Gloggers Unite!
A smart, savvy woman recently complimented me on my “glog.” She wasn’t trying to be funny - she just couldn’t recall the correct term. I usually don’t glog - ur - blog about blogging as there are many experts (real and self-anointed) out there who do nothing but blog about blogging. (above quote from Technorati)
Then in doing some client research, I ran across this from Forbes:
It stands to reason that budding businesspeople would be attracted to Weblogs, those do-it-yourself publishing sites that embody the very spirit of entrepreneurism. What do blogs add to the small-business dialogue that a whole host of magazines, cable channels and Web sites don’t? In addition to transmitting news, industry gossip and occasional rants, the best small business blogs offer interactivity, allowing readers to chime into the dialogue with their own bright ideas. There are, unfortunately, too many small business blogs peddling the same prosaic resources you can get from a simple google search. The better ones at least offer fresh insight on the mundane and first-hand accounts from the entrepreneurial front lines. — Lea Goldman
Many of my clients and readers don’t have a blog and in fact aren’t even sure what one is or why they should care, particularly when they read dismissive, ill-informed blurbs like this. Wow! Thanks so much, Lea. Accurate data and useful wisdom is only a quick Google search away! I feel ever so much better! The truth really is out there! (Yes, and Fox News actually broadcasts news…heh.)
Snark aside, I frequently get asked why/what/where/who about blogging, as well as why do I blog, doesn’t that take a lot of time away from my “real” work?
Here’s the thing: Yes, there is a ton of dreck and drivel out there (and a lot of it will pop right up in that “simple Google search” - so beware.) But, dissing all blogs just doesn’t make sense. I don’t read People to find deep business insights. I don’t visit E! Online to read about foreign policy. I read Wonkette for completely different reasons than Tom Peters. You don’t call your attorney or CPA for marketing advice (or at least you shouldn’t.) So it should be with blogs. That’s why my blog list (on the right of this column) is separated into the categories, “business” “life” and “stuff.” And, I don’t have a bazillion links - I’m giving you the ones I recommend for quality, relevance and entertainment. So, if you give me credibility as a source, I’ve saved you from wandering in the Google wilderness.
Then there is the connection that is enabled by blogs. Googling and surfing the web is like attending a gigantic trade show. You’re one speck in the crowd, surrounded by other specks, all trudging the aisles, being bombarded with noise and collecting crap you’ll trash on the way home. When you blog, you become part of a community. For me, it’s like leaving the convention hall and entering a small hospitality suite for a few cocktails and some good conversation.
(Enter suite, with deep sigh of relief to be out of the crowd) There’s Michele and Holly over in the corner - What brilliance are those two up to now? “Hey there Mike! loved your insight about branding - really came in handy working with my new client!” And, oh, there’s my other favorite Mike! “Great idea re web sites the other day!”… “Great tips on free software tools, Bruce - and here’s one for you.”… Here come Yvonne and Susan to talk about NAWBO…There’s Phil and Starbucker over by the window - do those guys ever look unhappy?
So it goes - it’s both a fun and educational party. “Glog” on!
(And, yes, I do get business from blogging, but like anything else, success requires that you plan the work and work the plan.)
Read More:
Globeblogging or Blogtrotting? (Mike Sansone)
Web sites, e-letters and blogs, here’s why… (Susan Getgood)
Directing Customers to Your Blog. (Maria Palma)
Related Posts:
I don’t care if only 50 people read my blog.
Connection or Chatter?
Missing the Point of Blogs
Did You Miss the Blogging Boat?
Tags: business blogs, blogging, business development small business blogs
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September 18th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
I love Google. Google news is where I read my mainstream news. But I can’t create a relationship with most sites Google points me to.
That’s why I love blogs. I can use Google to help find a blog about something I’m interested in, and then become part of a conversation with an ‘expert’ in their field by commenting on their blog. (In fact, just like what I’m doing right now)
It may not seem like much, but it’s this connection that make blogs so darned powerful and useful.
September 18th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Awesome stuff Mary. It is all about the relationships, to be sure, for blogs. Do you read the newspaper because you’re looking for a connection? If you are, I bet you rarely get your fix (unless it’s reading the personals, but that’s not for me to talk about). The 2 way communication ROCKS, and then the in person meet-ups are even better. Glog on!
September 19th, 2006 at 7:56 am
Thanks, Phil! And,you Glog On! as well (as long as we don’t - um - start clogging those Internet “tube”)
September 19th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Hi Mary…a hospitality suite for a few cocktails sounds like a great idea!
Always honored to be one of your “glog buddies”!
And thanks for defending the very powerful notion that two way dialogue with others who are sharing the journey and looking for wisdom they can apply always makes for a fun party!
Glog on!
September 20th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Thanks for “glogging” about me, and better still putting me in the same category as Phil! (BTW, your link to me was actually to Phil too). And I’m darned glad to be i”connected” to you too! Rock on Mary - you tell it like you see it, and that’s what good blogging is all about.
September 21st, 2006 at 7:18 am
Oops. Sorry about that - the link is now corrected.
And, you guys really are just too happy!
I come to your blogs whenever I need a smile (usually right after I’ve read the political headlines for the day. Sigh.)
Glog on!
September 30th, 2006 at 9:50 am
I have to know, why is the last category of your blog list called “Nobodies?”
October 1st, 2006 at 8:21 am
A while back, some of us bloggers were having some fun (with a point). It’s the International Association of Nobodies. Read about it in my post Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody.
November 15th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
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February 7th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Once again, great insight into glogging… I mean, blogging… I mean, connecting. One of the biggest drawbacks to blogging, IMHO, is the name. Nine out of ten people we work with on blogs say the name ‘blog’ is a turn off. It’s a techie term that just doesn’t ‘trip’ off the tongue.
Glogging is fun and kitchy and relevant, to bloggers, I think.
Can we come up with a better term - to create a comfort zone when we begin the “say, you could use a blog” conversation? Something that wouldn’t make people’s eyes glaze over?
June 13th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
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June 13th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
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June 13th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
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