Just got back from attending the November Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association meeting on business blogging. Not only did I get the opportunity to meet my newest blogging buddy Toby Bloomberg, but got to network with Blogads Henry Copeland and Worthwhile Magazine's Anita Sharp, among others. (Toby was the perfect host, I might add.)

Coming from a small town where little is known about blogging, I anticipated the Atlanta interactive marketing community to be much more adept in both their understanding and use of blogs for marketing and business purposes. Boy, was I ever surprised!

There seems to be a rising tide of interest, but little understanding of how to apply blogs in a business setting.

It reminds me of a story I once heard about a shoe company that sent a salesman to an island in the south Pacific to open a new territory for their line of shoes. The first guy they sent came back with a negative report, "We can't sell shoes there. Everyone goes barefoot."

They sent a second salesman who came back with a huge order and glowing report. He said, "Send me 500 pair. We can make a fortune. Everyone here is barefoot!"

I guess it's a matter of perspective. Similarly, if few companies in Atlanta are using blogs in their marketing communications efforts, one might surmise there is no need to promote their use.

NOT!

Adopting the positive attitude of the second salesman, I have challenged Toby to partner with me in taking over Atlanta with business blogs! If not us, then who, right?

In other news I plan to interview Henry shortly for a post on Blogads, particularly how small businesses that blog can make use of them, along with any other thoughts he may have on the subject of blogs for business.

I'll have another post or two coming as a result of my time in Atlanta. Stay tuned.