So, you have something to say

Yesterday, minding my own business, having yet another cup of chicken soup to fight my cold in a Panera. Two businessmen, of what was obviously the small business variety, were talking about their business, their website, and of course, the conversation turned to social media, and if they were going to "do it."

"all that social media stuff is only good for business if you've got something to say"

Amen.Hallelujah, and thank goodness. My dad always said common sense wasn't that common, but here it was. On a Wednesday. at Panera.

I remember the days when people proclaimed "Content is King." It was true then, and it's true today. Content can make or break your google ranking, can alienate your clients or win over prospects. Content can build or break relationships. But content isn't a mass. It isn't just data. And it's like shoes. You can have a lot, but if they hurt, don't fit, or just aren't you, they're just taking space up in the closet and making it hard to find the ones you really need.


I read 6 questions today on a blog that I think help get it right. Not QUITE but the peeps are pimping for a seminar, so maybe they'll give the secrets out there. 

1. What do we know?
   
   
2. What can we give? (techmistress hint: think knowledge, not crap)
   
   
3. What can we explain?
   
   
4. What can we share?
   
   
5. Who can we interview?
   
   
6. What can we have fun with?
   
   

Content is a KEY component of each and every fiber of ANY marketing plan. And it all has to work together. Whatever I say, wherever I say it, it has to work together. It's less about content and more about relationship building.

Take all these logistical suggestions, which is really what they are, and apply your brand attributes to them. If you aren't a little quirky, don't share the quirky fun stuff.

I'm not suggesting you CONTROL things (read previous post), but I am saying know your brand, speak from your persona, reinforce the messages you want to share, wherever and whenever you go.

Have something to say. Say it smartly, say it simply. It's ok to regurgitate content from others, and share, but give them credit, and add your own personality or experience. Add value. Tell your client or prospect something they may want to hear- NOT just what you want them to hear.

So, thank you, Panera businessmen for your wise words of wisdom. You have to have something to say.


But don't overthink it. We really do all have something to say. And every business has something to say their customers need and WANT to hear. If they didn't, they wouldn't have customers!