Blogs and Networking

In the middle 1990's everyone started talking about needing a website. Now, the new "must have" is a web log or blog. While blogs can come in all shapes and sizes, a blog is just a very simple way to publish a journal, record of events, thoughts, ideas or whatever the author wants to write about. A blog sits on a website ? whether that site is run by you or managed by a company that will "host" your blog.

Blogs started coming into the general public's awareness with a large number of political blogs written during the 2004 U.S. Presidential election campaign. Because of this, you may think blogging is part journalism and part political commentary, and therefore not of interest to you or the advancement of your business.

Blogs can be journalism. They can be political commentary. They can be personal diaries or journals. They can also be way for you to show your uniqueness and build a conversation around your business and professional interests. That is how I use mine.

Technically Speaking

Because blogs are designed to be easily updated and are already on a website (don't worry you don't need to know ANYTHING about websites or web design to start one), you may find a blog could replace or supplement an email newsletter. They are easier to do, easier to update, and you don't have to worry about emails getting delivered!

If you already have a website, adding a blog can help you get more visitors who are interested in you because you will be writing about your area of expertise. And since the search engines love websites that are tightly focused and updated often, your site can move up quickly in the search rankings.

There are plenty of places to learn much more about the technical aspects of blogs and blogging. Just do your own search on Google (or your favorite search engine) to get the latest information.

How You Can Benefit

Let's say you are an insurance agent. You have expertise in life insurance and a specific set of benefits you bring to your Clients. A blog gives you a platform to talk about the latest ideas related to life insurance and life planning. You can give Clients (and potential Clients) tips and checklists. You can give them new ideas. You can relate the latest news to your products and services. The ideas are endless; these are just meant to be a start.

Of course, if you aren't in life insurance you change the topics ? but the premise and the benefits remain the same. While there are many, here are three specific benefits you will find:

Getting to know you. The blog becomes a part of how you brand yourself. If people read it, they should feel like they are getting to know you and getting to know what your beliefs and values are. Imagine your best referral sources sending potential referrals to your blog as a way to help them get to know you deeper, faster. In this way your blog can be leverage ? people are even more qualified if they call you or may already "know" you when you they make the referral call.

Making it easier. Have Clients that love you but have trouble knowing what to say about you? Encourage them to send their friends and colleagues to your blog as a way to make the connection. That way they don't have to feel like they have to say the perfect words about your business in order to give the referral.

Keeps you "on top" of your game. By writing about your work and the benefits of your products and services often, you will stay current and fresh. This will help in all phases of your business, but it will also help you in networking situations by giving you something fresh and new to talk about when having conversations with possible Clients and new referrals. It also gives you new ideas to share with potential Clients as you build your relationship with them.

How It Has Helped Me

I started blogging in March of 2004. I have certainly gained the benefits described above. Beyond those, I have made new connections with potential colleagues and collaborators who have found my blog and sent me comments, feedback or questions.

By writing regularly (my goal is 4 entries or "posts" per week), seldom does a week go by that I don't add someone to my network or use what I am writing to make a new connection with an existing or potential Client.

How to Get Started

Lots more can be said about blogging and how it might help you build your network, but this should give you some initial ideas. Hopefully after reading this you are intrigued by the possibilities and would like to learn more.

Here are the first four things I recommend that you do:

1. Start reading some blogs. Do a search in Google for blogs. If you are a chiropractor, search on chiropractic blogs. If you are a graphic designer, search on graphic design blogs. You get the idea. Read what others are doing and writing about. Email them and build your network with these people. Chances are they aren't your competitors and they might be very willing to help you and perhaps even collaborate with you.

2. Learn About RSS. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is one way to "publish" your blog to the world. There are many free RSS readers that you can use to keep track of the blogs you are starting to read. Pick one (there are many) by searching for "Free RSS Reader" in your favorite search engine.

3. Read Debbie Weil. Debbie is an expert on blogging for business and she will be a good connection for you.

4. Start one! You can (and will want to) build a strategy and a plan later, but if you see value for you, jump in! Go to http://blogger.com (what I use) and get started in less than five minutes for free.

ŠKevin Eikenberry 2005. Kevin is Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. To read his blog go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/index.asp or contact him directly at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


3 Reasons To Publish An E-Newsletter AND A Blog

With spam filters on high alert, delivering a newsletter by... Read More

Blogging on Ecademy Will Boost Your Web Site

For many people blogging is the way in which they... Read More

Use These 7 Ideas and You Will Never Suffer From Blog Block Again Guaranteed!

Is this you? It has been 3 or 4 days... Read More

Blogs: A Fool Proof Way to Attract Visitors

Blogs might seem like an old hat at this time... Read More

Blogs And Your Work From Home Internet Business

As a work from home internet business entrepreneur you have... Read More

Superbloggers Secrets

Blogs are extremely hot right now. Everyone is starting them,... Read More

Blogs As A Marketing Tool

Blogs are the biggest things to happen to the Internet... Read More

Marketing With Blogs - Part 4

In the first three parts of this article series on... Read More

Gathered Statistical Data Announces that Blogs will Dominate the Internet in Less than a Few Years

... if not months to come.At a distinctive and stable... Read More

Why Wordpress is now my Blog of Choice

The more I use Wordpress, the more I love it.... Read More

Five Ways A Blog Helps You To Market Your Business

Want to advertise online without spending a fortune? Get a... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Get People Online to Read Your Business Blog

There are many advantages of running a blog, on top... Read More

Blogging - Whats It All About

A blog usually is a web page that contains brief,... Read More

6 Ways That Blogging Can Save You Money

Even though I've had several personal blogs for years, I've... Read More

RSS Directory Submission: The Key to Blog Promotion

According to Technorati, there are over 15 million blogs as... Read More

Do You Know The 3 Key Ways to Blog to Promote Your Online Home Based Business?

Most People who Blog and Ping only use 1 Method... Read More

RSS Meets the Needs of Direct Marketers

Contrary to general opinion, RSS meets the needs of even... Read More

Small Business: To Blog or Not To Blog

A weblog, or "blog" started out as a personal journal... Read More

How to Promote Your Blog for Free Online

11 Ways to Promote Your Blog1. Ping weblogs.com and other... Read More

What Is This RSS, XML, RDF, and Atom Business?

It's been a long day at work and you're... Read More

Blogging Policies, Does Your Business Need One?

Weblogs or Blogs as they are more commonly referred to,... Read More

How to Use a Blog to Dramatically Improve Your Web Business!

A blog is an online journal in which the author... Read More

Find Out How Microsofts Plans Could Make Your Subscribers Beg You for RSS Content!

Microsoft recently announced that they will be releasing a new... Read More

How To Build Traffic To Your Blog

With the growing interest in blogging as... Read More

RSS Publishing for Webmasters

Since the recent rise in interest in RSS there has... Read More

What Are RSS Feeds

RSS Feeds.RSS also known as rich site summary or real... Read More

What is a Blog?

Q: Not to ask a ridiculously obvious question, but what... Read More

Do Marketers Really Need RSS?

The recent Forrester Research study, which claims that only 2%... Read More

Blog Your Affiliate Links

Blogging is a relatively new form of communication, closely related... Read More

3 Ways to Publish RSS

As RSS news syndication gains popularity among users, new ways... Read More

RSS Works: Hard Metrics to Prove It

Marketers are constantly asking if RSS marketing works and if... Read More

Blogs are an Art Form that Takes Practice to do Well

Writing?Blogs?Blogs are on-line journals where people express themselves through writing.... Read More

Is Blogging For You? Take This Quick Quiz

What The Hell Is A Blog Anyway?The word 'blog' is... Read More