Carl V. Natale is an avid fan of small business in Maine. He uses this blog to share useful advice and tips each day. And you can learn more by following @MaineBusiness on Twitter.
The Takeaway is featured in Alltop — all the top stories.
The Takeaway is featured in Alltop — all the top stories.
entry 414 of 461 < previous | next >
Start your own blog
Feb 27, 2008 07:02 AM
Categories: Advice, Accounting, Economy, Finance, Government at Work, Insurance, Human Resources, Internet, Management, Marketing, Sales, Starting a Business, Technology, Tools
It's not a bad job. You can do it from home and make your own hours. Supervision is minimal. And the pay is ... well it's.... Never mind.
But don't let that stop you. I won't.
In the past, prospective bloggers had to contact me and pitch their blog idea. We would talk about it and maybe get one started. As of yesterday, that changed.
MaineBusiness.com has a blog system that allows you to create a blog without approval or intervention from me. It's pretty simple. And I have some instructions if you have questions. That addresses the mechanics of blogging. But let me address some of the strategic issues.
Anyone can blog?
Anybody who has registered with MaineBusiness.com can blog. If you want to comment or start conversations, you also need to register.
How often do I have to blog?
This is up to you. It's your schedule so fit it in when you can.
What can I blog about?
Just about anything business related. You can blog about your business - like a journal of day-to-day activity. Or you can write about issues in your industry. Some of our featured bloggers have advice for business owners. For example, you can blog about advertising, technical problems, management, purchasing, record keeping, time management or sales. Or you can use the blog to express your views on issues important to the business community - taxes, environmental regulation, the economy, legislature or Maine's business climate.
What's a featured blogger?
These bloggers have been blogging consistently about issues and advice for MaineBusiness.com. They are committed to consistently providing content you can use in your business.
Can I be a featured blogger?
First, pick a topic area my featured bloggers aren't serving. For example, I don't have anyone who specializes in sales or accounting issues. Second, let's see what you got. Start a blog and keep it up. You may find out that this blogging thing isn't for you. But if you have the time and it's worth it to you to keep it up, then we can explore it.
What prevents a blog from becoming a free ad?
You. If you choose to blog about what happens in your business, the promotional value is obvious. If you do it in any interesting way that tells a story and gives the reader information about what it is like to run a business, your blog will gain loyalty. And your business will have a positive image. If you use the blog as an infomercial, readers will learn to avoid your blog. Your message won't go anywhere. If you present yourself as an expert in a field and conduct yourself professionally, you will enhance your reputation.
How should I write?
Be yourself. Write informally and conversationally. Write the blog like you are talking to a customer or client in your place of business without making it a sales pitch. You want that person to learn something and walk away with a positive image of you. You know they're going to tell their friends about their encounter.
What's the difference between a blog and a conversation?
The blogs are meant to be regular and focused. Conversations are for people who have something to say or ask. A conversation would be a good place to ask a question or seek business advice. I'm going to try to make sure these questions get answered.
If you want to know more, let me know. Asking questions in the conversations area is a good idea because more people will be able to see my response. And it might inspire more questions and suggestions.
But don't let that stop you. I won't.
In the past, prospective bloggers had to contact me and pitch their blog idea. We would talk about it and maybe get one started. As of yesterday, that changed.
MaineBusiness.com has a blog system that allows you to create a blog without approval or intervention from me. It's pretty simple. And I have some instructions if you have questions. That addresses the mechanics of blogging. But let me address some of the strategic issues.
Anyone can blog?
Anybody who has registered with MaineBusiness.com can blog. If you want to comment or start conversations, you also need to register.
How often do I have to blog?
This is up to you. It's your schedule so fit it in when you can.
What can I blog about?
Just about anything business related. You can blog about your business - like a journal of day-to-day activity. Or you can write about issues in your industry. Some of our featured bloggers have advice for business owners. For example, you can blog about advertising, technical problems, management, purchasing, record keeping, time management or sales. Or you can use the blog to express your views on issues important to the business community - taxes, environmental regulation, the economy, legislature or Maine's business climate.
What's a featured blogger?
These bloggers have been blogging consistently about issues and advice for MaineBusiness.com. They are committed to consistently providing content you can use in your business.
Can I be a featured blogger?
First, pick a topic area my featured bloggers aren't serving. For example, I don't have anyone who specializes in sales or accounting issues. Second, let's see what you got. Start a blog and keep it up. You may find out that this blogging thing isn't for you. But if you have the time and it's worth it to you to keep it up, then we can explore it.
What prevents a blog from becoming a free ad?
You. If you choose to blog about what happens in your business, the promotional value is obvious. If you do it in any interesting way that tells a story and gives the reader information about what it is like to run a business, your blog will gain loyalty. And your business will have a positive image. If you use the blog as an infomercial, readers will learn to avoid your blog. Your message won't go anywhere. If you present yourself as an expert in a field and conduct yourself professionally, you will enhance your reputation.
How should I write?
Be yourself. Write informally and conversationally. Write the blog like you are talking to a customer or client in your place of business without making it a sales pitch. You want that person to learn something and walk away with a positive image of you. You know they're going to tell their friends about their encounter.
What's the difference between a blog and a conversation?
The blogs are meant to be regular and focused. Conversations are for people who have something to say or ask. A conversation would be a good place to ask a question or seek business advice. I'm going to try to make sure these questions get answered.
If you want to know more, let me know. Asking questions in the conversations area is a good idea because more people will be able to see my response. And it might inspire more questions and suggestions.
Rich says,
Carl,
Is it true that bloggers are more popular with the ladies? (Or the gentlemen?) I've also read online that bloggers can see through walls, turn invisible and fly. True?
Feb 27, 2008 10:44 AM
Duke of URL says,
Yes. Until you blog about them. So love your blog but don't blog your love.
Feb 27, 2008 02:27 PM
Ladies
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