Comments on: Why the NY Times Misses the Point on the Benefits of Blogging http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/ How to turn prospects into buyers with content marketing Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:13:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Patrick Joyce http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-1253 Patrick Joyce Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:17:18 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-1253 Great post. Two points in particular resonated with me. "Most smaller restaurants have limited marketing budgets and can’t afford to keep paying web designers for constant updates" "Restaurants of any size today have websites, but many were built by 3rd parties and cannot be updated easily." As a former restaurant manager and software engineer I knew there HAD to be a better way to handle this. So I started SandwichBoard to solve the problem. After 5 months of private beta testing, we've just opened up to the public. We're really proud of what we've done. After a lot of effort we think we've made updating a restaurant web site as easy as posting to a blog or updating a facebook profile. Restaurant owners and managers can update their menus, events, locations, and news from a web browser without having to learn anything about HTML or web design. The best way to understand SandwichBoard is to see it in action, so please take a look at our introductory video: http://www.sandwichboard.com Great post. Two points in particular resonated with me.

“Most smaller restaurants have limited marketing budgets and can’t afford to keep paying web designers for constant updates”

“Restaurants of any size today have websites, but many were built by 3rd parties and cannot be updated easily.”

As a former restaurant manager and software engineer I knew there HAD to be a better way to handle this. So I started SandwichBoard to solve the problem. After 5 months of private beta testing, we’ve just opened up to the public.

We’re really proud of what we’ve done. After a lot of effort we think we’ve made updating a restaurant web site as easy as posting to a blog or updating a facebook profile.

Restaurant owners and managers can update their menus, events, locations, and news from a web browser without having to learn anything about HTML or web design. The best way to understand SandwichBoard is to see it in action, so please take a look at our introductory video: http://www.sandwichboard.com

]]> By: Caroline Melberg http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-379 Caroline Melberg Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:40:34 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-379 Hey Newt - thanks for bringing this article to my attention, I had missed it. I am normally a Guy Kawasaki fan, but I think you hit the mark with your earlier comment about him possibly being to mired in the tech world to see the forest for the trees. Or potentially he's too mired in "big biz" to truly appreciate the value a blog has for small businesses. I work exclusively with small business owners in my consulting practice from all industries, and I have yet to NOT recommend a blog to a client. It's that important. Thanks for getting the word out! Caroline Hey Newt – thanks for bringing this article to my attention, I had missed it. I am normally a Guy Kawasaki fan, but I think you hit the mark with your earlier comment about him possibly being to mired in the tech world to see the forest for the trees. Or potentially he’s too mired in “big biz” to truly appreciate the value a blog has for small businesses. I work exclusively with small business owners in my consulting practice from all industries, and I have yet to NOT recommend a blog to a client. It’s that important. Thanks for getting the word out!
Caroline

]]> By: Newt Barrett http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-331 Newt Barrett Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:30:59 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-331 Jack, I think Guy Kawasaki may just be mired in the tech world. He probably can't easily relate to a restaurant or a tire dealer or a kitchen designer having a blog with value. I think that the best small business blogs should be integrated with your website so that when prospects are searching for you, they will realize that you have something worthwhile to say on the product/service they're seeking out. Newt Jack,
I think Guy Kawasaki may just be mired in the tech world. He probably can’t easily relate to a restaurant or a tire dealer or a kitchen designer having a blog with value.
I think that the best small business blogs should be integrated with your website so that when prospects are searching for you, they will realize that you have something worthwhile to say on the product/service they’re seeking out.
Newt

]]> By: Newt Barrett http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-330 Newt Barrett Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:25:26 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-330 Allen, Thanks for your thoughtful comment. In terms of SEO benefit, I was astonished today to see that when you search for the term 'content marketing,' our site is #6. When we first began, we probably weren't even on the 6th page of results. It's all as a result of providing content in our blog/website combo that is specific to our niche and provides value to readers. Newt Allen,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. In terms of SEO benefit, I was astonished today to see that when you search for the term ‘content marketing,’ our site is #6. When we first began, we probably weren’t even on the 6th page of results. It’s all as a result of providing content in our blog/website combo that is specific to our niche and provides value to readers.
Newt

]]> By: menukarma http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-329 menukarma Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:36:11 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-329 What ALL businesses need to understand is that abstention from the online dialogue is not an option. Either you are contributor to and influencer of what people are saying about you online or you're not. Guy Kawasaki is not so much "wrong" as he is of-a-mind with many business owners, who mistakenly discount the importance of the web to their businesses. Most assume it does not affect them, because they can't see or don't understand the ways it does touch their business. What ALL businesses need to understand is that abstention from the online dialogue is not an option. Either you are contributor to and influencer of what people are saying about you online or you’re not. Guy Kawasaki is not so much “wrong” as he is of-a-mind with many business owners, who mistakenly discount the importance of the web to their businesses. Most assume it does not affect them, because they can’t see or don’t understand the ways it does touch their business.

]]> By: Allen Taylor http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Allen Taylor Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:03:10 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-318 As a blog ghostwriter and manager of a large portfolio of small business blogs, I am a firm believer that most small business owners who haven't discovered the value of a blog can benefit. A blog has SEO benefits that a static website doesn't have, it can be more personal and less threatening, and can receive valuable feedback from your target market. There is no other marketing tool that casts such a wide net of communication and is so affordable and easy to implement for the average business owner. As a blog ghostwriter and manager of a large portfolio of small business blogs, I am a firm believer that most small business owners who haven’t discovered the value of a blog can benefit. A blog has SEO benefits that a static website doesn’t have, it can be more personal and less threatening, and can receive valuable feedback from your target market. There is no other marketing tool that casts such a wide net of communication and is so affordable and easy to implement for the average business owner.

]]> By: Newt Barrett http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-305 Newt Barrett Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:46:32 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-305 Brett, I appreciate your comment. When you consider that small businesses in particular thrive because of their unique personalities, they should try to translate that personality to the web. A blog is a great way to do it. Brett,
I appreciate your comment. When you consider that small businesses in particular thrive because of their unique personalities, they should try to translate that personality to the web. A blog is a great way to do it.

]]> By: Brett Gilbertson http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-304 Brett Gilbertson Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:35:17 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-304 Well said Newt. Another good blogging example is the Californian surf clothing retailer Swell. They have an interesting blog attached to their Ecommerce website - www.swell.com. I think it adds a lot of personality to what would otherwise be just another faceless Ecommerce website. Surely it would also cement the relationship with the brand for many customers. The challenge for some businesses is to find out what is relevant to their customers so that you can start blogging. Of course the process of blogging will help you to determine that. Well said Newt. Another good blogging example is the Californian surf clothing retailer Swell. They have an interesting blog attached to their Ecommerce website – http://www.swell.com.

I think it adds a lot of personality to what would otherwise be just another faceless Ecommerce website. Surely it would also cement the relationship with the brand for many customers.

The challenge for some businesses is to find out what is relevant to their customers so that you can start blogging. Of course the process of blogging will help you to determine that.

]]> By: Newt Barrett http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-303 Newt Barrett Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:09:53 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-303 Patsi, Thanks so much. When I first spotted the article, I was expecting validation for small business blogging. Actually, although I didn't comment, I thought the example of the sweetriot blog was fairly lame as they reported it. It seemed to be all about the company rather than being all about the customer. One of my favorites is the <a href="http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2007/12/18/simple-success-strategy-for-small-smoothie-supplier/" rel="nofollow">Maui Wowi smoothie site </a>I wrote about. It's simple, visual, reinforces why you might want to hire for an event. And, it's one of my best read post of the last 30 days. Patsi,
Thanks so much. When I first spotted the article, I was expecting validation for small business blogging. Actually, although I didn’t comment, I thought the example of the sweetriot blog was fairly lame as they reported it. It seemed to be all about the company rather than being all about the customer.
One of my favorites is the Maui Wowi smoothie site I wrote about.
It’s simple, visual, reinforces why you might want to hire for an event. And, it’s one of my best read post of the last 30 days.

]]> By: Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:44:25 +0000 http://contentmarketingtoday.com/2008/01/03/why-the-ny-times-misses-the-point-on-the-benefits-of-blogging/#comment-301 Bravo, Newt! Great catch and thanks for speaking up. Since we work with so many service professionals, I bought into what the old lady said about retail blogs. My partner, Denise Wakeman, has been helping local bakery, Mani's Bakery, blog for a couple of years now, and it's been a great success. The key is in knowing how to create great content that isn't advertising. Anyone in business has stories to tell. It's not rocket science... Bravo, Newt! Great catch and thanks for speaking up. Since we work with so many service professionals, I bought into what the old lady said about retail blogs.

My partner, Denise Wakeman, has been helping local bakery, Mani’s Bakery, blog for a couple of years now, and it’s been a great success.

The key is in knowing how to create great content that isn’t advertising. Anyone in business has stories to tell. It’s not rocket science…

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