The reason I did not post this in the business section is because I wanted us to have a general discussion on the subject. I know quite a few have blogs now and some of you for quite a long time. What do you think about them? Do you like writing them, do you like reading them (I do!). Do they have any use business wise, are they a pain to maintain? Most of all are they fun?

I've been thinking of starting one but knowing me, I'm afraid it's going to turn into a long rant about beads, life and everything that gets up my nose!

Nemea, ranting is what they're all about!

I like blogging, but I feel I'm probably too boring for anyone to read. I love to read other people's, I think it's because I'm nosey, and it's like looking through a window into someone's life.

I'm not sure it has much of an effect business wise, but it is interesting in an "added extra" behind the scenes kind of way.

Ollee

i like it cause it's my own little part of the internet where i can rant on and on about things like beads and glass, i find mine fun as you can proberbly tell by how often i blog

I also find them interesting - and not just the beady ones, I am a great fan of the cat ones (of which there are many and mainly US based people) but it is like reading someone's diary - and lets admit it, it is something that is tempting to most people!

I have toyed with it, but I know that I would not keep it up. When I was young my parents bought me a diary each year (at my request, 'cos I always liked the idea of keeping a diary) and by the end of January I had lost interest.

With a blog you do have to keep it up, if people see that it is not updated on a regular basis they just won't look at it again, even if you later have a lot of entries, they have already given up.

I do know that a website to remain up in Google rankings needs new input on a regular basis, so you could do that by incorporating a blog.

best regards
catherine-emma

Thanks for the advice guys. I was never one for diaries, I hated the idea of putting down my thoughts on paper for someone to dicover one day and read.

A blog is somehow different isn't it? You want people to read it so you have to make it interesting. I'll have to think long and hard about this one!

I don't know if the waffle on my website counts as a blog or not. Cos I am not really sure what makes a blog a blog?

Anyway, whatever it is, many of my customers seem to like it. It is a great notice board to let people know when there are new products in. On the personal side Foxy has been a great hit this summer!

It is nice for me too, to look back and see what happened and when. I was scrolling down the page the other day to see Foxy when he was a cub and couldn't get over how much he has grown. Now, if I had just stored those piccies on my computer, chances are I would never have gotten around to looking at them again and taking those little trips down memory lane.

I agree that they really need to be updated regularly though. I am shockingly bad at doing this! Also, I guess overall there comes a point where everyone in the world is too busy writing their own blog to go read anyone elses and we will all end up just talking (or rather typing) to ourselves

Emma

Which I suspect is how some people like it (talking to themselves that is and not listening to others)

Foxy has been the highlight of my summer. The only person he hasn't charmed is my 8 year old son who doesn't like him because "he eats chickies". The reason I gave him why we can't keep hens in the garden (we do get visits from foxes).

You see, if I had a blog, I could have linked to your fox story Emma! (never mind the beads....)

Lol to your son not liking Foxy!

I must say, we have our moments with not being so fond of him. Like when he ate our favourite garden pidgy for instance! This pigeon really was quite stupid, even by pigeon standards. But I am not sure that mean't he deserved to get ate. Still, law of the jungle I guess. I am not a vegetarian myself so have no right really to point the finger at Foxy for doing what comes naturally.

My neighbours used to keep chickens and let them wander around their garden loose when they were home. I think everyone in the surrounding houses ended up fox-watching for them and we would all ring my neighbour if we saw a fox about so she could go and put her "girls" in their chickey-house thing.

Emma

I have attended a couple of marketing seminars recently and it has been highlighted the importance of blogging. I have not taken the plunge as yet, mainly because of a lack of time. Blogging sites are blocked at work (I have a full time job) so its not something I can do at lunchtime and in the evening I am usually exhausted. However, it is an excellent idea and as soon as I can shoe horn an extra hour into my day, I will join the bloggers community!!

Alison

I love my blog! I tend to put in as much personal/family stuff as I do jewellery as I know my friends and family read it and it means they know what I'm up to... even when I've not got round to ringing/emailing them!

I also know that it helps with sales. A few recent customers have commented that they decided to buy from me after reading my blog and 'getting to know you'.

It's a way of presenting a human face to the world, while still having a very business like website.

Lol, so true!

My older brother complains that the only way he knows what is going on with the family is reading my blog!

I had to explain to him the alien concept of "picking up a phone, calling people and ASKING how they are!"

Men!

Emma

From a business point of view blogging actually makes really good sense. It is a great way to reach a larger audience and potential new customers and also helps eventually to get your other website higher up the google ranks - Provided of course you link from the blog to the website) I only started mine in March , I have 50 regular readers and it is already ranked 1/10 by Google - to have a link on a site which ranks 4/10 is fantastic so a quarter of the way there already. PS I have a gadget on my Toolbar so if you want to know what your site ranks let me know and i will go check or you can download the google toolbar.
As for getting bored of reading others I never do, in fact I have been known to nag people to get updating. After I check my emails each morning my second job is to check which linked blog has been updated
I personally prefer the blogs which mix work with the writers lives - I suppose its the fly on the wall syndrome to start with , but then it becomes more like being updated by friends. One of the key factors is to link up with other bloggers so that you are sharing links - that way your network of readers expands - and that's what social networking is all about really.

I agree with what Chris says. I'm not 100% certain that I've had any extra business through my blog, but it certainly doesn't hurt and I'm constatnly surprised by the people who tell me that they read my blog. My FIL reads it as a way of keeping more up to date with bits of family gossip as he lives and works in the Sultanate of Oman! I don't put tonnes in there about family, just snippets. I was going to use it purely for business, but, as Chris does, I much prefer reading blogs that mix business and personal.

Alright so I took your wise advice and I've started a blog. It's linked back (and forth) to my website and I think I've got all my listing boxes ticked. Now how the hell do I get people too find it? (apart from asking you lovely peeps anyway)