Comments on: The most powerful technique? Whatever fits the context. http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context Cornelius Puschmann on computer-mediated discourse, linguistics, open access and other things that interest him. Now discontinued - see blog.ynada.com Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:34:17 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Cornelius http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-2374 Cornelius Tue, 03 Oct 2006 18:44:04 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-2374 Personally, I have a tendency not to think too much about whether a particular post is too long. Among other things this is because I don't just write for my readers, but also for myself. I use my blog as a mnemonic tool quite a lot - if I've blogged it that means I can retrieve it later. People are actually less put off by long post than conventional wisdom suggests. Personally, I have a tendency not to think too much about whether a particular post is too long. Among other things this is because I don’t just write for my readers, but also for myself. I use my blog as a mnemonic tool quite a lot – if I’ve blogged it that means I can retrieve it later. People are actually less put off by long post than conventional wisdom suggests.

]]> By: Tom Vander Well http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-2280 Tom Vander Well Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:52:05 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-2280 I agree that storytelling works based on the context. What I find interesting is that I often try to keep my posts short so as not to lose readers, and I occasionally get the request to expound on a certain point or topic. I would prefer to have readers asking for more than clicking out before they're through. I agree that storytelling works based on the context. What I find interesting is that I often try to keep my posts short so as not to lose readers, and I occasionally get the request to expound on a certain point or topic. I would prefer to have readers asking for more than clicking out before they’re through.

]]> By: Cornelius http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-1716 Cornelius Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:54:17 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-1716 "Sometime’s it’s more powerful to tell a story only some people will get, as opposed to a mass market approach. Corporate bloggers will have a hard time with that one, but they need to figure it out." Very true. Interesting, I hadn't really looked at it from that angle. "Regardless, you’ve got yourself a new reader." Glad to hear it, so have you. :-) “Sometime’s it’s more powerful to tell a story only some people will get, as opposed to a mass market approach. Corporate bloggers will have a hard time with that one, but they need to figure it out.”

Very true. Interesting, I hadn’t really looked at it from that angle.

“Regardless, you’ve got yourself a new reader.”

Glad to hear it, so have you. :-)

]]> By: Brian Clark http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-1714 Brian Clark Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:41:22 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-1714 >>I don’t think their lack of appreciation for stories has anything to do with ignorance or stupidity. You're absolutely right. In fact, I guess I was speaking to Bubba in the follow-up post when I said this: "To the extent some people didn’t get it, it’s my fault. Or more appropriately, it’s because I didn’t tell a story that would connect with everyone." Meaning, 1. It's the storyteller's responsibility for clarity and appropriateness, and yet... 2. Sometime's it's more powerful to tell a story only some people will get, as opposed to a mass market approach. Corporate bloggers will have a hard time with that one, but they need to figure it out. Regardless, you've got yourself a new reader. :) >>I don’t think their lack of appreciation for stories has anything to do with ignorance or stupidity.

You’re absolutely right. In fact, I guess I was speaking to Bubba in the follow-up post when I said this:

“To the extent some people didn’t get it, it’s my fault. Or more appropriately, it’s because I didn’t tell a story that would connect with everyone.”

Meaning,

1. It’s the storyteller’s responsibility for clarity and appropriateness, and yet…
2. Sometime’s it’s more powerful to tell a story only some people will get, as opposed to a mass market approach.

Corporate bloggers will have a hard time with that one, but they need to figure it out.

Regardless, you’ve got yourself a new reader. :)

]]> By: Cornelius http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-1688 Cornelius Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:54:36 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-1688 Firstly, thanks for stopping by Brian! Let me respond to your comments one by one. "My story in that post was intentionally vague to make a point. I use context-specific stories in blog posts and sales copy all the time, and I stand by the assertion that they are the most effective method there is." You know infinitely more about copywriting than me, and I am absolutely not disputing that "storyblogging" is an extremely effective method. I can think of a number of great instances of blog-narratives, such as Rose Levy Beranbaum's 'Real Baking with Rose' (http://www.realbakingwithrose.com/) where the author often relates events from her personal life and connects them to certain recipes (this is an excellent example: http://www.realbakingwithrose.com/2006/08/a_recipe_for_peace.html). I also agree with your observation that "[f]rom a blogging standpoint, [...] the post was a success". A discussion is nothing without some kind of dispute - if we all agree with each other there's not a whole lot to debate. My point is that overall, corporate blogs (can) serve a number of different purposes (PR, recruiting, expert discussions on tech stuff, executive strategies etc) and that telling a story works in certain contexts while it's less suitable in others. "And I find it interesting that you cite the comment made by a guy named “Bubba” and ignore the one made by Seth Godin." I didn't cite Bubba to prove that your story was bad, nor do I even think that it was. I cited him because I found his reaction interesting. I'm aware of Seth Godin's authority in marketing and I'm an avid reader of his blog, but Bubba's "not getting" the story was more relevant to me in this context than the fully deserved praise you received from Seth. Why? Because a) there are lots of Bubbas out there and b) I don't think their lack of appreciation for stories has anything to do with ignorance or stupidity. "Maybe you’ve got a story to tell as well, eh? :)" Don't we all? :-) Thanks again, I very much appreciate your feedback! Firstly, thanks for stopping by Brian! Let me respond to your comments one by one.

“My story in that post was intentionally vague to make a point. I use context-specific stories in blog posts and sales copy all the time, and I stand by the assertion that they are the most effective method there is.”

You know infinitely more about copywriting than me, and I am absolutely not disputing that “storyblogging” is an extremely effective method. I can think of a number of great instances of blog-narratives, such as Rose Levy Beranbaum’s ‘Real Baking with Rose’ (http://www.realbakingwithrose.com/) where the author often relates events from her personal life and connects them to certain recipes (this is an excellent example: http://www.realbakingwithrose.com/2006/08/a_recipe_for_peace.html). I also agree with your observation that “[f]rom a blogging standpoint, [...] the post was a success”. A discussion is nothing without some kind of dispute – if we all agree with each other there’s not a whole lot to debate.

My point is that overall, corporate blogs (can) serve a number of different purposes (PR, recruiting, expert discussions on tech stuff, executive strategies etc) and that telling a story works in certain contexts while it’s less suitable in others.

“And I find it interesting that you cite the comment made by a guy named “Bubba” and ignore the one made by Seth Godin.”

I didn’t cite Bubba to prove that your story was bad, nor do I even think that it was. I cited him because I found his reaction interesting. I’m aware of Seth Godin’s authority in marketing and I’m an avid reader of his blog, but Bubba’s “not getting” the story was more relevant to me in this context than the fully deserved praise you received from Seth. Why? Because a) there are lots of Bubbas out there and b) I don’t think their lack of appreciation for stories has anything to do with ignorance or stupidity.

“Maybe you’ve got a story to tell as well, eh? :) ”

Don’t we all? :-)

Thanks again, I very much appreciate your feedback!

]]> By: Brian Clark http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-1601 Brian Clark Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:59:54 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-1601 And I find it interesting that you cite the comment made by a guy named "Bubba" and ignore the one made by Seth Godin. Maybe you've got a story to tell as well, eh? :) And I find it interesting that you cite the comment made by a guy named “Bubba” and ignore the one made by Seth Godin.

Maybe you’ve got a story to tell as well, eh? :)

]]> By: Brian Clark http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context/comment-page-1#comment-1600 Brian Clark Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:58:40 +0000 http://corpblawg.ynada.com/2006/09/27/the-most-powerful-technique-whatever-fits-the-context#comment-1600 >>This doesn’t mean that telling a story is a bad technique, but simply that the context should make the story plausible. That's exactly right. My story in that post was intentionally vague to make a point. I use context-specific stories in blog posts and sales copy all the time, and I stand by the assertion that they are the most effective method there is. Hopefully you read the follow-up post to the one you cite... that post alone doesn't make a lot of sense without it. :) >>This doesn’t mean that telling a story is a bad technique, but simply that the context should make the story plausible.

That’s exactly right. My story in that post was intentionally vague to make a point. I use context-specific stories in blog posts and sales copy all the time, and I stand by the assertion that they are the most effective method there is.

Hopefully you read the follow-up post to the one you cite… that post alone doesn’t make a lot of sense without it. :)

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