Blogger Stories

Blogger Stories: Stephan Spencer

Living in New Zealand doesn't stop Stephan Spencer from building relationships on a global basis. Blogs provide an opportunity for him to hobnob virtually with the digerati all over the world. In addition to writing a successful business blog, Stephan recently launched a blog for the greater good. He wanted to create a space where people can share ideas on how to make world a better place. One person. One blog. Building into ideas that may change a life.

Blogger Story Teller: Stephan Spencer, Stephan Spencer's Scatterings, Changes For Good. 

Most people who want to establish themselves as a thought leader write a book. I've heard from author friends how financially unrewarding writing a book is (in terms of compensation per hour) and how demanding it is on one's time (thousands of hours on a very compressed schedule). Recognizing that I didn't have that kind of time to invest, I decided to take an alternate path. I figured a blog could be just as successful in building up my thought leadership status, but with a lot less effort. That's not to say I'll never write a book, but to date it hasn't made it to the at the top of my priority list.

 

With my thought leadership goal in mind, I set out in 2004 to create a blog that, contrary to popular (business blogging) wisdom both then and now, would focus not on one small niche but a broad range of topics covering all types of Internet marketing -- including email marketing, e-commerce, search engine optimization, usability and so forth. Granted, it would have been easier to acquire links in the early stages if I had zeroed in on a particular niche, but I think this the approach I took has served me well.

 

Blogger Story: Andy Hayler

From London, Andy Hayler's story is about the influence a blogger can have on a stranger's career. Just goes to show you never know who is reading your work or how your words can change a life.

Blogger Story Teller: Andy Hayler, Andy One Enterprisesoft

Corporate blogs can be dismal affairs, as no one wants to read a (sometime not very subtly disguised) piece of PR for a company.  Hence I have tried with my blog just to talk about real projects I have been involved with, stories from the industry and reaction to software industry events. 

The most telling and unexpected feedback I have had was from a senior consultant who recently joined my company.  He was a very smart guy and had multiple job offers, but he emailed me to say that “the reason I joined Kalido was your blog”. I don’t think we have yet begun to fully understand the power of blogs.