, it has been neglected to the point of oblivion.

The Average Joe

At last, we arrive at the category that most business blogs fit into. Blogs that are an Average Joe usually have a bit of all the other types in them, but they aren’t quite any of them. They occasionally are like a Celebrity, with some posts being wildly successful with lots of visitors coming to take a look. Once in a blue moon they’re a Snob, trying to “Establish though leadership”. They display their Show Off tendencies when they talk about the next trade show they’re going to. Whenever they have something new and interesting with their product, they let you know just like a Salesman. And finally, once in a while they have to re-build their resolve to continue blogging after a dry patch that signifies a Loner. Just like most people out there are Average Joe’s, most business blogs are Average Joe’s too. And there’s nothing wrong with being an Average Joe, in fact I’d take that over most of the other types!

So what kind of business blog are you? Do you think I missed a type? Let me know – post a comment!

Tagged as: Blogging