Here are a couple of PDFs that would be good to download.

The first is a free guide called Writing for the Web - In Technicolor, published by BusinessLogs.com. It is a primer for blog writing.

The other is a Corporate Blogging Primer that covers the following:

• Corporate Blog - A Definition
• The Nature of Blogs
• Reasons for Corporate Blogging
• Six Types of Corporate Blogs
• 14 Steps to Your Business Blog
• What Corporate Bloggers Say

It's published by Fredrik Wackå, of the Corporate Blogging blog.

Both resources are free and well-worth your time.

There have been many, many definitions posited for what a blog is. But, what is a "business blog?" What separates it from its more personal online journal/diary cousin? I contend there is a salient difference and wish to proffer my own definition.

Click to read more ...

Is blogging just an overblown fad or a revolutionary new medium you can't afford to ignore?

B.L. Ochman, noted Internet strategist, PR guru and influential blogger gives you straight talk about blogging. She gives you scores of examples of successful business blogs, advice on what to blog about and why, plus dozens of resources you can use immediately.

I'm going to be the guest at a teleconference tomorrow night hosted by Andy Wibbels of Coachamatic.com. Andy is a blogging evangelist and trainer for entrepreneurs. He hosts these teleconferences on a weekly basis.

Here's a couple of internet marketing tools for your consideration.

• Instant Press Release 1.0
  John Jantsch has written a small piece of software that allows users to create attention getting, perfectly formatted press releases (his words) by simply filling in a few blanks and answering a few guided questions. John is giving the program away in hopes that every small business and non-profit can learn to write a powerful press release and better understand the use of PR in the marketing puzzle. (Again, his words) But, I like it! (My words) In lieu of payment, you may donate something to the Ronald McDonald House Childrens' Charity if you wish.



• InstantVideoGenerator.com
  Here's a tool that will add instant video to your website without expensive equipment or technical know-how.

All this talk about a business blogging chamber of commerce spurred further thinking. While I do agree with Wayne Hurlbert's assertion that a chamber of commerce is needed, I think what is needed even moreso is an association consisting of professionals who promote the "industry" of business blogging. I assert we need a collective platform from which to promote this new form of self-publishing. So, I've decided to start it!

I'm calling it the Association of Business Blogging Professionals, and membership is open to anyone whose job involves working with corporations and/or small business to help them incorporate blog technology into their business communications.

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I could have used a more functional title I suppose like "Be Careful With Whom You Form Alliances," but I do have a story about a rattlesnake I want to tell. Please, read on.

I have client for whom I am developing a website. She is a small business owner who runs a hair salon and modeling agency. She is also a single mom whose husband died a few years ago in an automobile accident. She has faced, survived and overcome insurmountable struggles, not only in her personal life, but in her professional life as well. She is not deserving of pity, but of admiration and respect. I have the highest of both for her.

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"God of the Blogosphere, please bless Bob Bly. He didn't really mean to offend you. He just didn't know of which he spoke. He has served penance enough at our hands."

That's my "prayer" for Bob today, based on the article in DM News he wrote yesterday. He has been roundly trounced by bloggers ever since. I know, I was one of the trouncers! (But not in a mean-spirited sort of way!)

I feel a need to give some background to this story. Several weeks ago I emailed Bob to ask why he wasn't blogging. I felt he was a prime candidate to use the medium. He told me he didn't see the point really. In his defense, he did suggest that he needed to learn more about blogging. (And, boy, has he gotten an education in the past two days!)

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Business Blog Consulting's Rick Bruner wrote an extensive post in response to Bob Bly's article in DM News dismissing business blogs as superfluous. While I don't share Rick's vitriol, I do feel he has something substantive to say.

I do take some exception with Rick regarding the tone of his post. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. According to one blogger who communicated with Bly via email, after getting feedback from several bloggers, he is considering giving blogging a try. I'm afraid Rick's rant will only serve to calcify Bob's previously held opinion.

The only reason this means so much to me is that I'm quoted in his article, so I feel I have a stake in the game.

Ultimately, it is good that this conversation take place. If blogging is going to be once-and-for-all embraced by the business community, there needs to be a clear understanding of what it is and how it can help achieve the ROI that Bob suggested was missing via its use.

Yesterday I conversed with Lipsticking's Yvonne Divita regarding an idea I had for creating an association of professional business bloggers, or something to that effect. A group that could promote the craft of business blogging to corporate America and small business alike.

She referenced a recent post by Wayne Hurlbert on the need for a business blog "chamber of commerce." I read the post and I LIKE IT!

Waynes suggests that the purpose of the Blog Chamber of Commerce would be to "help organize business, marketing, public relations, economics, human resources, employment, and other related blogs into a mutual assistance and promotional organization." Sounds like a plan to me! Let's be sure small businesses are included in the mix.

There are many voices evangelizing the benefits of business blogs. Singularly, we can each have some effect. Together, our effect can be exponential. In my opinion, something like this is not only badly needed, but very timely. If we are to push business blogs once and for all into the mainstream, we need to do it with a concerted effort.

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Cowboys featuring the iconoclastic legend John Wayne. My favorite line from that movie is where Wayne's character Wil Anderson says "Come on, boys. We're buring daylight!"

Well boy and girls, "we're buring daylight!" Who is going to get the ball rolling on this? Wayne, it was your idea. You want to start it? Yvonne, what about you? Debbie, BL, Rick, what say you? Anyone else want to chime in? Please feel free. As for me, I'm willing to do whatever is needed to get it going.