Why I Love Blogging!

A great way to educate, inform and receive invaluable feedback

As most of you know, when it comes to blogging, I fall into the neophyte category.  Yes, I’m a social media enthusiast — but the idea of starting a blog was somewhat challenging.  The interaction between the writer and the reader demands a greater sense of responsibility than a tweet, for example. With twitter, you’re definitely in the control tower; you monitor followers and can eliminate perceived “print paparazzi.”  Not so with a blog. You don’t know your followers.

Most students of social media credit Peter Meholz with coining the term “blog” way back in 1999 when he was writing what we then called a weblog, or a diary online.  Over the years, Peter has developed a significant following and as erudite as he is, I think he blogs about not just what’s on his mind, but he seems to know intuitively what’s on our minds.  Interestingly, last month he reported that his blog forecasting the failure of Starbucks’ 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea coffeehouse resulted in more feedback than anything else he’s written.  Hey wait a second — not the economy, not the environment, not a world flu epidemic.  Responsible branding was the attention grabber.

This is precisely why I am so enthusiastic about blogging.  It provides me with a “page” to comment, share, even vent — about what goes on in my very particular professional milieu — and all of you with the opportunity to comment, critique or question in an easy-response format.

That said, I am delighted to know that my recent blog, Introductions 101, prompted the following feedback:

“Just wanted to let you know that I am grateful to you for having invited me as a friend on Facebook.  I read your Blogs on an ongoing basis and I find some quite interesting and helpful.  The most recent, on introducing people, will come in quite handy for me.  As you know I like to socialize, and my work requires that I meet new people on a regular basis.  I just had the President of Bondfield Construction come up to Sudbury from Concorde to meet with me, and members of his organization fly in from Ottawa every second week for meetings.  Every project is a new group of people, from Developers, Architects, Engineers, Sub-Trades right down to Trades people and Labourers, and I always try to meet, greet, and treat people in a respectful and professional manner, regardless of their level of skills or profession.  Reading your Blogs helps to keep me aware and prepared.” Sincerely, John

Please let us know your thoughts; we’d love to hear from you, too!

Read more about what Peter Meholz has to say

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