The Blogging Journey Begins

The Blogging Journey Begins

You’ve made the decision to start a Blog. But what are your next steps? I have always tried to start a project with the answer to this question:”What do I want it to look like when I’m done?” Make a list of the following answers and you will be off to a good start.
• Goals you want to accomplish with your blog,
• Impression(s) you wish to make,
• Style(s) you will use, and
• Content you want to share or acquire.
Answer these questions and at each decision point along the way simply look at your list and the answers will help you make your decisions.

First Impressions Are Important
In my first blog I linked you to a website which can get you started www.blogger.com. This website can have your new blog up and running very quickly. Blogger walks you through step-by-step instructions on the Blog Name; Template, Font style and size, Color palette, gadgets, and much more. Make your choices, preview your blog and change or edit until you’re satisfied. Never fear these decisions are not in concrete; as easy as it was to make, it is just as easy to change later on. Now that you have the blog skeleton, now it’s time to add some flesh to those blog bones.

The Style of Your Blog
Your writing Style will be a defining aspect of your blog. Your blog’s style is you, how you communicate, your blog voice but in a written format. Your style shares with your readers and fellow bloggers, who you are and what issues you find important. Do you have a sense of humor, like analogies, enjoy YouTube videos, or are you more serious and professional. Like all new authors, it may take you awhile to find yourself and your “blog voice” but soon enough your personality will shine through.

Style also includes how you will present your information. Will you use a totally written format? Will paragraphs or bullets be the method that you share your thoughts? Maybe you will be more creative and include pictures, clip art, videos, or links to other sites which can help to make your blog enjoyable. Only trial and error will help you to develop your blogging style. Keep in mind that your style is just that, Your Style. Allow yourself to try new things and give your creative left brain some freedom.

The Blog Content
Now that you have decided your blog’s look and style it’s time to decide what you want your blog to say. This is the meat on that blog skeleton. Develop your discussion points and begin. Start with your business. What information do you want to share, what do you want to learn, do you want to blog about general business topics or do you want to focus on your specific industry? Maybe you would rather discuss how governmental laws, federal, state, or local, are impacting your business. Pick a topic on which you care about and share those feelings. Give your blogging audience something to think about, or ask their opinions of your topic. A website that can assist you in the content portion of your blog is: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/12/30/tens-tips-for-writing-a-blog-post/
A Final Thought…..
Now that you have your blog up and running don’t forget to share the URL with colleagues, your customer base, and/or anyone that you think would be interested. Then sit back and wait for your fellow bloggers to respond.
Watch for future “To Business Blog or Not to Business Blog” helpful hints.

Getting Started To Blog

Do you Blog?
Have you Blogged?
Do you know what Blogging is?
Would a Blog be good tool to use for your business?

These and many other questions will be addressed in this blog “To Business Blog or Not To Business Blog”. TBBoNTBB will be available to those who have questions and/or concerns about business blogs and blogging. During the next few weeks I will attempt to provide answers to these and other business blogging questions. I’ll start this new blog by discussing three areas. First what are blogs? Second what business blogging benefits? And third what should I avoid in my business blog?

So what is a Blog? A blog is:
* an online journal,
* a type of website for either a personal or business use,
* a source for people, like you and me, to voice our opinions on topics of importance to us, and
* a web log >weblog>we blog>blog

A Blog is simply a venue for us to share knowledge and opinions with other people who share similar interests or have similar issues. Blogging is the new networking. Instead of having lunch or drinks with colleagues, you can blog and network with people from all over the United States and/or the world. If you have information or questions on a particular topic, start a blog and invite others with like interests or suggestions to add their knowledge to your blog. A Blog is a 21st century version of synergism in action. One and one can equal three in a blog. If you would like to start a blog of your own, a link which can get you started very quickly is: www.blogger.com.

Will Blogging Benefit my Business?
As every business owner knows, knowledge is golden. But which business owner has all of the answers? Clearly, if you are a seasoned business veteran, you have knowledge and that knowledge could be critical to other business owners, whether they are in your industry or not. If you are a new business owner you are always on the alert to find someone who can answer those pesky questions and problems which pop up on a daily basis. If blogging could help find which part is needed for a broken machine, or a vendor who sells the part, or someone who has the exact spare part you need; instead of being down for a week, you might be able to be back up and running in a few hours. Time is money and customers sometimes don’t like to hear that you can’t provide your product because the machinery is down. That’s a good way to lose a customer.
On the other hand a veteran business owner may not be as computer savvy as a newer owner. The veteran may need information on business software programs, security systems and how “Blogs” can be set up and how such information can be of benefit to him and a newer owner may be just the right person to assist him.

What should I avoid in my Business Blog?
A business blog is no different than your business. Maintain a positive attitude, be ethical, don’t share private financial information and don’t talk against your competitors or employees. Remember the blog in on the web and anyone who searches a topic may happen upon your blog. You wouldn’t want to be bad-mouthing your competitor or even an employee and have them read such comments; you could get yourself into a very difficult situation, even a legal suit. A helpful blog for this topic is: www.tonyadam.com.
Watch for future “To Business Blog or Not to Business Blog” helpful hints