Website Words that Work!

Some of the best blogs — so they say — are online coffee shops. So, leave it to coffee shops to come up with some excellent retail store blogs. Here’s one I came across, from Wisconsin, where I suspect they appreciate a good cup of steamin’ hot coffee when they come in out of the cold to get one.

What I like about the site is its use of blogging to both market its events and to create a cozy, family feeling. Exactly what we seek in our coffee shops. I’d stop in at one of these coffee spots; they sound like they know what they’re talking about, and besides, they’re a cheerful group. I like ‘em. Now, that’s a good blog!

Yours, Judith

Tags: Blogging, How to blog, Small business blogging by Judith
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I’m always on the lookout for great business blogs — ones that demonstrate the possibilities of blogging for a business. And I do see tremendous possibilities for small business marketing via blogs. Beyond just getting to know you, and that in itself is a huge blog benefit, customers and clients can begin to count on you for expert information. Or just the inside scoop. So, I trolled the Web a bit, seeking great business blogs.

I’m looking for those written by owners of retail shops, service businesses (plumbers, carpenters), professional firms (attorneys, physicians, consultants), and businesses I have not thought of. Maybe a hair salon, for instance, or an organic farmer. But I’m looking for those written not about the business of blogging but by the businesses themselves. Good ones.

I found this one, Cork Cellars, and it’s a friendly one and I found myself liking the proprietors, though there is a huge gap of non-blogging in there. But if I were near that Cork Cellars wine shop, I’d have a feed on that blog just to know what’s new and available too at my nearby store. Nothing beats a fine “Cab” on a cold winter’s eve. But back to the business at hand: blogging for business.

I’m still trolling, hoping to find terrific examples of small businesses — managers and owners – blogging successfully, preferable somewhat regularly, as well. They’re not as easy to find as I thought they’d be.

yours, Judith

Tags: Small Business, Small business blogging by Judith
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The never-ending need for content on your blogging site will catch up with you, so “they” say. And here’s proof that “they” are right: it will. Or, at least, it did for me. I’ve been off in the last couple of weeks writing magazine articles, setting up a couple of Websites for small businesses, and a workshop on blogging.

But what have I NOT done? I haven’t blogged.So that’s how easy it is for blogging to get thrown by the wayside. Business interferes. Life intervenes. Mea culpa. I allowed it. But what to do about such things if you are setting up a blog yourself? (And you know that when you set up a blog, you set up expectations in your client base.) Excellent question. From my experience here on the Harlan Editorial business blog, I’d say,

• Make blogging a priority.

• Put it on the Calendar — Make time for it.

• Keep a notebook handy for flashes of insight to include.

• Don’t just read other blogs, drop in formally and share your thoughts.

 (Now, if I can just listenn to my own advice and remember to do some of this stuff myself, you’ll see me back in a mere day or two or three.)

 Back online, Judith

Tags: Business blogs, How to blog, Online Content, Small business blogging by Judith
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I just signed up for the upcoming global teleseminar, and in my books this is a Do-Not-Miss opportunity, a chance to tune in on leading marketing and career gurus  – all free — and it’s coming up fast: Nov. 8. . 

What am I talking about? If you’re asking then you have not yet heard: there’s an all-day global teleseminar on Nov.8; it’s sponsored by A Brand You World, and features marketing leaders such as David Meerman Scott (New Rules of Marketing & PR; See what he says about the event on his site), also Richard Nelson Bolles (What Color is Your Parachute), John Jantsch (Duct Tape Marketing), and, as they say at the carnival, So Much More! Come one, come all!

This is one of those free and valuable Web events. I’ll be there. Check it out. I’m betting there’s something there for all small business owners on marketing in this new Web world.

Tags: Free Advice, Marketing Blogs, Small Business, Small business blogging by Judith
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