Business Blog Wire

Over the last few days I’ve learned a few lessons.  I’ve been helping Know More Media start up a blog called NewOrleansTruth, which is about the experiences of people in the New Orleans area since Hurricane Katrina.  It’s a not-for-profit blog, which makes it different from most of our blogs.

The most rewarding part has been connecting with people I’ve never met  before.  The most difficult part has been correcting misunderstandings.  Follow my recent comments made using coComment and you’ll see what I mean.

So I’ve learned the following lessons, which I think relate well to business blogging:

1 – Talk to as many people as possible before you launch a blog.  Specifically, talk to people who already write blogs about your proposed topic.  We at Know More Media didn’t do a very good job of contacting New Orleans area bloggers to ask their opinions and advice before starting up NewOrleansTruth, and as a result, some have gotten all kinds of false impressions about it.  I’ve been working hard to correct that.  Next time, we’ll be more careful.

2 – Be patiently aware that misinformation can spread very quickly among bloggers.  I’ve had a few experiences lately where it seeemed that no sooner had I left a clarifying comment at one person’s blog, when another blogger had posted a hasty reaction based on the same misinformation.  I know that we are all human beings.  I make my share of reporting, editing, grammar, spelling, and other mistakes.  But I’ve had to develop more patience recently as I’ve watched falsehoods spread from person to person.

3 – Whatever you do, don’t stop talking.  That is, don’t cut off communication with others just because they disagree with you, make fun of you or ignore you.  Keep trying your best to show others that you’re interested in coming to mutually rewarding conclusions with them.  Yes, there are times to stop talking.  But remember that you’re not responsible for what others say or think – only how you influence and respond to them.

4 – Keep your sense of humor about you.  One commenter jokingly wondered if I (or perhaps someone with the same name) used to play guitar for the Cars.  Just roll with the punches and take the jabs in stride.

5 – Listen to and apply the advice of others whenever possible, and thank them for it.  ‘Nuff said.

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