Comments on: Small Business Can’t Afford Not to Blog

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:27:58 +0000

Dewita- thanks for the comment and the support. Static sites can serve a function, but I do prefer the interactive nature of blogs. Communities don’t surround websites, but they do surround blogs.
Lenny- you are going in the right direction. Finding the correct content can be hard, but if you look at Ann’s post about the 7 ingredients, you’re in good shape. Also, it is mo opinion that you can build community around a blog by simply being your self. Sometimes that seems silly or mundane, but somtimes that is what works the best.
Outside of that, decide who you want your community to be and then talk to them. They’ll help you decide what content is most relevant.

By: Dewita

Dewita — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:59:15 +0000

Amen, brotha! I’ve been using blog to help build my biz. My competitive advantage in this industry. I wouldn’t trade blog for a static and boring website!

By: Lenny

Lenny — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:53:59 +0000

I’ve heard so much about the advantages blogging yields for small business, so that I basically just have to believe you. I am a student writing on his thesis. I’m developing a marketing strategy for a small business that arranges internships, language courses and the like in Chile. So I was definitely considering blogging as one of the marketing measures to consider. The pre-reqs for that are wonderful: young people that know how to handle computers, a database of contact and the potential to create a sense of belonging, the love for Chile. However, I’ve been thinking hard about the contents of that blog. What should be put in there, to attract our customers to check it regularly. I think that is still the hardest part. Everybody can handle a blog. The art is building a community around it.
(Oh, and I would be thankful for any creative input for my case )

By: Mack Collier

Mack Collier — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 20:59:06 +0000

Tim my man you are so dead on here. I think for small businesses, blogging is a great equalizer. Small businesses have the one HUGE advantage over big companies in that they are closer to their community of customers. Which means they better understand them, and a blog just makes that connection that much stronger.
Great post, definitely pin-up material.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 21:50:28 +0000

Ken- Thanks for that bit of info about the link not working. I wrote the article and set up the link, but I’m sure this is all Ann’s fault somehow- she’s been trying to sabotage me. The company site does have a link to my blog, but it is relatively “hidden” in the “News” section. I do want to move it to the home page though… so we’ll see if I win that battle.
CK- I’m with you sister (and welcome to the DF by the way). Blogging has given me way more than I have given to it. Hell, blogging is what got me here…
If all it costs is a little time, isn’t it worth the investment?

By: CK

CK — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 21:26:12 +0000

Yep, I’m a member of the choir you’re preaching to indeed! I’ve had tremendous fortune, from friendships, smarts and new business, through blogging. When I first started I wondered how I could ever do it, or fit it into my day…now it’s a staple.
Can’t stress enough the types of fortune I’ve found, not just new biz (though that is terrific) but so many new ideas, opinions, contacts and, yes, friends.
Glad it’s done so well by your shop.

By: Ken Burgin

Ken Burgin — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 21:10:51 +0000

Interesting – would be good to have a link to Tim’s blog from the Masi site, which is very flashy-fancy. It needs some humans there…
Ken
BTW link to Tim’s blog in the article is faulty

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:35:33 +0000

Carolyn,
I totally agree with you. In a previous work life, I ran a Customer Service department. We had a very technical product and it experienced lots of issues, due to how technical it was and the environment it was used in. Suffice it to say, we were very busy in the department. At that time, before blogging, I spent a lot of time on discussion forums reading complaints about the product. I would reply to each one and try to fix the problems and correct inaccurracies. In the end, it proved to be very beneficial- even though at first it looked bad. By answering the critics in an open forum, we were able to turn negatives into positives. It even got to the point that people were posting comments specifically to get in touch with me and get quick replies to questions/ concerns/ problems… much like a blog works now.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 17:23:27 +0000

I find it quite interesting that in spite of all the obvious benefits of blogging, so many companies still let the fear of it paralyze them. They are so petrified at the prospect of some passerby leaving a negative comment on their blog that will reflect poorly on their brand. But we should embrace the chance to face those negative comments head-on and address them in an open dialog with our customers, which I’m sure will be far more appreciated than ignoring customers’ issues.