Blog like a Barista – Five lessons from Starbucks

October 19, 2009

By Rhona Bronson

Regardless of your coffee preference in the ongoing Starbucks versus Dunkin’ Donuts taste debate, Starbucks has become so pervasive in our world that it bears study. In The Starbucks Experience published in 2007, author Joseph starbuckslogo Michelli reviews what has made Starbucks not just a new product or service, but part of our current cultural experience.

New cultural experience? Sounds a bit like blogging, and no surprise – there are clear blogging lessons to be learned from Starbucks – five of them to be exact. At Starbucks, they are called the “Five Ways of Being.”

Be welcoming
Be genuine
Be considerate
Be knowledgeable
Be involved

It’s a great map for a great blog.

Welcoming – make sure your format, tone and content let a reader know you want to be read.
Genuine – use your own voice and write from your own experience.
Considerate – let the conversation evolve and be open to all opinions.
Knowledgeable – if you’re an expert in your own field, share your expertise. If you’re learning about your field, don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Share what you’re learning and share your excitement or passion about your chosen endeavor. The experts will likely pony up in the comments area.
Involved – stay up-to-date with your topic, field and readers. Know what matters and why, and keep posting. If you don’t post regularly, you’re not involved, so why should anyone else care?

So, get or brew yourself a cuppa Joe from whatever brand, sit in front of your computer and blog away the Starbucks way.

This entry was posted on October 19, 2009 at 10:28 am and is filed under Business Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

2 Responses to “ Blog like a Barista – Five lessons from Starbucks ”

Jeannette Paladino on October 19, 2009 at 7:17 pm

I’d just like to add the ability to use your laptop at Starbuck’s and access their wireless access by paying as little as $5 for a Starbuck’s Card. Buy a cup of coffee with the card and the wireless is basically free. Obviously, this makes good business sense for Starbuck’s because it gets people into their stores but it also supports their “Five Ways of Being.”
Deb Lamb on October 20, 2009 at 4:54 pm

Great ideas and information Rhona! Things that we all need reminding of from time to time for sure. Thanks for sharing great information.

Deb