SmallBusinessNewz

Within the search engine optimization industry, Matt Cutts's name is synonymous with Google.  He's an engineer who goes out of his way to discuss new features and corporate policies, and audiences have responded well to his tips and tone.  So new advice on "company blogging" from Cutts seems worth mentioning.

Admittedly, Google's market cap of $146 billion puts it a little out of the usual range of small businesses, and Cutts does all his writing on something other than an official blog.  We'll hit his tips, though, so you can see their applicability for yourself.

First, Cutts writes, "Don't make hard promises about the future."  If something's still in development, you may want to make some changes or delay the final stage.  Or a supplier could go bankrupt or an asteroid might hit your main store, so there's no point in not using terms like "plan to" and "should."

Next, he suggests, "Don't trash talk a competitor.  Your product should be strong enough that you don't have to diss a competing company."  Also, "Sometimes other companies will throw dirt in your direction.  In that case, the challenge is to correct any misperceptions without picking a fight.  But first ask yourself: do you really need to respond at all?  If not, then maybe it's better not to get pulled into an argument where everyone involved loses a little credibility."

The final tip is something of a follow-up: "Don't post when you're angry."  The entire future of your business shouldn't get risked due to an emotion that will pass in less than 24 hours.

Not bad advice, right?  And if following it can make you look even the slightest bit like the giant Google, all the better.