How Much Can A 10-Gallon Blog Hold?

"Alas, the 10-gallon hat falls 87 percent short of its promise," laments Mental Floss Magazine (Mar-Apr 2010). "The discrepancy is the result of poor communication, not poor measurement," the article is quick to clarify.

Early versions of the cowboy hat came from Mexico, we learn, where the hats were decorated with colorful braids called "galons".  The taller the hat, the more galons it could hold.

Ever on the hunt for hints about effective communication to improve business blogging, I found at least five galons’ worth in the Mental Floss piece:

• The sales mantra "Underpromise; over-deliver." holds true in blog marketing.  Go light on heavy claims of results from using your product or service to avoid falling short on your promises.
   
• Blog posts are the perfect vehicle for myth-busting (clarifying, for example, that the average Stetson holds 3 quarts, not ten gallons).
   
• Clarity is paramount in blogs.  Say less in each post, but take pains to ensure readers unfamiliar with industry jargon still get the point.
   
• Questions in blog post titles help capture interest:

                    How much…?
                    How far….?
                    How long….?
                    How little….?
                    How true is…..?

• History tidbits engage readers’ curiosity, evoking an "I didn’t know that!" response.

So, how much can a 10-gallon blog hold? Just enough to assure searchers they’ve arrived at the right place to find what they need!