Excuse this little aside first…
Just re-read my entry on that less-than-perfect portable computer table. I’m using the thing–though only for short periods of time because of the height–but, man, it sure is better than what I was doing before. But I was struck upon reading my rant. Seemed like perhaps the only thing that makes a writer a writer is that he or she is willing to take the time and make the effort to translate stuff–the “stuff” we all have going on in our heads–into words on paper. And then sit around and hope someone enjoys reading it…
And last night I got a massage and discovered the damage I’m doing to my shoulders by reaching and raising my arms to type for even the one or two hours a day I’ve done in the last week. Very painful. Gotta find a way to lower that table…
Anyway, the business at hand today is an article by David Pogue sent out by email from the NYTimes online. Pogue interviewed Joe Trippi, Howard Dean’s campaign manager, about how they’ve been using modern technology (including Meetup and blogs) to run the race. With the numbers of people “meeting up” skyrocketing from 400 to 200,000 in a relatively short time, he calls this “just the beginning of real empowerment of people.” He believes that the Internet is the instrument that will change the perceptions of many Americans that one person can’t make a difference.
Now can you think of a more powerful testament to the power of blogging? Your voice, on issues important to everyone interested in your type of business, delivered in a personal way and made available instantly, no charge, sharing the knowledge and experience you’ve gained from your many years in business… Even if you’re a kid and haven’t been around long, sharing your enthusiasm as you learn can be extremely attractive to others. Don’t we all love to peer into the minds (and lives) of other people? People Magazine is one of the most popular publications in the world–last stats I could find on the web (March, 2000) show it Number 11 at three and a half million (Number 1 was Readers’ Digest at twelve and a half–and what does Readers’ Digest feature? Personal stories about people).
We’re bombarded with information. It’s just too much, no matter how quick a reader you are. If we can find someone who will “talk” to us in a friendly but knowledgeable way about the things we care about, we’re likely to be delighted–and stick with that person as a source for filtering the overwhelming amount of information out there.
A blog is the voice by which you attract the right people to you and your business.