BRANDS and BLOGS

You all must have read the product/brand and service feedbacks here and there. Very recently I have noticed that earlier while Google used to take us to sites like mouth-shut, now it takes us to personal blogs where people very honestly talk about the brand, their experience, benefits and even comparisons to the competitive brands.

While we face an influx of digital information with brands/products/services emerging everyday on facebook ads, yahoo ads, engaging contents with sweepstakes – the most evolving one is undoubtedly blogs – they provide some sort of consumer insight, talk about real time experience.

Blogs are currently running the Op-eds scenario quite successfully, Op-eds abbreviated as - Opposite the editorial page is the latest emerging trend popular amongst the leading newspapers as well. Wikipedia defines an Op-ed as, a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board. These are different from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written by editorial board members. One more reason why op-eds are becoming popular is because it is easier to understand opinions than a normal editorial piece. If you compare both of them you would understand that an op-ed is interesting read as compared to editor’s column.

Blogs are certainly the straight, to the mark, honest, colorful opinions which normally have a simple language.  They are easy to access, most easily shared (just on a click) and once they develop a readership – they become the advocates for brands. No wonder, that is the reason more and more brands are now having their own brands and others are inviting consumers, bloggers to have their say. Blogging is becoming – the thing for most of the informed consumers like us. We check out, compare and reach out brands – online. That makes Blogging all the more important.

Because of all the reasons above, the Brands are now hunting for bloggers. The basic trait of a blog is genuineness and pure feedback but with growing demand for blogosphere and growing jobs like Fashion Blogger, Cookery Blogger etc – I am afraid people will start taking blogs as another paid assignment for someone. People trust the blogs as they are not the paid ones like the several product/ service feedback sites.

So before we hook to a blog for some brand feedback, we need to understand that:

1. A blogger is neither a journalist nor a critic. H/She is one like us and the shared views are individualistic.
2. A blog doesn't necessarily have to be research backed. Rather a blog is insight based and quotes true facts.
3. Do not mistake blogs as conclusions, they are opinions value them. They ignite thoughts, seek participation. Engage, discuss and then decide.
4. Treat blogs as the assessments, take the feedbacks, understand the opinions and take them as building blocks for your brand.
5. Brands are sensitive about their image, so whenever you write/read about a brand – cross check it, refer to other available feedbacks, talk to people, cross check the disclosures etc.

Remember, blogging is turning to be the digital form of ‘word of mouth’ marketing. Believing or experiencing is a decision that will always be with you.