My blogging friend Rich Brooks, of Flyte blog fame, just gave the best answer I’ve seen YET on the difference between a blog and a website.
When I tell people that we own 14 or so blogs and about 20 other websites, they almost always ask, ” What’s a blog ? “
Well, now I have an answer to use, until Rich comes up with a better one…and I quote :
” My answer is evolving, but in general I say that your Web site is your portfolio; it’s the best of what you have to offer and displays your business as you want the world to see it. A blog, on the other hand, is more an ongoing conversation you have with prospects and clients. It can help you establish yourself as an expert, post information quickly, and differentiate yourself from the competition…at least right now. “
The best part of that answer is that i didn’t have to come up with it and in everyday conversation, Rich will never know I stole it !
Thanks Rich !
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Not so fast, Mike! Little did you know that I might be reading your blog while I wait for my wife to get ready to go out.
All I ask for is .05 every time you use it in conversation. ;^)
Anyway, thanks for the props and keep up the good posts.
My pleasure to steal your stuff, Mr. Brooks, my pleasure.
I sent .65 by email…I’ll fax the rest.
I showed that quote ( as in used it on ) to the president of a $100 million corporation just this week. I’m now gonna be writing his corporate blog.
Thanks for the inspiration.
I served clients as an Internet business strategist for 5 years before starting my own professional service firm. Few corporations I worked with were either willing or able to enter the conversation the Internet was offering. The Cluetrain notion of markets as a conversation was utterly alien to them.
Do you see this changing? Where? Why? How?
I am, of course, all for the change. And I believe it will be a competitive advantage for those companies that do.
I think the difference between blogs (and other forms of social applicaitons like wiki) and Websites is a helpful one. But still it requires a willingness to abandon the old school vision of markets as monologues.
Something old is again new. Conversations are the ultimate disruptive technology. High touch delivered via high tech.
Nothing new under the sun.
Hey Michael,
I see the larger corporations slowly starting to give in to the notion of blogs. Made a breakthrough with one just last week.
Most of the success I’ve had in convincing them has been one-on-one with the CEO.
You have to be as or more of a dynamic personality than he is and ‘evangelize’ him.
If you explain it to IT and they pass it on, you’ve got no shot.
If you can’t talk with the decision maker, you’ve got no shot.
I don’t see that changing. Most of the middle managers out there have no clue as to what they’re doing at work, much less what’s happening in the world and it’s future.
All they’re sure of is this :
1. Bowling is Tuesday nite
2. Survivor is Thursday nite
3. Friday is payday
Unless you’re a very dynamic salesman, you’re not going to sell these poor souls anything out of their comfort zone.
They mostly think the internet is naked people and email, as that’s all they choose to expose themselves to.
I thought the Internet was people in pajamas and email – the naked part must be Web 2.0.
And you most certainly right about getting to the CEO. Middle managers are “controlled”.
Have you ever read Peter Block’s book Stewardship? It challenges the pure top-down approach as ultimately uncompetitive.
Haven’t read it yet, but I’ll put it on my Amazon wishlist.
Thanks for the tip !