Amazon.com
About the Authors:

Robert Scoble helps run Microsoft's Channel 9 Web site. He began his blog in 2000 and now has more than 3.5 million readers every year. Scoble's blog has earned acclaim in Fortune magazine, Fast Company, and The Economist.

Shel Israel played a key strategic role in introducing some of technology's most successful products, including PowerPoint, FileMaker, and Sun Microsystems workstations.He's been an expert on innovation for more than twenty years.

An Excerpt from Naked Conversations:

Bloggings's Six Pillars: There are six key differences between blogging and any other communications channel. You can find any of them elsewhere. These are the Six Pillars of Blogging:

1. Publishable.Anyone can publish a blog.You can do it cheaply and post often. Each posting is instantly available worldwide.

2. Findable. Through search engines, people will find blogs by subject, by author, or both. The more you post, the more findable you become.

3. Social. The blogosphere is one big conversation. Interesting topical conversations move from site to site, linking to each other. Through blogs, people with shared interests build relationships unrestricted by geographic borders.

4. Viral. Information often spreads faster through blogs than via a newsservice. No form of viral marketing matches the speed and efficiency of a blog.

5. Syndicatable. By clicking on an icon, you can get free "home delivery" of RSS- enabled blogs into your e-mail software. RSS lets you know when a blog you subscribe to is updated, saving you search time. This process is considerably more efficient than the last- generation method of visiting one page of one web site at a time looking for changes.

6. Linkable. Because each blog can link to all others, every blogger has access to the tens of millions of people who visit the blogosphere every day.

You can find each of these elements elsewhere. None is, in itself, all that remarkable. But in final assembly, they are the benefits of the most powerful two-way Internet communications tool so far developed.

Other Blogging Books

Blogging For Dummies

Buzz Marketing with Blogs For Dummies

Publishing a Blog with Blogger

Book Description

From the creator of the number one business blog comes a powerful exploration of how, and why, businesses had better be blogging: Naked Conversations.

According to experts Robert Scoble and Shel Israel, blogs offer businesses something that has long been lacking in their communication with customers -- meaningful dialogue. Devoid of corporate-speak and empty promises, business blogs can humanize communication, bringing companies and their constituencies together in a way that improves both image and bottom line.

The authors use more than 50 case histories to explain why blogging is an efficient and credible method of business communication. You'll find yourself excited about the possibilities blogs present after reading just a few pages. Discover how:

• Prominent business leaders, including Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks, Bob Lutz from General Motors, and Jonathan Schwartz of Sun Microsystems, are beginning to use blogs to connect with their customers in new ways.
• Blogging has changed the rules of communication and competition.
• You can launch an effective blogging strategy and the reasons why you should.

Featuring a foreword by Tom Peters, this is a resource you and your business can't do without.

Download Description

From the creator of the number one business blog comes a powerful exploration of how, and why, businesses had better be blogging According to these experts, blogs offer businesses something that has long been lacking in their communication with customers-meaningful dialogue. Devoid of corporate-speak and empty promises, business blogs can humanize communication, bringing companies and their constituencies together in a way that improves both image and bottom line. With a Foreword by Tom Peters, author of such business bibles as In Search of Excellence, this book uses more than 50 case histories to explain why blogging is an efficient and infinitely more credible method of business communication. Blogs are easily linked, allowing information to spread rapidly, and blog readers are active, not passive, participants in the communication. Business and marketing decision-makers will find themselves excited about the possibilities after just a few pages. Interviews with Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks, Bob Lutz from General Motors, Jonathan Schwartz of Sun Microsystems, and other prominent business leaders showcase how businesses are beginning to use blogs to connect with customers in new ways Explores how blogging has changed the rules of communication and competition Gives business owners the tools to launch an effective blogging strategy and the reasons why they should Robert Scoble (Redmond, WA) is a technical evangelist who helps run Microsoft's Channel 9 Web site. He is also the company's best-known blogger, whose blog is read by more than 3.5 million people annually and is the top-ranking business blog among Technorati's Top 100. Shel Israel (San Carlos, CA) has been a consultant for more than 20 years and played a key strategic role in introducing some of technology's most successful products, including PowerPoint, FileMaker, and Sun Microsystems' workstations.

Customer Reviews:

Very Helpful.......2007-08-09

As a novice blogger and blog reader, I found this book to be a very helpful initiation into the culture of blogging. While the authors can be a bit "preachy" at times, they do get their message across and I find that their views on what blogging is all about ring true.

If you are already out there in the blogosphere, you will probably not find anything new here. However, if you are just getting your start, and especially if your business is just getting its start in blogging, this is an important book to read.

Great book!.......2007-07-23

I'm really enjoying the book. I'm blogging for my company, and was very interested in the insights of these men. They offer far more than just blogging guidelines - they offer a window into how our communication styles have developed in the digital age, and how to serve our employers with our communications.

Great book - I'm recommending to friends.

Received quickly & in great condition.

Every Marketing person should read this book.......2007-06-01

Blogs are another way of marketing a company's products and services and drawing folks into the raison d'etre for the company doing certain things, or going in a certain direction. Websites offer information, but no dialog.
My take on this book is that .. this is a must read for every Marketing person. Blogs have a huge potential for making companies look human and help sell products.
The book is very 'straight from the heart'. You can see that all over the place :). These guys are really into blogging and passionately so.
The industry examples are very good. Google and Apple not encouraging blogging was a big surprise.

A Practical Guide to Corporate Blogging.......2007-04-07

Naked Conversations is an insightful guide to the phenomenon of corporate blogging. Robert Scoble and Shel Israel have taken the fundamental message of The Cluetrain Manifesto--the claim that `markets are conversations'--and explored its business implications. Less visionary than The Cluetrain Manifesto, Naked Conversations is far more practical and instructive. It's the kind of book that you could recommend to your boss if he wanted to know why he should encourage his employees to blog about work.

The authors put forward a convincing case that businesses large and small need to take blogging seriously. On the one hand, corporate blogging can provide excellent return on investment, particularly in terms of search engine rankings but also, less quantifiably, in shared community perceptions. On the other hand, ignoring the blogosphere or entering it without taking account of its culture risks injuring a company's credibility. A key point is that blogging, unlike traditional public relations, is as much or more about listening as it is about speaking.

The authors divide the book into three sections. The first provides a series of case studies exploring different aspects of corporate blogging. Scoble and Israel point to corporate (and national) culture as the major differentiator between companies which encourage blogging and those which do not. Some companies like Google and Apple have turned corporate secrecy into a competitive strategy. Others simply let the big boss blog, preferring not to allow the minions to express themselves in their own voices. Microsoft and Sun are among the forward-thinking corporations which recognize the public relations value of encouraging their employees to talk online about the products and ideas they care about. The second section gives very practical tips about how and how not to blog about business. The third section, which is the shortest, provides a broader perspective on the place of blogging among other emerging technologies and trends.

Robert Scoble did a tremendous job with Channel 9 while he was at Microsoft. His video interviews introduced me to the people building the technologies I use everyday. I now feel a kind of personal connection to Microsoft and its employees. This would never have happened through advertising and traditional public relations. It came as a result of letting employees speak publicly about what they are working on. Rather than thinking about the company as a `Borg,' I regard Microsoft as a collection of extremely interesting and creative individuals who also listen and respond to what others have to say about their products.

Naked Conversations is not a technical book about how to set up a blog. Rather, it's an introduction to the culture of blogging and how it contributes to business today. Clearly, anyone considering blogging about business will want to read this book first--not just to avoid getting `dooced'--but to gain the right perspective on the risks and returns of talking and listening to customers online.

Good ONE.......2007-03-28

I think the book is really good if you don't have read any book about blogs.
Just in this case, buy it.
Otherwise, just read blogs, do not need any book.
At least this is what I think.

Best Regards,

Average customer rating: A lot of useful information - straight to the point. Attention Independent Writers A MUST FOR ALL AUTHORS!!! Every author will want to read "Plug Your Book" again and again A "must-have" for the independent author/publisher

Plug Your Book! Online Book Marketing for Authors, Book Publicity through Social Networking Steve Weber Manufacturer: Weber Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Book Industry | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Authorship | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books General | Reference | Subjects | Books Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: Aiming at Amazon: The NEW Business of Self Publishing, or How to Publish Books for Less, Sell Without Hassle, and Double Your Profit (or More) With Print on Demand and Book Marketing on Amazon.com Sell Your Book on Amazon: The Book Marketing COACH Reveals Top-Secret "How-to" Tips Guaranteed to Increase Sales for Print-on-Demand and Self-Publishing Writers 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers) The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't Perfect Pages: Self Publishing with Microsoft Word, or How to Avoid High-Priced Page Layout Programs or Book Design Fees and Produce Fine Books in MS Word for Desktop Publishing and Print on Demand ASIN: 0977240614 Release Date: 2007-02-01

Customer Reviews:

A lot of useful information - straight to the point. .......2007-10-05

I was a published author before I read Weber's books, but my market up until now was Europe and Latin America. Even though I subscribed to Writer's Digest and read a lot about marketing and networking ... as a writer mom I didn't have the time to be reading about how Amazon "really" can work for you or against you depending on how you use it, how to network online and the importance of an interactive website. While mine was (still is) very flashy, it did nothing for the reader and I decided to change that approach after reading this book. Someone told me the book contained all the information he had read over 4 years poring over mags and other books and the Internet, but for me it was great to find it all in one book. I'm sure it will have to be updated regularly, since the Internet is a fast paced ever changing place. But I got a lot out of the book and I believe any writer and author can too, no matter how big or small their publishers are.

Attention Independent Writers.......2007-10-04

This is the only book you will ever need to succeed on the web with your stories that you have sweat over only to be turned down by "the big boys". This book has enhanced my sales tremendously and I have only owned it for 4 days. Steve's step by step is the only way to go. He gives you the how and the where. The action is up to you. Thank you Steve

-Timothy Kendrick author- PTSD: Pathways Through the Secret Door

A MUST FOR ALL AUTHORS!!!.......2007-09-26

I'm writing not only to recommend this book to new authors and those that have been around the block a few times, but also to personally thank you Steve Weber! I'm truly glad I stumbled upon you and your book on My Space:) Everyone that read my first book loved it. But few knew how to find it and I didn't really know how to market it. I can certainly say, having been ranked on Amazon with my second book that if you write, this book should be in your library! Wishing you continued success and thanks again so much for putting this information in a clear and easy to undertand language so we who love to write, can reach those who love read! I also want to mention that when you buy this book, some of the things you might not get completely the first go around, are shared again if you sign up for his news letter. So you're always if you do so, getting tips which is fantastic because Steve is really following up on what he preaches.

Wishing you continued success Steve and if you're a writer reading this... I hope you will take the hint and jump start your success possibilities by investing in this book. I heard earlier today that someone, (Think it was Ben Franklin), and not verbatim mind you, said if you want to fill up your pockets, then spend some of the money in your pockets investing in your mind.

For writers, this book is one, if not thee best way you can go about that.

Sincerely,
And thanks again for creating this book:)
Chase von
tlp
The Last Panther Your Chance to Hear The Last Panther Speak

Every author will want to read "Plug Your Book" again and again .......2007-09-07

To use a cliché, Plug Your Book! Online Book Marketing for Authors by Steve Weber is a page turner. As a book publicist always looking for new angles to promote my client's books, I could not wait to read the next page because there was so much good information about online book marketing on every single page. It's all presented in a useful format complete with the 'why' and 'how to.'

For instance, Weber discusses the awesome power of Amazon and its various nooks and crannies. He unveils various Amazon features that can help authors sell more books. He states that Amazon 'reader reviews' are more important than ever -- perhaps even rivaling a major newspaper review. The reason? Amazon reviews can be read for years by hundreds of people and a potential buyer is just one click away from purchasing your book. He says "Amazon is 'ground zero' for your online campaign. It provides free worldwide exposure to those readers most likely to buy your book."

Weber also suggests numerous online resources as well as how to create an online blog tour and using social networking sites such as My Space to promote your book.

Every author will want to read "Plug Your Book" again and again to learn how to successfully use all of the online tools available to "Plug Your Book."

A "must-have" for the independent author/publisher.......2007-08-27

If you're an independent author and/or publisher, then "Plug Your Book" is a must-read/must-own reference guide you should carry everywhere you go and review before you start your business day on the World Wide Web.
There are so many facets to the publishing world that even with extensive study and research can be overwhelming and at times, too much to take in. Mr. Weber has compiled an extensive "to-do" list being simply his table-of-contents. Not only does he offer marketing tips and trade secrets, but there is invaluable information loaded within the pages--resources, examples and motivation to say the least!
I have to say, being new to the publishing world, I have already begun to see immediate return-on-investment with regards to the amount of time I spend researching, publicizing, marketing and networking with other writers and publishers on the Internet, by simply applying the various techniques and utilizing the "right" resources to get the job done!
Thanks Steve for this invaluable resource!

Average customer rating: Surpassed my Excpectations Good and Informative Great resource yes...buy the book The world of blogs for faith communities

The Blogging Church Brian Bailey , and Terry Storch Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books History | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books General | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books Church Administration | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books Ministry | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books General | Evangelism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: The Big Idea: Focus the Message-multiply the Impact (The Leadership Network Innovation Series) In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples Confessions of a Pastor: Adventures in Dropping the Pose and Getting Real with God They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations ASIN: 0787984876

Book Description

The Blogging Church offers church leaders a field manual for using the social phenomenon of blogs to connect people and build communities in a whole new way. Inside you will find the why, what, and how of blogging in the local church. Filled with illustrative examples and practical advice, the authors answer key questions learned on the frontlines of ministry: Is blogging a tool or a toy? What problems will blogging solve? How does it benefit ministry? How do I build a great blog? and Who am I blogging for?

The Blogging Church is a handbook that will inspire and equip you to join the conversation.

The book includes contributions from five of the most popular bloggers in the world—Robert Scoble, Dave Winer, Kathy Sierra, Guy Kawasaki, and Merlin Mann, as well as interviews with blogging pastors such as Mark Driscoll, Craig Groeschel, Tony Morgan, Perry Noble, Greg Surratt, Mark Batterson, and many more.

Customer Reviews:

Surpassed my Excpectations.......2007-07-08

I was actually pleasantly surprised with this book. I knew going into this book that I was in for a lot of great information and disciplines in creating and maintaining a blog. I did not expect how creatively it was written. I think we have certain expectations for "how-to" books and this one surpassed my expectations.

If you have started a blog or are just thinking about it, grab this book. There is a lot of focus on churches creating and using blogs, but not to the extent that it leaves the individual out. The writers took time to teach us a little history as well as give us clear detailed info on the how, why and where of the blog world. Chapter 9 & 10 focus on starting a blog and then building a blog well. I love chapter 11 titled "Build A Really Bad Blog". It's kind of the how-to in reverse.

One of the coolest things in the book was hearing from bloggers around the country about their take on blogging and how it has affected their lives or the lives of the businesses/churches they are involved with. I enjoyed hearing the real world ideas.

This book really starts from the beginning by asking 3 questions...
-Is it a tool or a toy?
-What problem are you trying to solve?
-What is the return on ministry?

The writers go on to explain that "Blogs are tools, not toys. Blogs help solve real problems. Blogs deliver a true return on ministry."

I also appreciate the hopeful message from start to finish. As churches and Christ-followers, we have an amazing opportunity to share our story with others. The blog world is open and ready for the taking. This book consistently draws you back to intent. The writers want you to be excited about who God is in your life and they want that to burst out on your blog.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of or already in the blogging world. It's very easy to read. It is not extremely technical. And when it does get technical, they have done a great job of explaining themselves so no one gets left behind. It has real life stories and history. It is a quick read.

Good and Informative.......2007-06-13

I learned a lot that I didn't know about blogging from this book. It would have saved me a lot of problems if I had had something like this when I started blogging a year ago.

Great resource.......2007-06-08

If you are looking for some help in defining and establishing a blog for yourself or your ministry you will find this book helpful. It gives some great insight in to establishing a good blog for the right reasons.

yes...buy the book.......2007-06-02

This book is awesome. it will make you think about the various was you can reach people. It will make you take a look at yourself and motivate you to reach others in ways you havent thought of before.

The world of blogs for faith communities.......2007-05-03

The blogging church provides a clear vision and specific guidance about how the practice of blogging can have a positive impact in the life of a church. Brian Bailey and Terry Storch provide clear information for a wide range of interested readers - from someone who is curious about what a blog is to someone who is an active blogger and is looking for increased effectiveness.

After addressing the question of "why blog?" Bailey and Storch move to suggestions about how writing a blog could effectively be implemented within a congregation. Suggestions, which are addressed in respective chapters, include to: share news, cast vision, reach out, and connect your staff. In addition to announcements, Bailey and Storch recommend considering the blog as more of an open dialogue - ask and answer questions. Bailey and Storch suggest that reading as well as writing is integral to entering the world of blogs. They provide guidance for a properly balanced approach to reading blogs.

The blogging church is an excellent introduction to the practice of blogging and how it can have an impact in local congregations. I recommend this book to those exploring the possibility of beginning a blog, considering new ways of communication for a local congregation or hoping to improve a current blog.

Average customer rating: Lots of Ideas More of the same A Great Toolbox For The Beginner Blogger Worth a Quick Read A solid effort by Mr. Demopoulos

What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) Ted Demopoulos Manufacturer: Kaplan Business ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books General | Web Design | Web Development | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Similar Items: The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly Realty Blogging Blogging for Business: Everything You Need to Know and Why You Should Care The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media Clear Blogging: How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them ASIN: 1419584359 Release Date: 2006-11-01

Book Description

As all these people become publishers – and even more become blog readers – the nature of the material being produced has moved into the realms of politics, professions and consumerism. For example, “Engadget” is one of the more popular blogs, a daily review of newfangled and exciting gadgets.

Blogs and Blogging in business are relatively new, so new that there simply are no rules. If there were rules, they would be changing and evolving too rapidly to codify. The best anyone can say is “here is some advice based on what is working today, combined with a good dollop of common sense.” As a result, this topic fits the What No One Ever Tells You series format perfectly!

Despite their “newness,” blogs have rapidly proven themselves in business. They serve several functions valiantly, including: communicating with customers, potential customers, and other stakeholders, as a research tool to help uncover what is being said about you, your company, your competitors, and your industry, and even as a type of broadcast medium as some are making significant money by monetizing blog traffic through advertising and other means. Instead of offering our advice on blogs and blogging in business, in this book we offer advice from 101 people who are successfully harnessing the power of blogging.

Customer Reviews:

Lots of Ideas.......2007-09-06

I've just started my blog on technology investigations called "Hack-igations". I was looking for ideas on how to make the most of my blog, and Demopoulos' book was a big help. It's full of stories about the experiences of other bloggers. The stories give me a sense for blogging culture; they help me fix realistic expectations about what my blog can and cannot do for me.

More of the same .......2007-07-27

Unfortunately, this book is like so many books on blogging and other Web ventures:

1. It promises "insider information."
2. It's a thrown together compendium of the writings of Web marketing "gurus," most of whose only real experience is in marketing their own purported expertise in Web marketing.
3. From reading it, one does glean a few good ideas.

... and like all the others, it will be useful to those who are new to the field. To use an old saying, it's like a Texas longhorn: a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between.

A Great Toolbox For The Beginner Blogger.......2007-07-19

A book like this isn't about chewing through pages merely for the purpose of consuming knowledge on social networking. It's for the impassioned evangelist seeking to inspire others to action with nothing more than the seed of thought. The author has taken all these great relationships he's cultivated with winning bloggers around the world and compacted them into tiny, bite-sized chunks of expert advice. Based only on what I read in the book I've developed a blog (..) that within three weeks has attracted about 600 visitors including the attention of more than a few key industry people. And, the book is a great resource to review every once in a while to keep you focused on what works.

Worth a Quick Read.......2007-07-06

This book will take most readers about 101 minutes to read. It is designed in 101 very short chapters of about a page each. In fact each chapter it much like a Blog post. It is a series of interviews with commentary based on the author's discussions with 101 blog writers/experts. I got several ideas from it. It sent me off to the computer to find some of these bloggers. It inspired me to make a post or two. The content on podcasting is a handful of these short chapters. It is well worth a look, but it is not likely something one would read a second time.

A solid effort by Mr. Demopoulos.......2007-05-10

As a person with an interest in blogging and podcasting, this book gave me enough information and anecdotes to keep me entertained and informed.

The book uses individual stories from a diverse set of people in the industry as jumping off points for each given topic area. Grounding each theme in a real person's story provides useful context. The short chapters keep things moving without any unnecessary clutter.

If you are a techno-savvy reader, not everything in the book will be new information, but the author has probed enough nooks and crannies of the topic to unearth more than a few gems.

It's well worth your time if you want to stretch your brain in this area.

Average customer rating: Excellent source for Real Estate Bloggers A focus on all the wrong things Blogging Captures the Imagination of the Real Estate Industry A great resource for real estate professionals A Must-Have for Any Bloggers' Library...

Realty Blogging Richard Nacht , and Paul Chaney Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) Real Estate Rainmaker: Guide to Online Marketing Sold!: Direct Marketing for the Real Estate Pro The Champion Real Estate Agent Real Estate Presentations That Make Millions ASIN: 0071478957

Book Description

Unleash the power of blogging in your real estate business

Are you blogging for your real estate business? Realty Blogging shows you how to fully utilize this powerful, direct-communication marketing tool, giving you all the know-how you need to capture the interest and business of local homeowners, buyers, and sellers.

Drawing upon their extensive experience in blogging, real estate, and online marketing, authors Richard Nacht and Paul Chaney reveal how to:

• Develop an effective Internet marketing strategy
• Generate leads consistently at almost no cost
• Define yourself as an expert in a particular area
• Serve your market niche
• Establish long-term relationships with your customers
• Create content that attracts major search engines
• Create buzz about your blog in the media

Plus, you receive a FREE blogging platform and instructional sessions to get you blogging right away!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent source for Real Estate Bloggers.......2007-04-27

There are many great books on blogging, this book in particular was extremely helpful to me as a new blogger not only because it relates specifically to my field, but because it helped me with basics and it was easy to read and follow. The book is up-to-date, filled with great resources and examples and recommend it to anyone who is considering blogging. It talks about subjects like finding your voice to finding your audience in order to be successful at blogging.

A focus on all the wrong things.......2007-03-26

I delayed buying this book, hoping that it wouldn't be as bad as it proved to be.

It's a muddled brain dump of both good and bad advice about blogging, but with a focus on all the wrong things.

The single biggest problem is that it panders to the standard real estate agent thinking that there's a magic bullet out there that will give the agent an edge over his or her competitors. The current magic bullet is blogging.

Left out of the books is any serious discussion of what should have been the starting point: a blog can't attract an audience without a focus on delivering something of value to a targeted audience.

The authors pay modest homage to this concept, but virtually everything they write undermines it. They encourage agents to write about anything and everything, and tell them what they want to hear: you can be an expert simply by claiming to be one and having a blog.

Agents should spend the time learning something substantive that consumers want to know instead of reading this book.

The popularity of this book will do much to undermine any potential value that real estate blogging has to those agents who want to pursue it as a way of developing, honing and communicating real expertise. An army of idiot brokers will, on the advice of the authors, be babbling on with no focus and will discourage anyone from even looking at the occasional good real estate blog.

Real estate blogging, if the authors of this book find an audience that follows their advice, will be just as useless a field of garbage as real estate agent Web sites have become.

Blogging Captures the Imagination of the Real Estate Industry.......2007-03-21

In 2004, however, blogs unexpectedly vaulted into the forefront of major media, and today there are thought to be more than 30 million bloggers contributing on some kind of regular basis - a community that grows by the thousands every single day.

Blogging is rapidly developing into an instrument whose purpose, among others, is to establish an online presence, improve visibility, build a sense of community, maintain an open dialogue for clients and prospects, and offer valuable information - all of which is accomplished in a facade-less, unfiltered, much more candid way.

Therefore, by definition blogging has a huge potential in real estate - both for brokers and agents. It is another untapped, powerful tool for the tech-savvy agent, another hi-tech weapon in the real estate sales arsenal that should be used in tandem with the myriad of Internet-related innovations like websites, search engine optimization, and video and audio broadcasting, to strengthen the agent's overall marketing package and enable him or her to present a homes sale or purchase experience that leaves client expectations in the dust.

As more traditional marketing avenues and vehicles continue to lose market share to their digital cousins, the real estate industry would be wise to gain as much understanding as we can about all of the potential advantages inherent in the organic World Wide Web, and all the new strategies, including blogging. In this new book, Richard expertly details and clarifies this new phenomenon for real estate professionals. It is the best book on blogging for real estate professionals.

Embrace, explore, and engage it. Conquer its intricacies, share in its knowledge base, maximize its huge potential and then set a path to become the real estate blogging authority in your local market.


Stefan Swanepoel
Thirteen time author including
Real Estate confronts Reality (1997) Real Estate confronts the Future (2004) and Swanepoel Trends Report (2007)

A great resource for real estate professionals.......2007-01-04

Real estate agents certainly have a much harder job today than they did in the pre-Internet days. I often wonder how so many of them continue to make a living when there are a variety of online solutions for buying and selling a house. How do they justify their commission? Stand out in the crowd?

One way to become better known as the local real estate expert, and a very good one, I might add, is to consider getting into the blogosphere. Become the well-known real estate expert in your community. Offer all sorts of great insight on how to prep your house for sale or what to look for in your next home purchase.

If you're in the real estate business or know someone who is, Realty Blogging is a "must read." The authors do a fantastic job of putting everything you need to know about blogging in general, but aimed at the real estate market, in a book that's less than 200 pages long. Much of their advice can also be applied outside of blogging (e.g., positioning yourself as the expert and exploiting niches). Another nice touch is that they not only offer coverage of the more popular blogging platforms, they also set up their own, where readers can start a blog in an environment that's very realtor-friendly.

The best real estate agents also seem to be outstanding at personal networking. Blogging is a natural networking extension, but with the added benefits of being much broader and offering 24/7 access. I know a lot of the real estate agents out there are "old school" and all, but I think any agent without a blog is really missing a huge opportunity. If you're the new real estate agent in the area, what better way to build brand recognition and a following than starting a blog to share your real estate wisdom and advice?

I also like the form factor of this one (small trim size, less than 200 pages, inexpensively priced) and wonder what other vertical segments might be right for a blogging book like this...

A Must-Have for Any Bloggers' Library..........2007-01-04

Man! I thought I was inspired to be a Blog-master before the book showed up on my front porch! Even after I read only a few chapters my mind was about to *POP!*- but in a good way... Realty Blogging was referred to my by a fellow blogger, so I ordered it right away. See, I am new to the Blogosphere and am NOT very tech-savvy, not even a little bit. So, there were a lot of "unknowns" to me about blogging. Besides the fact that this book was crammed packed with useful information, what I LOVED was that it was not written in "Geek-Speak" -I could understand everything. (Yay!) I also appreciated how it broke down all the different facets of blogging- what it is, why a real estate agent should do it, and how to effectively maintain a blog... It is a valuable reference book for any real estate agent in any stage of blogging. Because it was so packed with info., I will be able to reference it again and again as I grow as a blogger. Buy it. Read it. Keep it handy.

Average customer rating: good legal perspective NO NO NO Perfect For Those New To Blogging Instead of just writing articles to be posted on the Internet, now there's a great guide to help you post a blog! The Ultimate Blogging Resource

Blogging for Business: Everything You Need to Know and Why You Should Care Shel Holtz , and Ted Demopoulos Manufacturer: Kaplan Business ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Communications | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Customer Service | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers Blog Marketing What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get It Right Publish and Prosper: Blogging for Your Business ASIN: 1419536451 Release Date: 2006-02-01

Book Description

Why do 20 to 40 million Weblogs, or blogs, serve as an outlet for an estimated 32 million readers worldwide? And why do these numbers continue to skyrocket?

In Blogging for Business, authors Shel Holtz and Ted Demopoulos tell you exactly how and why more companies are incorporating blogs into their business strategies. This smart new guide helps you engage in the global conversation by creating and maintaining blogs to generate heightened awareness and greater customer mindshare.

In Blogging for Business, the authors reveal why businesses should embrace blogging:

• How to tap into the power of blogs

• How blogs are different from e-zines, Web sites, and message boards

• Why businesses need to monitor blogs that discuss their products and services

• How to use an internal corporate blog as an effective knowledge sharing tool

• Future iterations of blogging, such as podcasts and vlogs

• Legal considerations

Worldwide corporations from EDS and IBM to General Motors and Sprint are leveraging the myriad applications of blogs for product marketing, customer affinity programs, public relations, and internal communications. Packed with top-notch recommendations from two pros, Blogging for Business demonstrates that blogs offer a competitive advantage that businesses cannot afford to overlook.

Customer Reviews:

good legal perspective.......2007-09-06

I'm a lawyer, and I'm a proponent of companies having public blogs. But I know that corporate blogs raise issues about legal review and control. To address those issues, Holtz and Demopoulos offer a number of thoughtful suggestons.

NO NO NO.......2007-05-17

OK, if you live in a cave and know NOTHING about Blogging you might find a tip in this book. Good luck!

Perfect For Those New To Blogging.......2007-03-15

This is a great book for anyone interested in blogging, but haven't yet learned the ropes. It takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up a blog, discovering your blog's focus, and then promoting your blog.

Even though it is geared towards businesses, I would highly suggest this book for those interested in blogging for fun. It truly does break blogging down into an understandable format.

Instead of just writing articles to be posted on the Internet, now there's a great guide to help you post a blog!.......2007-02-18

I really enjoyed reading this book. The authors clearly knew what they were talking about, and they presented the subject from a position of authority. The content was well-written and well-outlined into 13 chapters as follows:

1. What is a blog?
2. Business uses of blogs
3. Blogs on the inside
4. Monitoring the blogosphere
5. Tapping into the blogosphere
6. How to make money with blogs
7. Planning your blog
8. How to create a blog - step by step
9. Promoting your blog
10. Using search engines to promote your blog
11. Measuring the results of your blog
12. Legal considerations
13. The future of blogging

After reading this book I kind of felt as though I had read other books that were similar, but not quite on point. Then it dawned on me that blogs as a marketing tool are very similar to other self promotion marketing tools: article writing, book writing, public speaking, and seminar/workshop presentations. If you are a consultant of some sort and promote your services by writing and speaking, then you should seriously consider learning how to put together a quality blog or two. And this book will go a long way in helping you get a handle on doing it.

My favorite chapters were 1, 2, 5, 7 and 13. For me, those chapters were the meat of the book. I didn't care much for chapters 3, 11 or 12. And chapters 9 and 10 probably should have been combined into one robust chapter. I realize the authors made a fairly good attempt at explaining how to build a blog "step-by-step," but chapter 8 fell short for me. I don't think anybody could do that topic justice in just a chapter. I would have liked the book better if that chapter had been omitted and saved for another book to cover.

All in all, what a wonderful book. 5 stars!

The Ultimate Blogging Resource.......2007-02-15

The authors of Blogging for Business, Shel Holtz and Ted Demopoulous, did an excellent job of standardizing the process of blogging and creating a book that I'd like to refer to as a `blogging bible' for anyone participating in the blogging experience. As the buzz about blogging has taken off, Holtz and Demopoulous do a great job of simplifying the entire blogging process. In fact the subhead for their book is a great summary - "Everything you need to know and why you should care."

I'm glad this is the first book I read on the subject of blogging because Holtz and Demopoulous did a wonderful job of describing the business benefits of why blogging should be on your radar screen. The first couple chapters of the book cover the blogging basics that anyone interested (or knowledgeable for that matter) in blogging should understand before getting into the benefits.

In a way the book serves as an instruction manual about how to set up a blog as they go into nice detail about the various services and functions available. I was able to set up my personal blog by following chapter 8, "How to create a blog - step-by-step." As I mentioned earlier, this is definitely a book that I've referred back to as I encounter anything new or confusing this blogging world that we're in.

Three of the last four chapters focused on the topic of promoting and measuring the results of your blog. Based on personal experience with blogs, I would focus most of your time reading and re-reading these chapters. As Holtz and Demopoulous mention throughout the book, the biggest challenge of blogging is getting noticed by others by understanding the `behind the scenes' process for promoting your blog.

Blogs, podcasts, vlogs (video blog) and other forms of `new media' are definitely worth consideration - especially from a business perspective. Blogging for Business is a great starting point for anyone interested or curious to learn more about this new influential world.

Average customer rating: Informative primer for corporate bloggers Mostly Excellent Amazing Very Fluffy Book Why your company wants to blog

Blog Marketing Jeremy Wright Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Internet | Home Computing | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books | Internet & Education | Online Searching | Web Browsers | Web for Kids Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers Blogging for Business: Everything You Need to Know and Why You Should Care Buzz Marketing with Blogs For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) Money For Content and Your Clicks For Free: Turning Web Sites, Blogs, and Podcasts Into Cash The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get It Right ASIN: 0072262516

Book Description

With an exclusive look inside Google, Disney, Yahoo, IBM, and others, this book shows how your company can use blogs to raise its visibility and transform internal communications

All companies, large and small, know that reaching customers directly and influencing--and being influenced by--them is essential to success. Blog Marketing

shows marketing and PR professionals as well small business owners how to do just that without spending a lot of money. Readers will learn how to tap into the power of blogs to create a direct line of communication with customers, raise the company's visibility, and position their organizations as industry thought leaders.

"Blogs will soon become a staple in the information diet of every serious businessperson . . . . Blogs offer an accelerated and efficient approach to acquiring and understanding the kind of information all of us need to make business decisions."

-- John Battelle, Business 2.0

Customer Reviews:

Informative primer for corporate bloggers.......2007-03-06

A very useful book for those who want to understand how corporate blogging works, how their companies could use blogs and how to succeed in corporate blogging.

Among the things I particularly like are:

(1) The assertion and further elaboration that Blogging is really about three things: "Information", "Relationships" and "Knowledge Management".

(2) "Be Real: The Scoble Story" which highlights the importance of authenticity and honesty in blogging.

(3) "External Blogging Personality Types" where the values of different blogging styles (e.g. The Barber, The Blacksmith, The Bridge, The Window, The Signpost, The Pub, The Newspaper) was discussed.

Mostly Excellent.......2007-02-14

Great book. I've recommended this one to coworkers. Changed my perspective on blogging. It may seem to get a little monotonous towards the end of the book, but now I'm just nit-picking.

Amazing.......2007-01-11

Thank you for showing me the many ways i can optimize my blog results.

Very Fluffy Book.......2007-01-09

I found this book to be pretty much fluff. There were entire chapters devoted to tired marketing truisms about the need to communicate with my customer. I expected deep information on blogging - I wouldn't have bought the book if I didn't feel the need to communicate with my customer.

Why your company wants to blog.......2006-09-13

The Internet contains more than 40 million blogs (some estimates say 60 million) with more than 200 million readers. With numbers like that, businesses must learn how this powerful new form of word-of-mouth works, because bloggers talk about many companies - perhaps even yours. Author Jeremy Wright takes a quick look at blogging basics and then delves deeply into the impact that blogs have on businesses. He explains how blogging can boost your brand, your customer relationships or your internal communications. If you want to learn how to tap into this richly flowing information stream, we recommend Wright's easy-to-read explanation. Although he provides valuable start-up information for novices, even experienced bloggers and people who are familiar with the blog world will find ideas to help build their strategies.

Average customer rating: web demands new approaches Recommended vey highly Great Insight EVERYTHING you need to know David Scott is a MUST read

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly David Meerman Scott Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Public Relations | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking Web Analytics: An Hour a Day What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything ASIN: 0470113456

Book Description

The Internet has profoundly changed the way people communicate and interact with each other. But it has also changed the way businesses communicate with their customers (and those who they want to be customers). In the old days, companies could only communicate through the filter of expensive advertising or media ink placed by a PR firm. Today the rules have changed entirely.

The New Rules of Marketing and PR shows you how to leverage the potential that Web-based communication offers your business. Finally, you can speak directly to customers and buyers, establishing a personal link with the those who make your business work. You can reach niche buyers with targeted messages that cost a fraction of your big-budget ad campaign. Rather than bombard them with advertising they’ll likely ignore, you can focus on getting the right message to the right people at the right time.

When people visit your company’s Web site, they aren’t there to hear your slogan or see your logo again. They want information, interaction, and choice—and you’d be a fool not to give it to them. This one-of-a-kind guide to the future of marketing includes a step-by-step action plan for harnessing the power of the Internet, showing you how to identify audiences, create compelling messages, get those messages to the right people, and lead those consumers into the buying process. Including a wealth of compelling case studies and real-world examples, this is a practical guide to the new reality of PR and marketing.

Customer Reviews:

web demands new approaches.......2007-10-02

This is a great book - I wish I had written it myself. It's the first book I have seen to really seize on the totally new game of web-based marketing in all its forms - blogs, podcasts, even viral marketing! Even if readers don't plan to use all these approaches, if they inhabit, or their customers inhabit the web, they need to understand it. The book has a fabulous action plan, and even if companies chose to time-phase their new marketing approach by hitting only one or two items to start, the sequence of rapid-fire new marketing solutions is easy to hook into as this approach takes over.

Recommended vey highly.......2007-10-02

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly

Very good book to read in adapting to the new world of marketing in the digital age. Great insights about the new ruless of PR and Marketing and great information about the new digital media. Highly recommend it to everyone.

Great Insight.......2007-09-26

As an author always interested in promoting my books, I was intriqued by David's knowledge and experience. His profiles of various companies/corporations throughout the book gave great insight into online marketing. And it turned a subject that could be overwhelming into manageable chunks easily absorbed. One of my favorite chapters is How to Use News Releases to Reach Buyers Directly. He gave step-by-step details on what works and what does not. Anyone remotely interested in online marketing will gather many tips for hir or her own business.

The Frantic Woman's Guide to Feeding Family and Friends: Shopping Lists, Recipes, and Tips for Every Dinner of the Year

EVERYTHING you need to know.......2007-09-22

This is one of those books that is so packed full of information that you're going to want a notebook and a pen by your side as you read. Even then, you're going to find yourself going back re-reading the items you marked in your notepad. There probably is no guide to internet marketing that is more comprehensive than this. From search engines to pod-casting and even to `Second World' advertising, David Meerman Scott covers all of it with more than a passing glance.

The only downfall to this book will be the passing of time. Because of the very nature of the media that he writes about, the book's shelf life is going to be short. The internet is simply changing that quickly. My recommendation: don't wait for the paperback edition. Order it now, read it now, and act on it now. And check on his blog regularly for the newest updates.

The writing was friendly, up-front and easy to read. A couple of tables, or even just bulleted points to help organize the large array of approaches would have been helpful. Occasionally it seemed as though he were presenting the same information over again, even word for word, but as he admits that he expects some people to jump around rather than reading straight through this is understandable.

As Mr. Scott points out, he doesn't expect anyone to do all of the myriad of approaches that he covers (indeed, one would do nothing but update and maintain these approaches if one did) but he gives you a nice menu to pick and choose what best fits your business and your style.

All in all, a five star rating for those that need an idea of where to start, and how to start in internet marketing. And for those that have been around for a while, it is a welcome guide to what can be done better and what else to try.

David Scott is a MUST read.......2007-09-17

David Scott's book on The New Rules is a MUST read for anyone seeking to expand their online presence in any way. If you want to start a blog, if you want to comment on other blogs, if you have a new product or service coming out, or you want to make an annoucement to the Western Hemisphere. Easy to read, chock full of good examples, and sequenced in a way that makes tremendous sense, this book needs to be a well-used part of your business library.

Not that I have an opinion.

Average customer rating: How to communicate "the inside story, the pulse, the personality of your company" Avoids material covered elsewhere, addresses real world issues Good resource for business communicators Should Be Required Reading Not quite everything

The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get It Right Debbie Weil Manufacturer: Portfolio Hardcover ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Communications | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Business Writing | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Techniques | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books Similar Items: Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers Blogging for Business: Everything You Need to Know and Why You Should Care Blog Rules: A Business Guide to Managing Policy, Public Relations, And Legal Issues Publish and Prosper: Blogging for Your Business Blog Marketing ASIN: 1591841259

Book Description

The definitive guide to corporate blogging, and why every organization needs to join this marketing revolution

So many blogs, so little time. Is it too late to start, now that the blogging craze has reached critical mass? Absolutely not!

Picture a focus group, a viral marketing campaign, and your own news station all rolled up into one. Now wrap that into a low-cost, easy-to-use, always-on Web site. That is what effective corporate blogging is.

At first, business blogging was ideal for free agents and entrepreneurs who needed a cheap way to get their message out. Now, the big guys are tapping the amazing power of a great blog. But the key word is great. A corporate blog that's boring or deceptive is worse than none at all.

In this indispensable guide, online marketing consultant Debbie Weil explores all aspects of corporate blogging, answering important questions such as:
• How much time will it take?
• What about the legal risks?
• Who in my company should blog?
• What are the best corporate blogs out there?

In an informal, provocative style and without technical jargon, Weil explains how to create a blog that's engaging, smart, and likely to grow an audience.

Customer Reviews:

How to communicate "the inside story, the pulse, the personality of your company".......2007-06-08

Frankly, I am astonished by the rapid growth of blogging and, especially, by the rapidly increasing adoption of blogging as a primary (not exclusive) medium for corporate communications, both internal and external. There are several dozen excellent books now in print that explains this phenomenon (Debbie Weil identifies many of them in her "Recommended Reading" section) and this book is certainly one of them. As I began to read it, I was immediately reminded of an incident decades ago when Vince Lombardi (the new head coach of the Green Bay Packers) met for the team for the first time and announced that he would begin with basics. He held up a leather spheroid and said, "Gentlemen, this is a football." It is widely reported that Max Magee then responded, "Coach, could you please slow down? You're going too fast."

Wisely, Weil assumes that her reader knows nothing about blogging. (That is probably true of many, if not most of those who read her book.) She begins with the basics. In fact, in the first chapter, she responds to the "Top Twenty Questions About Corporate Blogging." At this point, I presume to add that almost everything she says about corporate blogging is relevant to non-corporate blogging, with the obvious exceptions being information and suggestions with regard to creating an institutional blog mechanism. But even so, such mechanisms seek to attract and involve human beings and must thus be designed and administered with a full accommodation of basics.

With all due respect to the value of the FAQ section, each reader will have other questions and Weill is well aware of that as she begins her narrative with a "quick romp through the corporate blogosphere" (i.e. background and early development), addresses common fears about blogging (e.g. allocation of resources, contingent legal liability, loss of control.... "the mother of all fears"), determination of ROB (i.e. return on blog), tools and technology needed, and "making the case for blogging to the boss." Along the way, Weil includes (in Chapter 7) her "Top Ten Tips to Write an Effective Business Blog." Then in the final chapter, she shares her thoughts about "what's next," followed by a "Bonus Resources" section that, all by itself, is worth much more than the cost of the book. One man's opinion, its value is increased by a factor of at least ten if the material is absorbed and digested within the frame-of-reference established by the ten chapters that precede it. Suggestion: Read the entire book in chapter sequence, highlighting whichever passages catch your eye; then, after reading Chapter 10, set the book aside for a few days before you focus on the "Bonus Resources" section.

Many readers will especially of Weill's provision of summaries of key points made by others such as a list of nine ways to use an internal blog suggested by Shel Holz (Pages 31-32) and the "Thomas Nelson Blogging Guidelines" (Pages 165-168) that, according to Weill, make clear "what the business reason is for encouraging [Nelson] employees to blog: to open the door and offer a peak inside one of the world's largest publishers." There is also an abundance of real-world examples throughout the narrative that illustrate the given key point, be it a "do" or a "don't."

Only after having read and then re-read this book did I conclude that, at least for me, the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 4, "A Baker's Dozen: 12 Plus 1 Ways to Use a Corporate Blog." Once again, as she does in previous and subsequent chapters, Weill inserts a brief and insightful excerpt from another source: Hugh Macleod's response to the question, "What's a Global Microbrand?" By the time the reader has arrived at #13, she or he should not be surprised by Weill's assertion that "blogs are the new corporate Web site" and there are still 140 more pages ahead that offer additional evidence of how effective corporate blogging for all organizations (regardless of size or nature) can help them to increase and enhance relationships between and among all their stakeholders.

Obviously, it remains for corporate bloggers to (a) determine for themselves which of the 13 are most appropriate, (b) cross-rank their importance to achieving the given business objectives, (c) create an electronic infrastructure, and then (d) broaden and deepen internal and/or external participation, with primary emphasis on convenience in terms of both connectivity and interactivity. If asked to select a single source for information and counsel on how to introduce and then sustain effective corporate blogging, it would be Debbie Weil's book.

Avoids material covered elsewhere, addresses real world issues .......2007-02-07

Like many others, I consider Debbie Weil one of my favorite marketing writers. My husband has a 2-inch thick, 3-ring binder of many of the previous columns and newsletters. Her writing is concise, focused, but never dull, and so are her blogs.

Debbie was one of the first to recognize the potential of corporate blogging, and it was a natural fit.

Debbie Weil's Corporate Blogging Book is an outstanding example of what a genuinely helpful non-fiction book should be.

It begins with a "fast read" chapter that gets your attention: "Top Twenty Questions about Corporate Blogging." She avoids ground already covered, and focuses on corporate blogging objectives and objections.

Those who want to introduce blogging to their firm will appreciate the way Debbie candidly addresses reasons for corporate hesitation, and shows how to overcome frequently-heard objections.

Debbie outlines a detailed plan for implementing a corporate blogging program that addresses corporate issues, rather than getting sidetracked on soon-to-be-obsolete technical issues or "fad of the moment" promises. Numerous examples, questions, quotes, and resources round out the package.

Good resource for business communicators.......2007-01-31

I have to start with a disclaimer before going into the review of this book; I know Debbie Weil personnally and she interviewed me for the purpose of this book. That means I am biased but I will try to keep this as objective as possible.

Writing a book on corporate blogging is not an easy task. A lot of books have been written when the "hype cycle" on blogging was at its highest and not all of those books were excellent or even relevant for that matter. The author here had an even more daunting task; to write about a new medium but also try to explain how blogging works in a corporate environment.

I definitely think Debbie Weil has managed to write a business book on an activity that was/still is considered as something "16 year olds do" by most business communicators and professionals. Thanks to her extensive network of business people & leaders in the blogosphere she has managed to collect an impressive amount of case studies from the corporate world.

This is not a book about theories or the promise that sometime the market will be one huge conversation... This is about return on investment, CEOs who blog and explains the why and how of business blogging.

Next to case studies from a multitude of companies Debbie takes the time to guide the reader to the more down to earth side of corporate blogging. She dedicates a whole chapter to "how to write for a blog" and another one on the more technological side of the medium. But even if blogging is closely linked to the internet and technology, Debbie never falls into the bits & bytes trap; all is explained with business people in mind.

Debbie also asks the right questions and answers them. She is not a blind believer but knows how to filter the correct information on the topic from her multitude of sources. Of course she also talks from experience. Her online presence is very strong and her blog is a "have to read" for people in Marketing and Communications. She doesn't hesitate to cover difficult topics such as the loss of control in online communications, legal pitfalls and questions if all CEOs should blog (of course not).

In the last chapter titled "What's Next ?" she even gives a potential view of what the next steps could be in the "new media" adventure of corporations. She covers such topics as citizen journalism, Web2.0 for business and the end of corporate speak. The final add on to the book is also something that every company can use as a source of inspiration; an extensive collection of the most well know corporate blogging policies from companies like IBM, Forrester and Sun topped with legal resources, blog design guidelines and references to other books on the subject.

What I liked most about this book is that it is written by someone who knows how to talk to business people and covers the corporate side of blogging through case studies, examples and interviews of professionals who have a real experience on the subject.

My only regret is that Debbie Weil didn't go deeper into the subject of RSS or Really Simple Syndication. It is a difficult topic to explain, especially in a business context but it is the single most important tool for business communicators that I have seen appearing in my 13 year career. And because it is so linked with blogging I would have liked to see more depth in the chapter covering it.

There, I included a "negative" so this review turns out to be objective after all.

Should Be Required Reading.......2007-01-26

As a web designer and internet marketer, I've suggested my client's start a blog for the past 2 years or so but the response wasn't great because of lack of understanding and fear on the client side about what a blog is all about. I tried my best to educate, but it was challenging and time consuming. So when Debbie's Weil's book was published I ran to get a copy and devoured it.

She addressed all the concerns and questions my client's had allowing me to be better prepared. So with the new knowledge in hand, I approached one of my clients again and this time they said yes! I was able to address all their questions and fears much more effectively and I even left the book for them to read - which they did.

So if you've wanted to start a blog or are trying to convince your client's to begin one, I suggest you put The Corporate Blogging Book on your required reading list. It's that good.

-Leslie Trosset, Pres.
[...].

Not quite everything.......2007-01-16

A lot of repetitious platitudes about the philosophy (feminine viewpoint) of writing blogs. Very little on how to do it. Where do I get blogging software? How about some reviews of blogging software? How do I set up a blog web site? How do I set up "RSS feed"?. Or for that matter why do I want an "RSS Feed"? I'm not a dummy or a complete idiot since I do maintain some web sites and can write JSP, Java Script, and am reasonably adept with Dreamweaver. I also passed three English courses at a presitgious university. So If I can't write, it's my own fault. But I sure cannot do a blog without more information than I gained from this book.

Average customer rating: Good read and reference A marketing book that explains a new approach to use when promoting yourself, your services, and/or your products! A must read for companies in or entering the blogosphere A must read for marketers From read-only to read/write Internet

The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media Paul Gillin Manufacturer: Quill Driver Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Retailing | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Direct | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books Web Marketing | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Blogging & Blogs | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Investing | Personal Finance | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Similar Items: The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build Your Business Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) Citizen Marketers: When People Are the Message ASIN: 1884956653 Release Date: 2007-03-01

Product Description

The influence of bloggers, podcasters, and users of other social media is profoundly disrupting the mainstream media and marketing industries. Paul Gillin s The New Influencers explores these forces, who these new influencers are, their goals and motivations, takes a look at the changes they have initiated, and offers strategies for marketing within this dynamic new macrocosm. The New Influencers explores: Why social media are now so influential in consumer decisions Interacting with those within the blogosphere How to take advantage of this new medium The need for complete transparency Strategies for both small and large businesses Whether your company or organization should start a blog

Customer Reviews:

Good read and reference.......2007-08-11

Paul did an excellent job in describing the landscape of social media. The book seems to be a little bias towards blogger who are journalist. This would make one think that writing style dictate who are influencers not their knowledge. People in corporate communications, public relations, reputation risk management, and marketing should read this book. It is the future.

A marketing book that explains a new approach to use when promoting yourself, your services, and/or your products!.......2007-07-22

I'm one of the New Influencers! Yes, that's right. I write book reviews on Amazon about products that other people sell. I'm either helping or hurting those sales. Thus, I'm a new influencer within the meaning of this book.

I liked this book a lot. It was well-written and very informative. Not that it told me anything I probably didn't know since I use the Internet in a large part of my day-to-day life. But it documents what I believe to be reality when it comes to using the Internet to promote and market oneself, his services, and his products.

The book has 17 chapters as follows:

1. The origins of social media
2. From chaos, structure
3. Enthusiasts
4. Influencer profile - the Gadget King
5. Measures of influence
6. Corporate conversations
7. Influencer profile - the Corporate Renegade
8. Small is beautiful
9. Putting "public" back into public relations
10. Influencer profile - the Marketer
11. The talkers
12. Influencer profile - the Sound Man
13. Tools of the trade
14. Influencer profile - the Toolmaker
15. Going viral
16. Influencer profile - the Guerilla
17. Next stop

This book will help you harness the power of the Web in order to further your marketing efforts. You can play the game as a mere participant. Or, after reading this book, you can play the game as a leader and having the masses working for you for free the way Amazon has me writing book reviews. 5 stars!

A must read for companies in or entering the blogosphere.......2007-07-13

Paul does an excellent job explaining how the playing field has shifted in the age of social media and explains how companies can leverage it to their benefit.If you are someone who is new to social media or a veteran you will take away some valuable insights from this book.

A must read for marketers.......2007-07-12

Paul Gillin has provided a tremendous resource for everyone involved in marketing and public relations. Actually, for anyone who wants to learn what this 'New Media' revolution is all about. The book is supported by numerous real world case studies that demonstrate the power of new media and the rise of The New Influencers.

What I especially liked was the diversity of topics covered, everything from political and military blogging to consumer marketing and online activism. This book is the best I've read on the new media and its impact on marketing and PR.

From read-only to read/write Internet.......2007-07-03

What makes The New Influencers so credible is that Paul Gillan combines his experiences going from an old media publisher to a new media company, with a vision of how that transformation is only the beginning of a broader trend toward the explosion of social and professional communities. He draws on his work life, research and observations to explain why and how marketing must transform from being an annoyance to a source of give-and-take value for customers. As a Web entrepreneur and marketing professional I not only received great ideas from this book but was able to form a better mental model of how these trends apply to my businesses. Nice job Paul...congratulations.

Books:

1. National Security and The Nuclear Dilemma, 1945-1991
2. Networking with the Affluent
3. Operations Management & Student CD Package (8th Edition)
4. Payback: Reaping the Rewards of Innovation
5. PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam
6. Proactive Sales Management: How to Lead, Motivate, and Stay Ahead of the Game
7. Public Relations: The Complete Guide
8. Quantitative Methods for Business (with Crystal Ball Pro 2000 v7.1, CD-ROM, and InfoTrac )
9. Real Estate License Exams For Dummies
10. Relax Your Way to Thin! Hypnosis Weight Loss Motivation

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