{"id":7614,"date":"2012-07-09T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2012-07-09T12:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.shareaholic.com\/?p=7614"},"modified":"2014-05-05T18:35:05","modified_gmt":"2014-05-05T22:35:05","slug":"b2c_blogs_marketers_should_read","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shareaholic.com\/blog\/b2c_blogs_marketers_should_read\/","title":{"rendered":"7 B2C Blogs Marketers Should Be Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Want more traffic and engagement for your content? Get all the tools you need with Shareaholic for your blog.<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Your reader account is probably chock-full of feeds from some great blogs. Blogs you read to stay current on marketing tools and tricks or get smart about concepts and new developments in your industry. No doubt, reading is fundamental to professional growth, whether you\u2019re a CEO with stripes or a damp-eared rookie.<\/p>\n

And while the business part of your brain may be kept fat and happy, what\u2019s going on with the other part? The part of your being that is nurtured by interests and hobbies that have nothing to do with reports, code or the AP Stylebook?<\/p>\n

We want to help you find some balance between business and personal reads. Check out these blogs for fresh brain fuel that will still teach you a thing or two about marketing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

FOOD AND DRINK<\/h3>\n

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Many readers may recognize The Pioneer Woman<\/a> as a truly wonderful treat for the eyeballs. Fabulous photography and rich storytelling make this blog a favorite of many homemakers, busy mothers, and foodies more interested in the joy of sharing a meal than the science of culinary arts.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn:<\/span>\u00a0 Have a product to sell? Take note how Ree, the blog author, doesn\u2019t bang you over the head with pitches for her cookbooks. Instead, she freely offers cooking advice that lets you know she\u2019s the real deal. You\u2019ll buy her book on your own accord because you want more of what she\u2019s serving! The \u201csoft sell\u201d approach could be one to mimic.<\/p>\n

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Stonyfield Farms<\/a>, makers of healthy organic yogurt products, features a blog for the wholesome-loving adult. Whether you\u2019re a parent, aunt\/uncle, or godparent to an inquisitive, growing youngster, you\u2019ll probably find Stonyfield\u2019s stories center and ground you with topics ranging from teaching kids how to be lil\u2019 organic farmers to the best yogurt-substitution recipes.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn<\/span>:\u00a0 Stonyfield does a good job at covering a broader base of content related to their primary topic \u2013 not just \u201call yogurt, all the time.\u201d Instead, they realize readers are whole people, with lives and families that run parallel to their interests in eating healthy and being earth-conscious. Folks setting a blog\u2019s editorial strategy should take lessons: address your whole reader, not just a slice of their role or responsibility.<\/p>\n

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Another fun blog to check out is Fearless Homemaker<\/a>, written by Amy Donovan. Unlike Pioneer Woman where recipes read like a daily diary, Fearless Homemaker showcases a more eclectic array of good eats and craft projects. While not truly a B2C blog in the strictest sense (sports a few sponsor-y things, though), Fearless Homemaker could be one to watch.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn<\/span>:\u00a0 A lighter, quirkier read, Fearless Homemaker is one blog people turn to when they want something new and likely untried among their circle of friends. It\u2019s a little fun, a little flirty, and overall personable and approachable. When trying to pinpoint a voice for your blog (one used consistently in content production), be sure to tie it to your brand position. Sell handmade goods on your blog? Fun and flirty might fit you well.<\/p>\n

FINANCE<\/h3>\n

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Ahh, the real deal you never got in school (or from your parents) but wish you had. That\u2019s what Peter Dunn delivers on his Pete The Planner<\/a> blog. With funny yet straight-up advice about budgeting, credit, and loans, you\u2019ll learn how to embrace being accountable for your own decisions and financial destiny. Pete doesn\u2019t pull any punches, and while occasionally there\u2019s some sting when his words strike too close to home (as in, you recognize yourself in the completely lame scenario he describes), there\u2019s no time like the present to get on the right track. PS \u2013 Pete is offering a new book you just might want to buy, What Your Dad Never Taught You About Budgeting<\/em>.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn<\/span>:\u00a0 I love the way Pete infuses humor with his \u201cdon\u2019t be stupid\u201d counseling. As an author, media personality, and consultant, Pete found a way to wrap his business objective \u2013 making people more financially responsible \u2013 with a style that compels readers to do better, to try more. Like The Pioneer Woman, Pete uses a content strategy that freely offers deep, actionable advice to anyone who cares enough to read his blog. His \u201cmoneymakers\u201d feel secondary.<\/p>\n

FITNESS<\/h3>\n

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Sometimes what you need to keep moving is a kick in the rear\u2026or two! Tone It Up<\/a> is produced by fitness leaders Karena and Katrina, best pals who took their passion for health and fitness to new levels with a blog, fitness studio, instructional video series, subscription-based diet plan and exercise equipment.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn<\/span>:\u00a0 These ladies have great photography down to a science. Okay, naturally as fitness buffs they\u2019re easy to look at. But the quality of their imagery coupled with the composition of the photos fits nicely with their position that every man and woman can achieve their fitness goals, and have fun while doing it. Marketers, think about the photography used on your site or in your collateral. Does it help tell your brand story or merely fit the hole in the template?<\/p>\n

SPIRITUAL<\/h3>\n

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Some folks are religious, and others consider themselves spiritual. Whether you know your holy book by heart or simply feel a connection with a higher power and wonder about your role here on earth, Modern Reject<\/a> is a blog that will get you thinking.<\/p>\n

Author Nicole Cottrell writes on her \u201cAbout\u201d page that she doesn\u2019t like religion, but she loves Jesus. Sound unconventional? You bet. Nicole\u2019s posts look at parables and scripture lessons through the lens of a flawed human. She\u2019s a modern woman who strives to build up more than she tears down.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn<\/span>: Nicole covers sensitive territory with grace and humility every day. She doesn\u2019t have all the answers \u2013 nor claim to. It\u2019s likely that your business interests cover more traditional products or services but I think it\u2019s important to take a lesson from Nicole \u2013 invite discussion and debate, and seek opinions and points-of-view from your targets and partners. It is<\/strong> possible to be both an authority and approachable company.<\/p>\n

INSPIRATIONAL<\/h3>\n

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Marie Forleo<\/a> is a whirlwind, and I haven\u2019t even had the pleasure of meeting her in person. One look at her blog and readers get pulled into a vortex of straight talk about how to achieve financial and emotional freedom. Covering lessons in business and life, Marie\u2019s video and text posts cover real issues and offer authentic encouragement to help women entrepreneurs go make themselves happy. She offers several training programs and live events you might want to check out, too.<\/p>\n

What bloggers\/marketers can learn<\/span>: I love what Marie does with video almost as much as I love the niche she\u2019s carved for herself covering the real issues and fears that paralyze people from reaching happiness and success. Personally, it\u2019s rare that I watch a video segment. I\u2019d rather process words than moving pictures. But her authentic, personable style \u2013 and passion for people \u2013 shines in her videos. Take heed: if you do video, put people in front of the camera who actually like being in front of the camera. We know if you\u2019re sweating bullets up there.<\/p>\n

Heather Rast is Principal of Insights & Ingenuity, a brand-building Internet marketing firm<\/a>. She helps clients earn brand preference through thoughtful positioning, useful content, and supportive online communities. Heather writes frequently for Social Media Explorer, MarketingProfs, and Content Marketing Institute. She\u2019s @heatherrast<\/a> on Twitter.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want more traffic and engagement for your content? Get all the tools you need with Shareaholic for your blog. Your reader account is probably chock-full… 
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