Guest Business Blog Post: Singing My Song

Today my friend Cindy Hartman of Hartman Inventory contributes a guest blog post in answer to my challenge to use song titles as inspiration for business blogging:

I enjoy reading Rhoda’s blog posts in Say It For You because I learn a lot from them! Accepting her challenge (I’m going to challenge readers to pick out song titles – either from my list or from anywhere – and show why they think that song expresses some aspect of their own business!). Instead, I decided to use the song title idea to thank her.

“Stuck On You” (Lionel Richie)
This post is a way for me to say thank you for all Rhoda has done for me. Whether personal or through her blog posts, she is always willing to share her expertise. Her articles offer insight about blogging, branding, marketing, grammar and creativity. I’m stuck on reading her posts daily.

“Help!” (The Beatles)
Rhoda teaches us how to do things, rather than just tell us. Case in point: using song titles to come up with new ideas for our blogs. She’s currently writing a “song series” herself, so we can read and learn. Examples, examples, examples = help with a capital H.

There are two specific areas she’s been very helpful – reaffirming my belief that people want to hear stories and supporting me in being a “grammar freak”.

“If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (Simply Red)
As a small business owner who provides a business and home inventory service, I know how important it is for you to know, like and trust me. The best way for this to happen is to allow you to meet me through my blog. Then, you’re more apt to do business with me. One of Rhoda’s blog posts, Blogs Who Need People, encouraged me to continue to include personal stories in my blog posts.

“Since U Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson)
How hard is it to say “you’ve” instead of “you”? Many marketing experts state that blogging is casual and we shouldn’t be concerned about punctuation and grammar. There seems to be a need to crank out blog posts quickly at the expense of correct construction. I’ve always questioned that because I believe my writing represents my business – and me, as a person. Sloppy writing could easily give the impression that my service is offered in such a manner as well.

“It’s Over” (Roy Orbison)
In closing, I want to reiterate how song titles and lyrics can inspire creativity, having used them as blog post titles. However, I never thought to take it to a full theme/series of posts. I have accepted the challenge! Starting next week, I’ll write a series discussing all the different reasons for a business or home inventory.

Please join me on my blog to read the series her suggestion helped me create.

Cindy