As I looked over the program, I had to admit that I wasn’t very impressed. There are tons of sessions at Blogworld, and they’re amazing for the right audience. If you are a real estate agent, a mommy blogger, a beginning podcaster or any number of a thousand other types of bloggers, then you need to put Blogworld onto your radar as a must-attend event. The changing face of blogging, and the importance that it continues to gather, makes for a great conference with truly engaging speakers.
But I don’t really fall into those definitions. I’m a blogger for a living. I find and write technology news. While I’m certain that there are things that I could learn from the sessions, they just didn’t really interest me. What I wanted to see was the expo floor, to get a feeling for not only what people are finding interesting, but also what it is that the businesses that surround blogging think is important today.
The fact of it is, as many people have pointed out, you can monetize any blog if you spend the time to do it. But wait, isn’t blogging about passion and writing about the things that you really love? Well, yes. It certainly is. But why can’t you make a buck or two off of it as well? The face of blogging continues to change, and with it so do the options for rich media, advertising and monetization. Of course, as you add more media, that takes more resources, and there’s no lack of choices for managing the hosting side of your content, either.
Rich Media
It wasn’t long ago that we (as bloggers on the whole) started embedding audio files, then video files came. From there we went to more in-depth, informative embeds. Whether it’s a PDF, a presentation or some other type of content, that content is king in setting your blog out from the crowd. Simply stated, it’s not enough anymore to just write about a subject. That market is too crowded. To stand out, you need to provide that something extra that people might not even be looking for.
Judging by the floor of the expo, there are more businesses that are capitalizing on this trend as well. From platforms (the new features on Blogger.com are stunning) to sites such as BlogTalkRadio that are specializing in combining your blogging platform with podcasting, the field is open and huge.
Advertising
It’s no longer just a matter of sticking Google AdSense into your site. Now, as your traffic grows, there are options abounding. Whether it is a service that will allow you to cross promote with another site, or ones that will allow you to link keywords for only certain users, there is a world of options out there.
More businesses are learning of the power of blogs, even the ones that are considered “small” by comparison. As they learn, and as they look for ways to capitalize on that, there are services all around the expo floor that are finding ways to introduce the advertiser to the blog and vice versa.
Everything Else
Facing facts, there are choices far beyond anything any one person can summarize when it comes to blogging and platforms and advertising and all the rest. But the models continue to change on a daily basis. The ideas and platforms that inspire and empower us as bloggers are in a shift right now that is a welcome change.
Is this what it comes down to, though? Are bloggers, and more importantly blog readers, ready for more signs of blogging as a real business? There’s no arguing that it’s already showing its chops for the money-making world, but at what cost?
The other question, from us, is what you want to see. Is the introduction of more rich media and more in depth posting something that you love to read here on The Next Web? What could add to our content? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to link your own site if you’re proud of what you’re doing.
You take your staff on kayaking trips. You order pizza for meetings. But who cares about the occasional extras if your workers aren't delighted to be in their workspace day-in and day-out? We reviewed the best in office amenities and policies recently covered in Inc. and on Inc.com for the highlights of companies making their offices into places their employees love coming to in the morning.
1. Stay organized.
Whether it's business plans or business cards, conference binders or marketing copy, entrepreneurs have a lot of information to track. But with so many important managerial matters on your plate, it's hard to put a tidy workspace high on your priority list. Who knows that better than the employees who work in a disorganized or cluttered office? Their productivity and motivation can suffer when everyone's not on the same page about where important information, tools, and supplies can be found. Laura Leist, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers, which is based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, explains: "When you're talking about organizing your workspace you need to make a decision about what needs to be organized and there's five areas that you can look at." These five areas are paper, general stuff such as office supplies, your space and furniture layout, electronic information, and time management. Read more.
2. Make it comfy.
"Designing a comfortable office environment is about more than aesthetics; careful attention to design can give a boost to employee happiness. In the current economy, the focus is often on leasing office space based on price, with less attention paid to design, layout and amenities. Smart business leaders, however, think beyond the existing layout and furniture options when moving into a new office or refurbishing a space. That fresh coat of paint and new carpet your landlord gave you when you signed the lease is great, but there are other small investments of time and money that can transform your office into a more productive workspace," writes Lois Goodell, principal and the director of interior design at CBT Architects, in an Inc.com guide on creating a productive office environment. In short, making a comfortable environment takes more than a sturdy desk and comfortable chair – it incorporates quality lighting, good ventilation, and a quality heating-and-cooling system. Read more.
3. Give everyone a say.
It's an extreme example, but when Thomas Walter, CEO of Tasty Catering in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, encountered Jim Collins's Good to Great, he asked each of his employees to read it. Inc. editor-at-large Leigh Buchanan writes: "Tasty Catering formed two Good to Great councils, which make all strategic decisions for the company. Each council has eight charter members drawn from across the company—culinary workers, clerical staff, drivers. One council conducts business in English, the other in Spanish, which is the first language for about a third of the work force. At least one of the three owners—Walter and his two brothers—sits in with each group. The councils hold meetings a few days apart, and an outside translator produces copies of the combined minutes in both languages. Each month, two random employees are chosen to join the councils for the month." She quotes Anna Wollin, an account executive who joined one of the councils when they were formed, who says: "It puts us all on an even playing field. I had been with the company less than a year, and my opinion was as important as an owner's opinion." Read more.
4. Consider openness.
It's not right for every team of workers, but the trend today is to support collaboration, in all its forms: mentoring, problem solving, routine communication and information sharing. Goodell writes: "To do so, create more open spaces in the office, from workspaces with low panels that make it easier to communicate to all-day cafés where employees not only eat, but also meet to work." It's also important to consider what happens when someone in a large open office environment needs to concentrate on a big project or lead a conference call. Open spaces only work when employees have access to areas where they can focus on a specific task. One solution is "hoteling," offices that can be reserved or used at will when needed. These offices can be small, but should be highly functional. They should be equipped with good lighting, phone systems and technology necessary to complete critical tasks. Read more.
5. Make the workplace a community.
In this year's Top Small Company Workplaces, Leigh Buchanan interviewed Bill Witherspoon about his open-book management and leadership style at Sky Factory. His employees not only love the clear and open communication structure, but also love helping each other. Witherspoon explains why: "I think of our factory as a community, and service is the core of community. There are two kinds of service. One is: I do this for you, and I expect a return. For example, I provide good customer service, and I expect loyalty. The other kind of service is selfless. I do something for you without thought of a return. I help you spontaneously and without thinking about it. That second kind of service is powerful. When someone has a moment of free time, how wonderful if she automatically thinks, Now, what can I do to help someone else? At the start of our Friday meetings, the leader for that week tells an appreciative story about someone at the company and presents the person with $25. Often, the story involves an unselfish, unsolicited offer of help." Read more.
Juan Williams: Fox <b>News</b> Lets 'Black Guy With A Hispanic Name' Host <b>...</b>
Juan Williams said Tuesday that he's still upset about his firing from NPR, and added that NPR does not understand the Fox News culture or audience. In an interview with Baltimore Sun columnist David Zurawik, Williams said he remains ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: Social Media Secrets
Pssst. We've got something important to tell you about a new tool that can totally transform your business. In terms of upfront investment, there is no cost,
Shepard Smith Inks New Fox <b>News</b> Deal – Deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Channel's signature news anchor Shepard Smith has signed a new multi-year deal to continue as the channel's lead news anchor as well as anchor of FOX Report and Studio B. Smith's most recent pact with Fox News inked ...
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bench craft company complaints
Juan Williams: Fox <b>News</b> Lets 'Black Guy With A Hispanic Name' Host <b>...</b>
Juan Williams said Tuesday that he's still upset about his firing from NPR, and added that NPR does not understand the Fox News culture or audience. In an interview with Baltimore Sun columnist David Zurawik, Williams said he remains ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: Social Media Secrets
Pssst. We've got something important to tell you about a new tool that can totally transform your business. In terms of upfront investment, there is no cost,
Shepard Smith Inks New Fox <b>News</b> Deal – Deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Channel's signature news anchor Shepard Smith has signed a new multi-year deal to continue as the channel's lead news anchor as well as anchor of FOX Report and Studio B. Smith's most recent pact with Fox News inked ...
bench craft company complaints bench craft company complaints
As I looked over the program, I had to admit that I wasn’t very impressed. There are tons of sessions at Blogworld, and they’re amazing for the right audience. If you are a real estate agent, a mommy blogger, a beginning podcaster or any number of a thousand other types of bloggers, then you need to put Blogworld onto your radar as a must-attend event. The changing face of blogging, and the importance that it continues to gather, makes for a great conference with truly engaging speakers.
But I don’t really fall into those definitions. I’m a blogger for a living. I find and write technology news. While I’m certain that there are things that I could learn from the sessions, they just didn’t really interest me. What I wanted to see was the expo floor, to get a feeling for not only what people are finding interesting, but also what it is that the businesses that surround blogging think is important today.
The fact of it is, as many people have pointed out, you can monetize any blog if you spend the time to do it. But wait, isn’t blogging about passion and writing about the things that you really love? Well, yes. It certainly is. But why can’t you make a buck or two off of it as well? The face of blogging continues to change, and with it so do the options for rich media, advertising and monetization. Of course, as you add more media, that takes more resources, and there’s no lack of choices for managing the hosting side of your content, either.
Rich Media
It wasn’t long ago that we (as bloggers on the whole) started embedding audio files, then video files came. From there we went to more in-depth, informative embeds. Whether it’s a PDF, a presentation or some other type of content, that content is king in setting your blog out from the crowd. Simply stated, it’s not enough anymore to just write about a subject. That market is too crowded. To stand out, you need to provide that something extra that people might not even be looking for.
Judging by the floor of the expo, there are more businesses that are capitalizing on this trend as well. From platforms (the new features on Blogger.com are stunning) to sites such as BlogTalkRadio that are specializing in combining your blogging platform with podcasting, the field is open and huge.
Advertising
It’s no longer just a matter of sticking Google AdSense into your site. Now, as your traffic grows, there are options abounding. Whether it is a service that will allow you to cross promote with another site, or ones that will allow you to link keywords for only certain users, there is a world of options out there.
More businesses are learning of the power of blogs, even the ones that are considered “small” by comparison. As they learn, and as they look for ways to capitalize on that, there are services all around the expo floor that are finding ways to introduce the advertiser to the blog and vice versa.
Everything Else
Facing facts, there are choices far beyond anything any one person can summarize when it comes to blogging and platforms and advertising and all the rest. But the models continue to change on a daily basis. The ideas and platforms that inspire and empower us as bloggers are in a shift right now that is a welcome change.
Is this what it comes down to, though? Are bloggers, and more importantly blog readers, ready for more signs of blogging as a real business? There’s no arguing that it’s already showing its chops for the money-making world, but at what cost?
The other question, from us, is what you want to see. Is the introduction of more rich media and more in depth posting something that you love to read here on The Next Web? What could add to our content? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to link your own site if you’re proud of what you’re doing.
You take your staff on kayaking trips. You order pizza for meetings. But who cares about the occasional extras if your workers aren't delighted to be in their workspace day-in and day-out? We reviewed the best in office amenities and policies recently covered in Inc. and on Inc.com for the highlights of companies making their offices into places their employees love coming to in the morning.
1. Stay organized.
Whether it's business plans or business cards, conference binders or marketing copy, entrepreneurs have a lot of information to track. But with so many important managerial matters on your plate, it's hard to put a tidy workspace high on your priority list. Who knows that better than the employees who work in a disorganized or cluttered office? Their productivity and motivation can suffer when everyone's not on the same page about where important information, tools, and supplies can be found. Laura Leist, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers, which is based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, explains: "When you're talking about organizing your workspace you need to make a decision about what needs to be organized and there's five areas that you can look at." These five areas are paper, general stuff such as office supplies, your space and furniture layout, electronic information, and time management. Read more.
2. Make it comfy.
"Designing a comfortable office environment is about more than aesthetics; careful attention to design can give a boost to employee happiness. In the current economy, the focus is often on leasing office space based on price, with less attention paid to design, layout and amenities. Smart business leaders, however, think beyond the existing layout and furniture options when moving into a new office or refurbishing a space. That fresh coat of paint and new carpet your landlord gave you when you signed the lease is great, but there are other small investments of time and money that can transform your office into a more productive workspace," writes Lois Goodell, principal and the director of interior design at CBT Architects, in an Inc.com guide on creating a productive office environment. In short, making a comfortable environment takes more than a sturdy desk and comfortable chair – it incorporates quality lighting, good ventilation, and a quality heating-and-cooling system. Read more.
3. Give everyone a say.
It's an extreme example, but when Thomas Walter, CEO of Tasty Catering in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, encountered Jim Collins's Good to Great, he asked each of his employees to read it. Inc. editor-at-large Leigh Buchanan writes: "Tasty Catering formed two Good to Great councils, which make all strategic decisions for the company. Each council has eight charter members drawn from across the company—culinary workers, clerical staff, drivers. One council conducts business in English, the other in Spanish, which is the first language for about a third of the work force. At least one of the three owners—Walter and his two brothers—sits in with each group. The councils hold meetings a few days apart, and an outside translator produces copies of the combined minutes in both languages. Each month, two random employees are chosen to join the councils for the month." She quotes Anna Wollin, an account executive who joined one of the councils when they were formed, who says: "It puts us all on an even playing field. I had been with the company less than a year, and my opinion was as important as an owner's opinion." Read more.
4. Consider openness.
It's not right for every team of workers, but the trend today is to support collaboration, in all its forms: mentoring, problem solving, routine communication and information sharing. Goodell writes: "To do so, create more open spaces in the office, from workspaces with low panels that make it easier to communicate to all-day cafés where employees not only eat, but also meet to work." It's also important to consider what happens when someone in a large open office environment needs to concentrate on a big project or lead a conference call. Open spaces only work when employees have access to areas where they can focus on a specific task. One solution is "hoteling," offices that can be reserved or used at will when needed. These offices can be small, but should be highly functional. They should be equipped with good lighting, phone systems and technology necessary to complete critical tasks. Read more.
5. Make the workplace a community.
In this year's Top Small Company Workplaces, Leigh Buchanan interviewed Bill Witherspoon about his open-book management and leadership style at Sky Factory. His employees not only love the clear and open communication structure, but also love helping each other. Witherspoon explains why: "I think of our factory as a community, and service is the core of community. There are two kinds of service. One is: I do this for you, and I expect a return. For example, I provide good customer service, and I expect loyalty. The other kind of service is selfless. I do something for you without thought of a return. I help you spontaneously and without thinking about it. That second kind of service is powerful. When someone has a moment of free time, how wonderful if she automatically thinks, Now, what can I do to help someone else? At the start of our Friday meetings, the leader for that week tells an appreciative story about someone at the company and presents the person with $25. Often, the story involves an unselfish, unsolicited offer of help." Read more.
bench craft company complaints
Juan Williams: Fox <b>News</b> Lets 'Black Guy With A Hispanic Name' Host <b>...</b>
Juan Williams said Tuesday that he's still upset about his firing from NPR, and added that NPR does not understand the Fox News culture or audience. In an interview with Baltimore Sun columnist David Zurawik, Williams said he remains ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: Social Media Secrets
Pssst. We've got something important to tell you about a new tool that can totally transform your business. In terms of upfront investment, there is no cost,
Shepard Smith Inks New Fox <b>News</b> Deal – Deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Channel's signature news anchor Shepard Smith has signed a new multi-year deal to continue as the channel's lead news anchor as well as anchor of FOX Report and Studio B. Smith's most recent pact with Fox News inked ...
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Juan Williams: Fox <b>News</b> Lets 'Black Guy With A Hispanic Name' Host <b>...</b>
Juan Williams said Tuesday that he's still upset about his firing from NPR, and added that NPR does not understand the Fox News culture or audience. In an interview with Baltimore Sun columnist David Zurawik, Williams said he remains ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: Social Media Secrets
Pssst. We've got something important to tell you about a new tool that can totally transform your business. In terms of upfront investment, there is no cost,
Shepard Smith Inks New Fox <b>News</b> Deal – Deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Channel's signature news anchor Shepard Smith has signed a new multi-year deal to continue as the channel's lead news anchor as well as anchor of FOX Report and Studio B. Smith's most recent pact with Fox News inked ...
bench craft company complaints bench craft company complaints
Juan Williams: Fox <b>News</b> Lets 'Black Guy With A Hispanic Name' Host <b>...</b>
Juan Williams said Tuesday that he's still upset about his firing from NPR, and added that NPR does not understand the Fox News culture or audience. In an interview with Baltimore Sun columnist David Zurawik, Williams said he remains ...
Small Business <b>News</b>: Social Media Secrets
Pssst. We've got something important to tell you about a new tool that can totally transform your business. In terms of upfront investment, there is no cost,
Shepard Smith Inks New Fox <b>News</b> Deal – Deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Channel's signature news anchor Shepard Smith has signed a new multi-year deal to continue as the channel's lead news anchor as well as anchor of FOX Report and Studio B. Smith's most recent pact with Fox News inked ...
bench craft company complaints bench craft company complaints
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