Jeremy Wright's successful "antics" on Ebay, which resulted not only in his getting some great PR and a reasonably lucrative blogging job, but also the start of a new blogging consultancy, may become rightly regarded as a pioneer in helping to jumpstart a new industry, professional blogging.

Sometime ago I floated the idea of starting an Association of Professional Bloggers. Later, I melded into Wayne Hurlbert's idea of starting a Business Blogging Chamber of Commerce.

However, after seeing what Jeremy is doing and reading some of his stuff, I want to revisit my original idea. I see professional blogging as a burgeoning career path. In fact, I believe that is the label I want associated with my name. Paul Chaney, professional blogger!

Let me first define what I think that term means, then go on to talk about why I feel an association of some sort would be helpful.

Professional bloggers, imo, are those who a) consult with companies to help them see how business blogs can be used as effective tools for both internal and external communications, and/or b) who actually contract with or are employed by companies to blog.

Why do I feel an association is important? Because this industry is in its infancy, I believe its going to need some type of credentialing agency to give it greater credibility, and to increase visibility.

An agency such as this could provide not only information, education and training opportunities, but networking and jobs as well.

Yes, I know full well that bloggers are, by nature, lone wolves and "voices crying in the wilderness." But, I've always felt that collaboratively we can accomplish more than is possible working independently. An "Association of Professional Bloggers" would provide a platfrom for professional blogging to take a giant leap forward.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!