David Young | Branding Blog - Marketing Advice and Advertising Strategy for Local Business Owners

Why to Blog

I've got no excuse for not blogging up a storm lately. None. So sue me.

Just browsing through my Typepad stats though makes me excited all over again. Search engines still LOVE blogs. Non-bloggers would be amazed at what you can become known for simply by blogging.

A month ago I took some photos of a Mercedes G500 that I was evaluating for my buddy Vince at The Weekend Drive. I posted them on a Typepad Photo Gallery, but really didn't reference them anywhere else.

At the time of this post, the gallery is the #4 result on the Google search phrase "Mercedes G500". Go figure.

By the way, there are some pretty cool pictures there and you can get an idea of the type of whacko place I live in. Old WWII munitions bunkers. It's all decommissioned. However, we still have active Minuteman III ICBM's buried all over the place here.

A Google search for "Branding" puts this blog at #10. Not bad. Rock on, Google.

Why We Blog

I've been in a blog slump lately. No explanation. No excuses. Just a commitment to start up the stream of blather again.

If you're a business owner (and I know quite a few of you are) then along with your daily diet of reading blogs, you should be writing one. There are numerous reasons for doing so, and the excuse of being time-poor just won't cut it if you're serious about becoming a thought-leader in your business segment, which usually goes hand-in-hand with being a market-leader.

The Branding Blog is still less than a year old, and in my mind I'm still a small-market guy with the good fortune of being hooked up with some amazing people, my Wizard of Ads Partners and Roy and Pennie Williams.

So, why in blue blazes would people like Laura Ries, John Zagula, Seth Godin, Ankesh Kothari, John Winsor and a bunch of others be sending me books, news releases and articles?

Creating this blog and focusing on branding issues has been like staking a claim in a gold rush. You put down your stakes, file your claim, stumble across a nugget and next thing you know people refer to you as a gold miner. 

If you want to be known for something, why aren't you doing something about it? Blogging is the easiest thing you could do to "get your name out."

Attention Fast Company

When Michele Miller's video was posted on her blog, you noticed it. I just wanted you to know that Michele and her blog make a cameo appearance in my video. Now I've discovered that she has ANOTHER BLOG!

(Note to other bloggers: When you have your own Rex Williams video, you'll know you have arrived!) ;-)

Lip-Sticking: New Book on Blogging

Well, I think Yvonne DiVita is about the coolest person I know tonight. She's said some awfully kind words about my blogging book over at her Lip-Sticking blog. If you're not familiar with her blog or her book, check it out today!

Lip-Sticking: New Book on Blogging

Ever seen a Square Zebra?

Danielle LaFleur was kind enough to stop by here and post a great comment today. I checked out her blog and so should you. Here's a paragraph I clipped out of her about page:

My purpose for this website is to give my clients tips and tricks on how to better manage their work flow using technology. To keep up with current trends in technology and small business happenings. Adding a personal touch to the industry. (I will try not to drudge on endlessly about data packets.) *smile*

That's why every business should be blogging. WAAAAY down at the bottom of the page, under interests, you'll see: Hardware implementation, software training/teaching, communications, network design and maintenance." When Danielle's clients get approached by ANY other firm that offers these services, do you think they will even hesitate before saying "No Thanks?" Only if Danielle really messes up. It's all about relationship building. What are you doing to cement your customers to your firm?

A Blog to Watch: Making Ads Work

I am soooo glad to see that my Australian colleague Craig Arthur has started a blog.
This is going to be great stuff. Craig has some great stories to tell. I can't wait to read them. Although some of his best stories will never make it on the blog. They must be told over late night drinks in darkened lounges. Cheers Craig!

Lip-Sticking

Another new blog on marketing to women. Yvonne Davita also has a new e-book with a title that is guaranteed to get your attention!

Welcome to the blogosphere Yvonne, and best wishes with your book.

Lip-Sticking