Blogging is One Influential Monster

Thinking about getting into blogging? Well it’s time to seriously think about a blog for your businesses. I think we all have thought about blogging and have entertained the thought. One of the biggest concerns is finding the time to blog. I still believe there is a large percentage of people who do not take the Internet seriously. They use it to Google topics, browse some online shops, and maybe check their email once a week.

But what are these people missing? I hate to say it.. but a revolution. And they will miss it if they don’t pay attention. It’s a new world, probably as big as the discovery of America. Instead of boarding ships and spending months at sea, you can discover the New World in the comforts of your own home. Forget scurvy and starvation. Forget the sea sickness. You need a rest… then walk away.

So what am I getting at exactly? Businesses have an opportunity in this New World. What is that vehicle? The vehicle to market and promote your business comes in the form of a blog. Blogging is so big that the Presidential Candidates are forming blogs. Senators are forming blogs. And Maine’s Tourism Industry is using blogs. Innkeepers, restaurant owners, the lodging industry, amusement parks, and tourist areas are using blogs to promote their businesses.

Lately I’m seeing a lot more innkeepers blogging, which I think is a great way to both increase one’s search engine visibility and to promote local businesses such as restaurants and shops. By blogging, innkeepers are doing over the Internet what they’ve been doing in person for so long: making their guests feel welcome and helping them get the most out of their stay.

It’s time to get serious about blogging. Toss out the stereotypes regarding school age girls meeting on blogs or posting about who they have a crush on. There is blogging and then there is “Pro Blogging”. Businesses can reach new clients, enhance the experience of current clients, and provide unlimited resources. The world is connecting on the Internet and don’t miss out on the opportunity. Most small businesses are sitting on Internet real estate with a website of theirs, it is now time to increase it’s value. The best way to increase your online real estate is through a blog. Endless amounts of knowledge can be added each day which is categorized nicely for your readers.

Blogs are used not only for business purposes, but it is used to slingshot your own career as an authority figure. Lance Dutson, a new Skinny Moose Media blogger at Maine Web Report has been blogging for quite some time. It started in as a hobby and over time had been credentialed through the Media Bloggers Association to attend the ‘Scooter’ Libby Trial as a viable media source. He is now the Internet Marketing Director for the Susan Collins re-election campaign for U.S. Senator. Susan Collins will soon have a blog on her site to help reach out to followers. We can learn more about Susan Collins, more about the campaign, and with this we can actually have constant commentary.

The Portland Press Herald is even beginning to really acknowledge the power of blogs in a recent article… which, in fact, mentions Lance Dutson, titled Constant Commentary. (Hat Tip: MWR)

People like Lance Dutson, of MaineWebReport.com, have made a name for citizen journalists. Dutson was critical of the state Office of Tourism’s marketing campaign and the performance of former director Dann Lewis, gaining headlines in traditional media. And earlier this year, Dutson was one of a small group of bloggers given credentials to cover the trial of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney.

But not only are the bloggers being recognized but it also means the rules of story telling are changing… Jason Clarke, also a member of the Media Bloggers Association shares his thoughts in the article…

An author and Web developer, Clarke got his start back in college when he began experimenting with sites like Geocities, which allows users to create their own Web page. As a developer for RainStorm Consulting, he is constantly keeping up to date on new developments in technology and media.

In his time away from work he prepares posts to the site that will be released during the week. Clarke, who is also a member of the Media Bloggers Association, a nonpartisan advocacy group for bloggers and citizen journalists, said blogs allow for a more comprehensive telling of stories, with embedded video and audio.

It also means changing the rules of storytelling, he said.

“Traditional journalism has eschewed a transparent point of view in favor of objective narration,” he said. “But some journalism originating from the Internet takes the opposite tack and infuses the narrative of the story with a distinct point of view, which often lends drama and passion.”

With a new form of communication and reaching potential clients and mass amounts of readership with no geographic barriers I strongly recommend blogging to small businesses. Where Skinny Moose Media is primarily a hunting, fishing, and outdoor blog network I would suggest that guide services, people in the travel and lodging industry begin dialog in the form of blogs. Kristine Shreve promotes her Gunslinger product through blogging at her Hunt Smart, Think Safety blog. It’s all about “networking”. What people normally do in the every day world can be done right here online. It’s a new world, a new avenue, a new vehicle, and most importantly a new opportunity for both people and businesses alike.

Need help getting started? Feel free to contact me at steve@skinnymoose.com