I read an article recently about journalism and the fact it has an originality problem not a plagiarism problem. Author Kelly McBride says, “These days, we must see always what others have written before we begin – and there’s so much that’s been written about any given topic because writing now is mostly the continuation of a conversation already in play.”

Those who are truly original start the conversation, but are their conversations are left, or is there a way to utliise what has gone before and make it your own?

Creating a blog can be difficult, but building a strong social media following for your blog is even more challenging. Here are some tips. 

What comes first the blog or the social media following? This is dependent on the individual. For example, some individuals already have a strong online presence through their social media accounts. They might already have a large following on their Instagram posting about lifestyle, and want to take it that next step further. They then create a blog geared towards lifestyle, so they are able to write more in depth posts.

This week, we did something we never do. We stopped. 

If you ever ask a former employee about what it is like to work for Marketing Eye, they always say that there is never a moment to spare. There is always something to do. 

The nature of our business is marketing. As such, we deliver marketing strategy and campaigns for the clients we work with. If we are not executing marketing strategies, we are increasing followers for clients on social media, researching their competitors, educating ourselves on the latest marketing techniques and in general spending time surfing the internet.

When I play guitar player, I am the first to admit an average sound comes out. Sometimes I think I should have played the piano. I have an ear for piano, I can pick up any melody and gently press the keys until music miraculously fills the air. With the guitar on the other hand, I can play with sheet music in front of me. I can learn to play songs, but I can’t play by ear.

I guess that is something to do with the way my brain is wired. I am not the front man, rock star I thought I could be when I first had guitar lessons. I’m more the guy who sits behind the piano, fully integrated into the sounds being made and lost in the full force of the music.

Bill Hambrecht, chairman of WR Hambrecht & Co once said, “You don’t want any buyer to feel like he’s been foolish or cheated. So they all get the same price.”

This quote came across my desk recently and it resonated with me, more so than any number of great quotes I have read in my time putting motivational and business magazines together.