Comments on: Blogging for Business – Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox? http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/ Hidden Internet Tips For Sales And Business Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:55:48 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kyla Andrew http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-999 Kyla Andrew Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:56:55 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-999 <p>Although blogging has the potential to have a negative impact: embarrassment, boredom or alienation of customers, contribution to information overload, or potentially lead a person or company on the wrong end of a lawsuit, I believe that blogging used smartly and strategically can be a powerful new business tool for corporations and small businesses. First, the costs and resources needed for blogging are quite limited. Unlike corporate websites, “b-blogs” (business blogs) are cheap to launch and easy to maintain, thanks to powerful, easy-to-use tools. (Stuart, 2003). The business world's posting pioneers say blogging helps them network, boost sales, and even lobby -- at a fraction of the cost of traditional media. Jonathan Schwartz, president and chief operating officer of server maker Sun Microsystems says "there's no fundamental difference between giving a keynote speech in Shanghai in front of 30,000 people and doing a blog read by several million people." (Kharif, 2004). Second, blogs are a new medium for executives to speak to the people without the hindrance from the media or news analysts. This medium allows more freedom to the executives as what they have to say can be seen in full, rather than cut and edited by the media to fit a news segment. Even more importantly, the blog gives the consumers the chance to be heard, as they can post their comments to a blog. This is a vital feature as any business in the end really wants to know what it is their consumers want. Deliver what the consumers want and a business can generate loyalty. “To be sure, the intimacy found in blog culture conversation, customers can get to know workers—and vice-versa. Affiliation breeds loyalty. Customers begin to talk among themselves. A typo that would be an embarrassment in an advertisement becomes a sign of authenticity on a blog” (Cross, 2003). Lastly, despite the reality that blogs are relatively new and are not the current big thing in technology, there is reason to believe that soon they will be. “New formats are intimidating. Remember buying your first DVD? Or your first book on tape? Felt odd at first, but soon it was natural. Blogs are a new format. Approximatley four million people write blogs, and blogging is growing faster than when the Internet was experiencing its period of maximum growth” (Cross, 2003). Chris Charron, an analyst with tech consultancy Forrester Research in Boston says “in fact, these [business] blogs which now account for a handful of the estimated 20,000 blogs on the Web, could eventually grab a lion's share of the Internet audience.”<br /> Furthermore, Jonathan Schwartz also said that a blog “is a must- have tool for every executive. It'll be no more mandatory that they have blogs than that they have a phone and an e-mail account." (Kharif, 2004). In conclusion, I believe that it is quite clear that there are paramount advantages to a business using a blog to target their market, network, share information, express themselves far more freely than by traditional media means, and truly communicate to the consumers in a way that is faster and cheaper than anything else currently being used. Thus, blogging can truly be a powerful new business tool.</p> Although blogging has the potential to have a negative impact: embarrassment, boredom or alienation of customers, contribution to information overload, or potentially lead a person or company on the wrong end of a lawsuit, I believe that blogging used smartly and strategically can be a powerful new business tool for corporations and small businesses. First, the costs and resources needed for blogging are quite limited. Unlike corporate websites, “b-blogs” (business blogs) are cheap to launch and easy to maintain, thanks to powerful, easy-to-use tools. (Stuart, 2003). The business world’s posting pioneers say blogging helps them network, boost sales, and even lobby — at a fraction of the cost of traditional media. Jonathan Schwartz, president and chief operating officer of server maker Sun Microsystems says “there’s no fundamental difference between giving a keynote speech in Shanghai in front of 30,000 people and doing a blog read by several million people.” (Kharif, 2004). Second, blogs are a new medium for executives to speak to the people without the hindrance from the media or news analysts. This medium allows more freedom to the executives as what they have to say can be seen in full, rather than cut and edited by the media to fit a news segment. Even more importantly, the blog gives the consumers the chance to be heard, as they can post their comments to a blog. This is a vital feature as any business in the end really wants to know what it is their consumers want. Deliver what the consumers want and a business can generate loyalty. “To be sure, the intimacy found in blog culture conversation, customers can get to know workers—and vice-versa. Affiliation breeds loyalty. Customers begin to talk among themselves. A typo that would be an embarrassment in an advertisement becomes a sign of authenticity on a blog” (Cross, 2003). Lastly, despite the reality that blogs are relatively new and are not the current big thing in technology, there is reason to believe that soon they will be. “New formats are intimidating. Remember buying your first DVD? Or your first book on tape? Felt odd at first, but soon it was natural. Blogs are a new format. Approximatley four million people write blogs, and blogging is growing faster than when the Internet was experiencing its period of maximum growth” (Cross, 2003). Chris Charron, an analyst with tech consultancy Forrester Research in Boston says “in fact, these [business] blogs which now account for a handful of the estimated 20,000 blogs on the Web, could eventually grab a lion’s share of the Internet audience.”
Furthermore, Jonathan Schwartz also said that a blog “is a must- have tool for every executive. It’ll be no more mandatory that they have blogs than that they have a phone and an e-mail account.” (Kharif, 2004). In conclusion, I believe that it is quite clear that there are paramount advantages to a business using a blog to target their market, network, share information, express themselves far more freely than by traditional media means, and truly communicate to the consumers in a way that is faster and cheaper than anything else currently being used. Thus, blogging can truly be a powerful new business tool.

]]> By: Liz Bender http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-917 Liz Bender Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:58:12 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-917 <p>Although there are both positive and negative aspects to blogs, if researched correctly blogs can be very effective in searching for information. I did not know much about blogs before the Google presentation and my first opinion of them was that the majority of them contained false information. Even though this is true, if you search the right way blogs can be an excellent source of information. Corporations can use blogs to their advantage to see what is being said about them and their competitors.</p> Although there are both positive and negative aspects to blogs, if researched correctly blogs can be very effective in searching for information. I did not know much about blogs before the Google presentation and my first opinion of them was that the majority of them contained false information. Even though this is true, if you search the right way blogs can be an excellent source of information. Corporations can use blogs to their advantage to see what is being said about them and their competitors.

]]> By: Kyle Johnson http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-916 Kyle Johnson Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:49:43 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-916 <p>I agree that blogging can be a powerful new business tool for corporations and small business. It’s a cost effective way to promote a business and maintain a healthy corporate image. “Blogs are basically content management systems with additional functionality such as comments, trackbacks and RSS. In many ways, blogs are no different than web sites.” (http://www.businessblogconsulting.com/) As well it connects a business to people and is a simple effect way of critiquing a business’s plan. It is also a valuable tool for increasing a company’s popularity. “Who wouldn’t want to blog? Your search engine rankings skyrocket… you build lasting relationships, and you find out what your customers are saying… “(http://www.sixapart.com/typepad/whyblog). As well, there’s virtually no cost to start a blog. The risk will have little consequences but could have huge rewards (http://bloggingforbusinessbook.com/).</p> I agree that blogging can be a powerful new business tool for corporations and small business. It’s a cost effective way to promote a business and maintain a healthy corporate image. “Blogs are basically content management systems with additional functionality such as comments, trackbacks and RSS. In many ways, blogs are no different than web sites.” (http://www.businessblogconsulting.com/) As well it connects a business to people and is a simple effect way of critiquing a business’s plan. It is also a valuable tool for increasing a company’s popularity. “Who wouldn’t want to blog? Your search engine rankings skyrocket… you build lasting relationships, and you find out what your customers are saying… “(http://www.sixapart.com/typepad/whyblog). As well, there’s virtually no cost to start a blog. The risk will have little consequences but could have huge rewards (http://bloggingforbusinessbook.com/).

]]> By: Zach Silverman http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-980 Zach Silverman Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:18:28 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-980 <p>Blogging, along with many other forms of networking and communication in a business can be as hugely successful and advantageous as it can be a huge hindrance to productivity. Blogs can be used as tools, for the spread of informaiton amongst businesses and the employees of businesses, sharing valuable knowledge with one another that they would not otherwise digest through casual conversation or direct communication. In fact, according to Wikipedia's entry on "blogs", corporate blogs are a widely used tool, "Blogs, either used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or PR purposes are called corporate blogs."</p> <p>Blogs can also be used for business-consumer relationship, "Blogs build connections and links between and among your key audiences, which help the corporations to use these networks over time to persuade people to action, to respond to a crisis, to leverage market conversations and to improve the business overall." (Wikipedia: Corporate Blog)</p> <p>Blogs can even extend to the level of corporate CEO's posting to engage their customers and employees and drive the company onwards. (http://www.globalprblogweek.com/2005/09/19/taylor-why-ceos-should-not-blog/) But are blogs consuming too much time from what would be otherwise very important activities? At this point, there is not a big enough case to state that businesspeople are hurting their businesses to any major extent by spending too much time on blogs. It is probably much more advantageous to have them writing educated articles on company strategy, etc, than it is to have them playing solitaire on company time. For now, I think companies should continue exploring the uses of blogging.</p> Blogging, along with many other forms of networking and communication in a business can be as hugely successful and advantageous as it can be a huge hindrance to productivity. Blogs can be used as tools, for the spread of informaiton amongst businesses and the employees of businesses, sharing valuable knowledge with one another that they would not otherwise digest through casual conversation or direct communication. In fact, according to Wikipedia’s entry on “blogs”, corporate blogs are a widely used tool, “Blogs, either used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or PR purposes are called corporate blogs.”

Blogs can also be used for business-consumer relationship, “Blogs build connections and links between and among your key audiences, which help the corporations to use these networks over time to persuade people to action, to respond to a crisis, to leverage market conversations and to improve the business overall.” (Wikipedia: Corporate Blog)

Blogs can even extend to the level of corporate CEO’s posting to engage their customers and employees and drive the company onwards. (http://www.globalprblogweek.com/2005/09/19/taylor-why-ceos-should-not-blog/) But are blogs consuming too much time from what would be otherwise very important activities? At this point, there is not a big enough case to state that businesspeople are hurting their businesses to any major extent by spending too much time on blogs. It is probably much more advantageous to have them writing educated articles on company strategy, etc, than it is to have them playing solitaire on company time. For now, I think companies should continue exploring the uses of blogging.

]]> By: Larissa Cain http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-995 Larissa Cain Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:05:33 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-995 <p>Larissa Cain<br /> BUS 1040-5<br /> Blogging Exercise<br /> January 17, 2007<br /> Posted January 22, 2007</p> <p>Blog is short for weblog. A weblog is similar to a newsletter that is updated regularly and is open for the use of the general public. Blogs are also meant the display the personality of the author so that people can learn more about them via website. Currently, I do not think that blogging is a legitimate business tool simply because it does not sound legitimate. When I hear about blogging I immediately picture a pre-teen sitting behind Myspace telling everyone about their problems, not a top executive explaining a product or service. However, if this stereotype of blogging changes then I think that it could become a viable tool for businesses.<br /> First of all, blogging can be a used to communicate more directly with the customers. Mr. Marriot is a prime example of this ideology. According to www.businessblogconsulting.com, via www.google.com, Mr. Marriot states: “Bottom line, I believe in communicating with the customer, and the Internet gives me a whole new way of doing that on a global scale. I’d rather engage directly in dialogue with you because that’s how we learn and grow as a company.” Mr. Marriot makes a good point with this quote and many customers would certainly appreciate having a relationship with a company that at least felt more personal.<br /> Secondly, http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/ecommerce/a/bblogs.htm, also via www.google.com, points out that a blog is a great opportunity for a business to exhibit their expertise in their area and display their knowledge to a large audience. Potential customers would likely be grateful for the reassurance that the company is competent in the field. This also demonstrates the company’s dedication the customers by making such an effort to keep them informed and involved in the workings of the company.<br /> Blogs can be used for communicating with employees as well. Through www.yahoo.com, http://humanresources.about.com/od/businessblogs/a/business_blogs.htm makes the point that it is helpful for employees to receive the same information at the same time. For this function blogging makes more sense than a newsletter, which is issued monthly in most companies and distributed unequally. This is particularly difficult to manage in a large company. A blog would easily allow all employees to catch up on the corporation at any time.<br /> Finally, www.corporateblogging.info from www.ask.com, makes the excellent point that blogging would contribute to the company’s results in search engines. Nearly everyone turns to a site like Google when they need help with something or are looking for information. It would be infinitely valuable for a corporation to be included in the search engines.<br /> While the connotations regarding blogging today do not have much to do with top executives of major corporations, it could likely become a useful tool for businesses. Not only can blogs be used for communicating with customers and employees but also for improving business in general. These are only a few possible applications of corporate blogging. Weblogs have the potential to be a great resource for businesses.</p> Larissa Cain
BUS 1040-5
Blogging Exercise
January 17, 2007
Posted January 22, 2007

Blog is short for weblog. A weblog is similar to a newsletter that is updated regularly and is open for the use of the general public. Blogs are also meant the display the personality of the author so that people can learn more about them via website. Currently, I do not think that blogging is a legitimate business tool simply because it does not sound legitimate. When I hear about blogging I immediately picture a pre-teen sitting behind Myspace telling everyone about their problems, not a top executive explaining a product or service. However, if this stereotype of blogging changes then I think that it could become a viable tool for businesses.
First of all, blogging can be a used to communicate more directly with the customers. Mr. Marriot is a prime example of this ideology. According to http://www.businessblogconsulting.com, via http://www.google.com, Mr. Marriot states: “Bottom line, I believe in communicating with the customer, and the Internet gives me a whole new way of doing that on a global scale. I’d rather engage directly in dialogue with you because that’s how we learn and grow as a company.” Mr. Marriot makes a good point with this quote and many customers would certainly appreciate having a relationship with a company that at least felt more personal.
Secondly, http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/ecommerce/a/bblogs.htm, also via http://www.google.com, points out that a blog is a great opportunity for a business to exhibit their expertise in their area and display their knowledge to a large audience. Potential customers would likely be grateful for the reassurance that the company is competent in the field. This also demonstrates the company’s dedication the customers by making such an effort to keep them informed and involved in the workings of the company.
Blogs can be used for communicating with employees as well. Through http://www.yahoo.com, http://humanresources.about.com/od/businessblogs/a/business_blogs.htm makes the point that it is helpful for employees to receive the same information at the same time. For this function blogging makes more sense than a newsletter, which is issued monthly in most companies and distributed unequally. This is particularly difficult to manage in a large company. A blog would easily allow all employees to catch up on the corporation at any time.
Finally, http://www.corporateblogging.info from http://www.ask.com, makes the excellent point that blogging would contribute to the company’s results in search engines. Nearly everyone turns to a site like Google when they need help with something or are looking for information. It would be infinitely valuable for a corporation to be included in the search engines.
While the connotations regarding blogging today do not have much to do with top executives of major corporations, it could likely become a useful tool for businesses. Not only can blogs be used for communicating with customers and employees but also for improving business in general. These are only a few possible applications of corporate blogging. Weblogs have the potential to be a great resource for businesses.

]]> By: John Grisanti http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-992 John Grisanti Sun, 21 Jan 2007 22:52:04 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-992 <p>I think the blogs are very good thing for business. The customer can finally be heard and the employee as well. It should and hopefully will make interactions between companys every aspect of the operation run much more smooth. How can you reject the idea of feedback its what makes you popular. Sorry if i was late posting i didnt realize.</p> I think the blogs are very good thing for business. The customer can finally be heard and the employee as well. It should and hopefully will make interactions between companys every aspect of the operation run much more smooth. How can you reject the idea of feedback its what makes you popular. Sorry if i was late posting i didnt realize.

]]> By: Will Freriks http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-991 Will Freriks Sun, 21 Jan 2007 22:16:43 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-991 <p>I think that blogs can absolutely be a powerful tool for corporations and small businesses. They allow for corporations to openly communicate with their customers as well as employees. It is less formal and therefore enables a more open environment in which to communicate. Although I am personally not as up-to-date as I should be on blogging, I do realize that it can be a very powerful tool for corporations. For example, the president of marriot hotels even uses blogging as a means This shows that even the most business savvy people believe that blogging is an important and relevant tool that needs to be put to use. Feedback from customers is another reason why blogging can be useful for corporations. It allows for customers to express their feelings about the company. Another perk with blogging is it allows for employees to communicate with each other. This could be very useful if one employee needs another employee to pick up his or her shift or anything of that nature.</p> I think that blogs can absolutely be a powerful tool for corporations and small businesses. They allow for corporations to openly communicate with their customers as well as employees. It is less formal and therefore enables a more open environment in which to communicate. Although I am personally not as up-to-date as I should be on blogging, I do realize that it can be a very powerful tool for corporations. For example, the president of marriot hotels even uses blogging as a means This shows that even the most business savvy people believe that blogging is an important and relevant tool that needs to be put to use. Feedback from customers is another reason why blogging can be useful for corporations. It allows for customers to express their feelings about the company. Another perk with blogging is it allows for employees to communicate with each other. This could be very useful if one employee needs another employee to pick up his or her shift or anything of that nature.

]]> By: Dating Goddess http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-990 Dating Goddess Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:22:38 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-990 <p>I've found blogging the easiest way to establish expertise in a new focus area, dating advice for women over 40. I had no presence in this expertise before I started my blog last May. Now I've turned my blog into a book, which is being shopped at publishers now, created a loyal following of my daily posts, and garnered articles interviewing me in major newspapers, an appearance on a TV talk show, and an upcoming radio interview. I could have never done that without a blog to establish my credibility.</p> <p>Adventures in Dating After 40<br /> http://www.DatingGoddess.com</p> I’ve found blogging the easiest way to establish expertise in a new focus area, dating advice for women over 40. I had no presence in this expertise before I started my blog last May. Now I’ve turned my blog into a book, which is being shopped at publishers now, created a loyal following of my daily posts, and garnered articles interviewing me in major newspapers, an appearance on a TV talk show, and an upcoming radio interview. I could have never done that without a blog to establish my credibility.

Adventures in Dating After 40
http://www.DatingGoddess.com

]]> By: Weston Free http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-989 Weston Free Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:29:56 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-989 <p>I believe that blogs will not help businesses succeed because they take away credibility of a business. It makes companies seem more casual and laid back to the wrong people. An article on the website thepocketpart.com explains how blogs make it harder to recognize credible sources: "Unfortunately, the Internet in general, and blogs in particular, eviscerate and obscure expertise because the Internet’s most distinctive feature is the elimination of mediating boundaries: of distance, experience, education, and intelligence" (Brian Leiter). Blogs often make me skeptical of the other person's credibility. Another website called doctorvee.com said, "blogs are bad because they don't have editors". This is a very good point because if someone says something and it is on the internet, alot of people will believe it even if it is completely false. Another thing that can be dangerous about blogs is the fact that anyone can see them. If anyone posts something on a blog that wasn't meant for the public, their life or company could be in jeopardy. The website netalert.net explains what the possible dangers could be if you were to post a blog. In conclusion, I think blogs should not become widely used in businesses because I don't like people looking at my everyday life and I don't want to know what other people are doing day to day because to me it is irrelevant and it can only make me think less of them.</p> I believe that blogs will not help businesses succeed because they take away credibility of a business. It makes companies seem more casual and laid back to the wrong people. An article on the website thepocketpart.com explains how blogs make it harder to recognize credible sources: “Unfortunately, the Internet in general, and blogs in particular, eviscerate and obscure expertise because the Internet’s most distinctive feature is the elimination of mediating boundaries: of distance, experience, education, and intelligence” (Brian Leiter). Blogs often make me skeptical of the other person’s credibility. Another website called doctorvee.com said, “blogs are bad because they don’t have editors”. This is a very good point because if someone says something and it is on the internet, alot of people will believe it even if it is completely false. Another thing that can be dangerous about blogs is the fact that anyone can see them. If anyone posts something on a blog that wasn’t meant for the public, their life or company could be in jeopardy. The website netalert.net explains what the possible dangers could be if you were to post a blog. In conclusion, I think blogs should not become widely used in businesses because I don’t like people looking at my everyday life and I don’t want to know what other people are doing day to day because to me it is irrelevant and it can only make me think less of them.

]]> By: Danielle Walker http://goldencompass.com/blog/blogging-for-business-%e2%80%93-crazy-or-crazy-like-a-fox/comment-page-1/#comment-960 Danielle Walker Sat, 20 Jan 2007 20:30:46 +0000 http://goldencompass.com/blog/?p=61#comment-960 <p>Blogs can be a powerful tool for business corporations as well as small businesses for many reasons. Blogs are everywhere on the internet, used for many reasons, from personal journal writing to professional journalists, it is only natural that the business world would find a way to benefit from blogs as well. According to wikipedia.org, “bloggers can provide nearly-instant commentary…” This is beneficial as businesses can find out what competitors are doing. A blog can be a very strong communication tool within a corporate community by exploring original, thought provoking issues. Internal blogs are also good alternatives to meetings and are better than emails because blogs are more organized and people receive so many emails that they may disregard an important company email. Blogs can also be a powerful asset in PR. There are millions of people who read blogs, and many of these people can be consumers of a particular business. By posting many positive things on a company's blog, they can build their image. According to Darren Rowse on copyblogger.com, blogging is essential to business success and people can even use it as a source of income. Blogging does have its disadvantages though. According to an article about blogs on programcritique.com, blogs may be live and conversational but “people do get excited and instead of keeping the discussion on a logical plane, may end up arguing.” The article does go on to say, however, they give a business the chance to be heard and have many advantages. Overall I think that blogging can be a very powerful tool for any kind of business, as long as they use it the right way, have perfect grammar, and aren’t argumentative.</p> Blogs can be a powerful tool for business corporations as well as small businesses for many reasons. Blogs are everywhere on the internet, used for many reasons, from personal journal writing to professional journalists, it is only natural that the business world would find a way to benefit from blogs as well. According to wikipedia.org, “bloggers can provide nearly-instant commentary…” This is beneficial as businesses can find out what competitors are doing. A blog can be a very strong communication tool within a corporate community by exploring original, thought provoking issues. Internal blogs are also good alternatives to meetings and are better than emails because blogs are more organized and people receive so many emails that they may disregard an important company email. Blogs can also be a powerful asset in PR. There are millions of people who read blogs, and many of these people can be consumers of a particular business. By posting many positive things on a company’s blog, they can build their image. According to Darren Rowse on copyblogger.com, blogging is essential to business success and people can even use it as a source of income. Blogging does have its disadvantages though. According to an article about blogs on programcritique.com, blogs may be live and conversational but “people do get excited and instead of keeping the discussion on a logical plane, may end up arguing.” The article does go on to say, however, they give a business the chance to be heard and have many advantages. Overall I think that blogging can be a very powerful tool for any kind of business, as long as they use it the right way, have perfect grammar, and aren’t argumentative.

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