March 7th, 2007
Blogging, Opportunity for Black Business Owners
I started blogging in October of last year. I met with a business man about blogging and read a couple of books prior to throwing my hat in to the ring.Just think 10 years some of the top companies in the world did not have web sites. I recall in 1998, when I was VP of world wide marketing for Abbott Diagnostics, we had a major initiaitive to have a web presence for our division, which had sales over 3 billion dollars. This was a company known for developing remarkable medical technology and was a innovation leader in our market segment. We were not alone, many companies at the time had either no or pitiful web presence.
Today, even a small business is expected to have a good investment in their web page. Many regular people have web pages and young people are showing us how to build communities on line. As the milenium generation becomes consumers and business people, we will have to change how we do business. I have noticed many companies are experimenting with text messaging. The world is changing.
Having a web page that never changes, and slow responses to customer’s questions or concerns will not be tolerated. All business owners and key people should blog. We have learned that most black businesses are small. As black business owners we have the opportunity to be at the fore front of the future of business communication. We have a chance to show innovation and leadership to our customers.
I know for sure you can build community and make friends with your cilents. As a salesman, I always felt better when my customers where friends. It was a win win, I wanted to ensure my friends looked good by picking me. It became easy to have discussions because we enjoyed each other’s company.My friends would provide me the benefit of doubt at times when our products did not work well or something screwed upped.
It is all about relationships and having trust and respect for each other. Good blogging can help in that regard. as I mentioned, my blog started in late October, I had no idea what to do. I joined My Blog Log and my community has grown to close to 170 members. Chris Cree is one of the members and a early supporter. Chris’ blog, SucessCreeations is one of the top blogs in the world. Please check out his link for a proff source indicating how well blogging can work for your company.
March 7th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
“one of the top blogs in the world.” Imagine me with the likes of Engadget and Techcrunch!
OK. So that may be a ways off yet. Just the same I’m pretty much speechless at your incredibly kind words. Thanks, Jim!
March 7th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Chris, there are 65,000,000 blogs in the world and you are in the top 20000, pretty darn good. Keep up the good work
March 7th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Yeah Jim, you’re right about those static web pages and non-responsive bloggers.
This blogging takes time but it’s so much fun and can really earn us money!
Take care,
Paula
March 7th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
>”Having a web page that never changes, and slow responses to customer’s questions or concerns will not be tolerated”
Great line, Jim! And you’re so right. Small business owners can really be leaders (and should be) in responding to customers and engaging in the conversation with prospects all around the globe.
Paula makes a good point about the time investment, but what a great way to do business - by investing time into your customer base.
Stay contagious (and I agree with your thoughts about Chris - World Class!!:-))
March 7th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Paula, you are another of the world’s great ones. I encourage all of my readers to check you out. I think you are in the top 10,000!
March 7th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Mike, it will be hard to find better advice on blogging than from you. Any one starting a blog should click on,conversations in my blog roll.Mike is a tremendous coach
March 8th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Internet is the most effective upcoming media that most business person can reap for their benefit. Others many can find great opportunities here and build great business models.
While blogging is becoming the most effective tool to get connected with the best prospects you could find over in Internet, it can be a great way for self branding and creating self reputation.
Blogging is an ART and I would suggest that all business persons looking for best results should outsource their blog’s to experts in blogging. This could be the best way to make money for bloggers except generating ad revenues from their blogs.
Best Divya.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Divya, thanks for your comment,Blogging to Fame gives the blogger community great insight and advice. I am very impressed by your business savvy, and love the comment.Readers click on blogging to fame on my blog role to get more of Divya keen insights.She is another of the world’s great bloggers.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hey Jim,
Beautiful people are doing wonderful work online with Blogs
and really it is the Upgrade in the Communication process for
the marvelous mind of a blessed mankind.
Unity of the Spirit is coming and righteousness and praise
will spring up before all nations. Jim, just imagine how
beautiful the land is when everyone has realized grace and
truth in Jesus Christ. The Mind of Christ is the very
Mystery of Our Lord God Almighty. Yet eyes have not seen nor
have ears heard, what Our God has in store for the beloved.
All wisdom and knowledge is in His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord
the righteous.Be Blessed always! A daughter of Zion, Blogging
FaithWorks…Keep on Blogging, Let Him run that reads it and
has ears to hear, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by
the word of Christ. Amen.
Because Love compels me, I love You all…Jim
In His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord
March 9th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Clients want interaction these days and good site which includes a blog or live chat will make or break us! You are absolutely on the money James!
March 9th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Jim, you are committed to spreading the word. In business via blogs we need to be as committed as you are to spreading the message of value. If we represent something we believe in, it is easy to spread the word.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Tisha, Your comment is what it is all about. Easy interaction and frequent touches will allow for better understanding in both directions.
March 10th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Jim, you have a great gift for building the kind of community that find people inspired to move forward. That’s where you are so right - the blogging community can make a difference to business. I love the way you look past problems to find and try out great solutions! Your blog lifts up the stuff to run after! Thanks for these timely suggestions!
March 11th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Ellen, you are too kind but thanks for the note.I hope many small business people use this great communication tool to build community.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
The Internet has opened the doors for small black businesses to compete with the big boys. I think it’s great and feel everyone should have a website, for personal and business use.
Blogging while very popular is still new to a lot of people. Thanks for being an example to others on how to do it the right way. Hopefully more people will become interested in blogging and get on board.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Theo, you are way ahead of me in terms of your use of the internet. The more of us spreading the word the more people will gain. Thanks for the comment