Crawling the Blogosphere for Small Biz Blogging
Blogs are the latest way to stay up-to-date on trends, get advice from pros and keep an eye on the competition. (We’ve already covered which small biz owners should use blog. See Blogging for Business.) So which are most helpful to a small business in Chicago? Here are my nominations:
Scope: “StartupNation is a free service founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. We created this site to be your one-stop shop for entrepreneurial success… It’s our belief that everyone can -and should-own a business, whether full-time or part-time. Our mission is to help you do just that!”
Sample posts:
- Email Marketing Tips and Advice: Cleaning up and maintaining your contact lists
- Alltop: A Site About Everything (Specifically the Alltop Small Business Section)
- Dramatic eBay Fee Changes Cause Lunar Eclipse!
Scope: Anita Campbell is the editor the Small Business Trends website and the Small Business Trends newsletter, and host of “Small Business Trends Radio.” She’s an entrepreneur at heart and a lawyer by training. Her blog, for small business owners, is said to draw 100,000 readers monthly.
Sample posts:
- Small Business Video Channel
- What Small Businesses Can Learn from Non-Profits and Vice Versa
- Non-Profits Have Needs of Small Businesses
Scope: Short for “Small Business Federal Government Contracting, helping small business succeed in the Federal Government Market.” Written by SCORE counselor Ken Larson, who spent 30 years in federal government contract management and 10 years in small business consulting.
Sample posts (to read, you must be familiar with government acronyms and programs)
- DCAA Audits and Small Business Job Cost Accounting
- Government Acquisition Categories
- Contract Statement of Work and Technical Specifications are Vital Documents
Scope: Serial Entrepreneur and Go BIG Founder Wil Schroter’s Blog! He has started 9 companies.
Sample posts, which are rather substantial short articles:
- You Don’t Need to HAVE a Product to SELL a Product
- What is Your Idea Worth?
- Wil Interviewed on Vator for Go BIG and GotCast
Scope: “The Small Business Advice Podcast That’s Shorter Than Your Coffee Break” offers small business advice, tips, and education from owners of small businesses.
Sample posts:
- Small Business Taxes Pt. 2
- Small Business Recommended Reading
- Small Business Taxes Pt. 1
Scope: Chicago Tech. Software and Entrepreneurship Calendar.
Sample posts, which are event listings:
- Get Financing: Learn Sources, Impress Your Banker
- Creating & Delivering Product Demos
- Web Design That Works: Build and Improve Your Website
Now, how about some real blogs by Chicago entrepreneurs who are also SCORE clients?
Check these:
Scope: “Chicago’s most-comprehensive, most-reliable and most-user-friendly database on condos and communities.” Ric Cox tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Chicago Condos — trends, buyer tips, top brokers, industry scoop. He’s got great stats on the market.
Scope: Theresa Carter’s blog on Chicago events, reviews, restaurants, and generally what’s happening around town.
Scope: Jeff Hodges talks about the latest releases on DVD, gives you news by TV show, puts you on a waiting list for just what you want.
Scope: Jess Constable is on a mission to help ladies incorporate style into their career wardrobes. My speaking and writing is practical and relevant to those just starting out, or those looking to spruce up their look.
Scope: Erin and Kelly sell custom skirts and dresses for children through their website.
And a recent article from the New York Times gives the blogging experiences of more small biz people: a leadership consultant and an attorney with an interest in franchising.
Peg Corwin
