Comments on: Only 16% of Consumers Trust Your Corporate Blog; Time to Delete or Re-Think it? http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html Internet Marketing News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-64243 Brian Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:41:28 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-64243 Ahm, so 84% of people trust my corporate blog, right? That seems pretty damn good. If you told someone that 84% of people on the internet believe everything you say, I think they'd take that. Ahm, so 84% of people trust my corporate blog, right? That seems pretty damn good. If you told someone that 84% of people on the internet believe everything you say, I think they’d take that.

]]> By: AIDS Drugs http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-64035 AIDS Drugs Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:47:01 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-64035 There are obvious reasons to not trust a corporate blog, also I dont understand mixing the formal with the informal. There are obvious reasons to not trust a corporate blog, also I dont understand mixing the formal with the informal.

]]> By: Michael http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-63338 Michael Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:34:37 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-63338 I think the consumer is overloaded with information and thus don't trust most blogs I think the consumer is overloaded with information and thus don’t trust most blogs

]]> By: Utah SEO Pro http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-63070 Utah SEO Pro Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:49:11 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-63070 Not surprising. The real key is to have corporate evangelists. <em>Utah SEO Pro's last blog post..<a href='http://www.jordankasteler.com/utah-seo-pro-blog/seo-and-usability/' rel="nofollow">SEO and Usability - SES Chicago 2008 Presentation</a></em> Not surprising. The real key is to have corporate evangelists.

Utah SEO Pro’s last blog post..SEO and Usability – SES Chicago 2008 Presentation

]]> By: JT http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62875 JT Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:48:12 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62875 Of course, people tend to trust the emails from people they know. This is why social marketing is very important these days. <em>JT's last blog post..<a href='http://www.adwords-secret.net/?p=35' rel="nofollow">Zen and PPC campaigns</a></em> Of course, people tend to trust the emails from people they know. This is why social marketing is very important these days.

JT’s last blog post..Zen and PPC campaigns

]]> By: Saad Kamal http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62863 Saad Kamal Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:51:57 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62863 I think blogging about customer's problem is a good way to show that you 'care'. And subsequently if you can also update it with the action/solution then its can help to build up trust... <em>Saad Kamal's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/saadkamal/~3/481241188/' rel="nofollow">Google Toolbar PageRank Update Coming Soon</a></em> I think blogging about customer’s problem is a good way to show that you ‘care’. And subsequently if you can also update it with the action/solution then its can help to build up trust…

Saad Kamal’s last blog post..Google Toolbar PageRank Update Coming Soon

]]> By: Branching Out: The Maples DMG Blog » Blog Archive » The “Me” Generation 2.0 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62844 Branching Out: The Maples DMG Blog » Blog Archive » The “Me” Generation 2.0 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:13:01 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62844 [...] new Forrester Research study by Groundswell author Josh Bernoff he says only 16 percent of those polled expressed trust in corporate [...] [...] new Forrester Research study by Groundswell author Josh Bernoff he says only 16 percent of those polled expressed trust in corporate [...]

]]> By: Seth the cranky SEO http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62822 Seth the cranky SEO Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:19:40 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62822 I agree with a lot of what is being said here. Here's my takeaway list: 1) blogs need to be useful 2) blogs should be entertaining 3) blogs should not be solely an extension of corporate PR rah-rah. 4) transparency is rewarded with even more loyal consumers 5) your customers can smell b.s. -- even in print -- from miles away. 6) encourage conversations with your customers - this adds value to your brand, builds trusts and turns customers into evangelists. GetSatisfaction does a great job with this (yes I know it's not a blog). I agree with a lot of what is being said here. Here’s my takeaway list:
1) blogs need to be useful
2) blogs should be entertaining
3) blogs should not be solely an extension of corporate PR rah-rah.
4) transparency is rewarded with even more loyal consumers
5) your customers can smell b.s. — even in print — from miles away.
6) encourage conversations with your customers – this adds value to your brand, builds trusts and turns customers into evangelists. GetSatisfaction does a great job with this (yes I know it’s not a blog).

]]> By: Brandon Cox http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62815 Brandon Cox Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:13:07 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62815 I'm agreeing with the trend I see in the comments - consumers want to be included, not just preached to. If you want a megaphone, don't call it a blog. <em>Brandon Cox's last blog post..<a href='http://www.egracecreative.com/2008/12/09/egrace-creative-gets-a-big-mention/' rel="nofollow">eGrace Creative Gets A Big Mention</a></em> I’m agreeing with the trend I see in the comments – consumers want to be included, not just preached to. If you want a megaphone, don’t call it a blog.

Brandon Cox’s last blog post..eGrace Creative Gets A Big Mention

]]> By: SmartBlogs On SocialMedia » Blog Archive » In blogs we trust, sort of http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62810 SmartBlogs On SocialMedia » Blog Archive » In blogs we trust, sort of Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:35:13 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62810 [...] Here’s a chart on the survey from the generally trustworthy Forrester corporate blog. More on the survey from BusinessWeek, WebProNews, AttentionMax and MarketingPilgrim. [...] [...] Here’s a chart on the survey from the generally trustworthy Forrester corporate blog. More on the survey from BusinessWeek, WebProNews, AttentionMax and MarketingPilgrim. [...]

]]> By: Ed Kohler http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62801 Ed Kohler Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:28:09 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62801 Maybe it's not written for consumers, but the press or investors? If so, who cares what consumers think about something that's not meant for them and they largely ignore anyway? <em>Ed Kohler's last blog post..<a href='http://www.thedeets.com/2008/12/10/signs-of-love-broken-windows-edition/' rel="nofollow">Signs of Love: Broken Windows Edition</a></em> Maybe it’s not written for consumers, but the press or investors? If so, who cares what consumers think about something that’s not meant for them and they largely ignore anyway?

Ed Kohler’s last blog post..Signs of Love: Broken Windows Edition

]]> By: Jaan Kanellis http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62792 Jaan Kanellis Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:52:38 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62792 Yellow pages and print newspaper in the top 5 still? Whats the age group of this sample? <em>Jaan Kanellis's last blog post..<a href='http://www.jaankanellis.com/2008-yearend-google-zeitgeist-released-sarah-palin-rules/' rel="nofollow">2008 Year-End Google Zeitgeist Released, Sarah Palin Rules</a></em> Yellow pages and print newspaper in the top 5 still? Whats the age group of this sample?

Jaan Kanellis’s last blog post..2008 Year-End Google Zeitgeist Released, Sarah Palin Rules

]]> By: How To Gain Trust And Influence People http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62786 How To Gain Trust And Influence People Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:09:02 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62786 [...] You’ve probably already read about the recent Forrester report that lists blogs absolutely last on the totem pole as an information source people trust. Yes, a [...] [...] You’ve probably already read about the recent Forrester report that lists blogs absolutely last on the totem pole as an information source people trust. Yes, a [...]

]]> By: Andy Beal http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62780 Andy Beal Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:28:30 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62780 @Lance - it can be hard to make that switch from "I" to "you." It finally happened with me after writing Radically Transparent--370 pages of writing will ingrain anything. ;-) @Lance – it can be hard to make that switch from “I” to “you.” It finally happened with me after writing Radically Transparent–370 pages of writing will ingrain anything. ;-)

]]> By: Are You A Two Pump Chump? | Internet Marketing Blog http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62779 Are You A Two Pump Chump? | Internet Marketing Blog Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:22:39 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62779 [...] reading.  I honestly did not want to post about this today, but after reading a post talking about only 16% of consumers trusting corporate blogs it got me thinking, and it got me a little [...] [...] reading.  I honestly did not want to post about this today, but after reading a post talking about only 16% of consumers trusting corporate blogs it got me thinking, and it got me a little [...]

]]> By: Lance Jepsen author of Internet Marketing http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62777 Lance Jepsen author of Internet Marketing Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:13:59 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62777 Great article and comments. The essence of the problem that corporations have with their blogs is that they try and appeal to everyone. They lack a personal feel. As Fairfax Cone said, "There is no such thing as a Mass Mind. The Mass Audience is made up of individuals, and good advertising is written always from one person to another. When it is aimed at millions it rarely moves anyone." The entire blogosphere is sales copy. There are hard sales posts, soft sales posts, social proof posts, product review posts, and sticky posts. Personal sales copy (blogging) works the best. Strive to make your sales copy be as personal as possible. It should sound as if you are sitting on a couch talking with your best friend. Avoid the use of words like "I", "we" or "us". Replace these words with "you". Use contractions, like doesn’t and can’t, to sound more personal. People want to buy from people, not big nameless corporations. When I first began designing web sites for clients, my goal was to make the web site look as big as possible. I would use words like “we”, and “us” quite often. I found that when I made the sales copy seem like it came from a friend and replaced “we” and “us” with “you”, the sales copy performed better. If you are a fan of the television show The Apprentice, you might recall the celebrity season where Gene Simmons wrote the following headline for Kodak, “It’s a Kodak World.” Gene Simmons lost the competition and was fired by Donald Trump as well he should have. A common mistake newbies make when it comes to writing headlines and sales copy is to try and seem bigger to prospects. Bigger is not always better and this is especially true when it comes to writing sales copy. Gene Simmons would have done a much better job for Kodak had he used something more personal like, “My Kodak”. Imagine if MySpace was instead named WorldSpace, UniverseSpace, or InfinitySpace. Imagine if YouTube was instead named WorldTube, UniverseTube, or InfinityTube. It is doubtful that either of these businesses would have ever grown to the size they are today. Great article and comments. The essence of the problem that corporations have with their blogs is that they try and appeal to everyone. They lack a personal feel. As Fairfax Cone said, “There is no such thing as a Mass Mind. The Mass Audience is made up of individuals, and good advertising is written always from one person to another. When it is aimed at millions it rarely moves anyone.”

The entire blogosphere is sales copy. There are hard sales posts, soft sales posts, social proof posts, product review posts, and sticky posts. Personal sales copy (blogging) works the best. Strive to make your sales copy be as personal as possible. It should sound as if you are sitting on a couch talking with your best friend. Avoid the use of words like “I”, “we” or “us”. Replace these words with “you”. Use contractions, like doesn’t and can’t, to sound more personal.

People want to buy from people, not big nameless corporations. When I first began designing web sites for clients, my goal was to make the web site look as big as possible. I would use words like “we”, and “us” quite often. I found that when I made the sales copy seem like it came from a friend and replaced “we” and “us” with “you”, the sales copy performed better.

If you are a fan of the television show The Apprentice, you might recall the celebrity season where Gene Simmons wrote the following headline for Kodak, “It’s a Kodak World.”

Gene Simmons lost the competition and was fired by Donald Trump as well he should have. A common mistake newbies make when it comes to writing headlines and sales copy is to try and seem bigger to prospects. Bigger is not always better and this is especially true when it comes to writing sales copy. Gene Simmons would have done a much better job for Kodak had he used something more personal like, “My Kodak”.

Imagine if MySpace was instead named WorldSpace, UniverseSpace, or InfinitySpace. Imagine if YouTube was instead named WorldTube, UniverseTube, or InfinityTube. It is doubtful that either of these businesses would have ever grown to the size they are today.

]]> By: Blog Expert http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62755 Blog Expert Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:17:21 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62755 This really seems to be the news of the day. I have read this on about four blogs already. The thing is, most corporate blogs do suck. They suck so bad that the blog actually hurts them more than helps them. <em>Blog Expert's last blog post..<a href='http://franklinbishop.net/digg-headlines-that-work/' rel="nofollow">Digg Headlines That Work</a></em> This really seems to be the news of the day. I have read this on about four blogs already. The thing is, most corporate blogs do suck. They suck so bad that the blog actually hurts them more than helps them.

Blog Expert’s last blog post..Digg Headlines That Work

]]> By: Andy Beal http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62752 Andy Beal Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:11:51 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62752 @Stuart - you nailed it! Customers want a dialog not a monologue. @Stuart – you nailed it! Customers want a dialog not a monologue.

]]> By: Josh Garner http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62751 Josh Garner Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:11:50 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62751 Yeah, I'm of the "time to re-think it" feeling. There are simply too many success stories from bloggers, both corporate and independent to ignore it. I'm with Stuart. Perhaps if they took it seriously and for what it is, the perception would work itself out. I really hate the "I tried to blog for a month with 2 posts. and they were sales pitches or newsletters. I guess this blog stuff doesn't work." Companies need to realize that there is only so much that they can make "theirs." Social media is owned by the community at large not them. Stop trying to turn it into something else, and play the game correctly. Only then can it work for you. I'm especially cranky about this right now because I literally just got out of a meeting on this exact topic. I may as well be preaching to a tree. :) <em>Josh Garner's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SeoFactor/~3/479628211/' rel="nofollow">Check Your Tweets For Workplace Safety</a></em> Yeah, I’m of the “time to re-think it” feeling. There are simply too many success stories from bloggers, both corporate and independent to ignore it. I’m with Stuart. Perhaps if they took it seriously and for what it is, the perception would work itself out.

I really hate the “I tried to blog for a month with 2 posts. and they were sales pitches or newsletters. I guess this blog stuff doesn’t work.”

Companies need to realize that there is only so much that they can make “theirs.” Social media is owned by the community at large not them. Stop trying to turn it into something else, and play the game correctly. Only then can it work for you.

I’m especially cranky about this right now because I literally just got out of a meeting on this exact topic. I may as well be preaching to a tree. :)

Josh Garner’s last blog post..Check Your Tweets For Workplace Safety

]]> By: Matt Siltala http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html/comment-page-1#comment-62750 Matt Siltala Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:11:30 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2008/12/only-16-of-consumers-trust-your-corporate-blog-time-to-delete-or-re-think-it.html#comment-62750 I agree with @TheMadHat and was going to voice the same opinion. For some of my sites, I have many people tell me that they went ahead and made the purchase because of some information they found on the blog. I think if you are providing useful information and adding to their searching experience, it will always be beneficial for them. I guess my point here is - the number of people that have told me they purchased because of information on my blog is enough for me to keep on working it! <em>Matt Siltala's last blog post..<a href='http://www.dreamsystemsmedia.com/blog/index.php/we-are-already-getting-calls-because-of-your-local-advertising-post/' rel="nofollow">We Are Already Getting Calls Because Of Your Local Advertising Post</a></em> I agree with @TheMadHat and was going to voice the same opinion. For some of my sites, I have many people tell me that they went ahead and made the purchase because of some information they found on the blog. I think if you are providing useful information and adding to their searching experience, it will always be beneficial for them. I guess my point here is – the number of people that have told me they purchased because of information on my blog is enough for me to keep on working it!

Matt Siltala’s last blog post..We Are Already Getting Calls Because Of Your Local Advertising Post

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