the corporate bloggerverse

the way i see it, corporate blogs have two choices: they blog about their expertise spouting out advice and industry secrets or they can opt to have a "personality" blogging about things that parlay into their corporate culture giving potential and existing customers an inside peek into *who* is behind the brand.

i looked at a few corporate blogs this weekend to get a feel for which i might tap into as a fan or customer and which i would leave behind.


i fell hard for the sharpie blog. it's witty and engaging, speaks 100% to the sharpie personality. my favorite feature highlights celebs with their sharpies but i also loved the use of video and the super playful sense you get from browsing through posts. their funny banter and comfortable writing style encourages readers to leave comments which the sharpie writer then responds to. sharpie obviously understands the commitment posting really well thought out and hilarious bits two times a week on average. score: 10-for-10 in obeying the 10 harsh truths about corporate blogging and an add to my google reader (clearly the highest compliment i can offer!).


next i looked at everyone's fave online shoe retailer, zappos. their blog runs the gamut, showcasing everything from open positions at headquarters to an inside peek at how luxe boots are made. so cool! as a customer, i adored the information on their philanthropic efforts sprinkled among interviews with designers from their most popular brands. it's a really interesting take on a corporate blog and i found them to be a bit self indulgent without being obnoxious. score: 9 for 10 and an add to my google reader on a trial basis. i would like to watch this one go by for awhile...


"nuts about southwest" is another really clever corporate blog. they've been doing it for four years and it shows. their posts are a cool balance between exciting updates, new offers, and something called flashback fridays which shows how far they've come. as a southwest customer, i appreciate the opportunity to find a wealth of corporate information in one place. there wasn't one post in five pages that i skipped over because each had its purpose. score: 10 for 10 but no add. i will pop in on occasion to see what's new, though.

i felt all three were excellent examples of rising above the fear and just being yourself.