A Fool of Myself

I’m getting my lecture notes together for tomorrow night’s blogging class at OTC, and I’m wondering if I know blogging too well to teach it to the small business owners in my class. Add to that the fact the fact that I only have three hours to convince them that blogging is valuable, share with them some strategies for success, and get them started on their own blogs, and my brain is about to tap out.

Hear me out. I’m not saying that I am a blogging expert. I’m not saying that I have nothing more to learn about blogging ever again. And I’m not saying that I’m ill-equipped to teach this course. What I am saying is that I converted to blogging in 2006, which is a long time in the cyber-verse, and my reasons for blogging are not the same reason I’m preaching to my students tomorrow night. And truth be told, I feel a little silly that my burgeoning company has not put our blog online yet. (It is on our to-do list, but let’s wrap up July and the insanity that has ensued first.)

But I do know that blogging has value for my company. That’s why I have plans for it. That’s why I am tucking away little lessons as they cross my mind because I know that they’ll make good blog posts. I know how to blog. I know what makes a blog sink or swim. I’ve had a my share of blogging successes and failures. I get it. I just hope that I can convince my students tomorrow night. (And not scare them with my enthusiasm for blogging.)

Wish me luck!

I read a lot of blogs: local blogs, family blogs, friend blogs, professional blogs, fitness blogs. I could go on, but you get the picture. I’m of the opinion that there’s a place on the Web for everyone, and the blogosphere is a great place to start; specifically, here are ten people who need to have their own blogs:

1. Moms-to-be
2. Parents
3. Small-business owners
4. Missionaries
5. Students
6. Military service people
7. Ministers
8. Weight-losers
9. Freelance professionals
10. Reporters
    

Why these ten people? What’s the connection? Well, they have more in common than you think:

• Many of these people need to communicate with large groups of people (i.e. family, friends, customers, clients, etc.) at one time, and a blog allows them to communicate as often as necessary without filling up email in boxes.
• Many of these people have lives that are changing pretty regularly, and a blog lets them document and share those changes.
  
• Many of these people live away from their core support groups, and a blog lets them connect with their friends and family without being geographically close.

Are you on my list? Do you have a blog? If not, what’s stopping you? To get started, check out these Web sources:

• Five Questions for Would-Be Bloggers
• Blogging Tips for Beginners
• Technorati Help: Blogging 101
• Blogging Basics 101

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