To Blog or not to Blog?

As I pen my first entry, it is compelling to explain what positive experience, for you the reader, I hope to create. My first premise is that if somehow challenging, enlightening, or enriching you or your organization doesn't result, you won't bother again. Simply stated, while the blog can and should provide benefits to the writer such as clarifying thoughts, getting feedback, and marketing, it must provide even more to those who experience it. WIFM - what's in it for me (meaning you)?

My pledge is to deliver; call me on it if I don't.

Relevancy is next. You won't find meaningless photos or drivel here UNLESS there is a story, a lesson, or a signnificant point to be made. You don't care what I did today, and you may not even care what I think about blogs, but I want to set the table for honest communication with some useful nuggets here and there.

What should blogs provide? They should be a: 1) Teaching and learning experience 2) Networking opportunity 3) Challenge to traditional thinking 4) Change facilitator 5) Business opportunity. Blogs should also be short and to the point; more detail can be provided in an article or newsletter.

Another important characteristic should be to separate fact from opinion. While most would concede that blogs, by definition, are realities only in the mind of the writer, they are most useful when supported by data, or labeled as conjecture. This allows the reader to pick and choose his or her conclusions and gain maximum value.

Enough of my philosophy! Please give me yours.

In adherring to my brevity value, I will now close with the future structure. I will write 2 blogs per week. Since my business is a consulting firm, and my background is in printing and the book industry, the topics will surround the areas of best business practices, technical issues within the book business, and hiring, coaching, and developing outstanding people. Authors should write what they know; I will write what I do best.

Until next time, always take the high road!