Benefits Of Small Business Blogging: BlogWorldExpo with Scott Allen

Liveblogging from the BlogWorldExpo, in the session on small business blogging.  This has particular resonance for recruiters, as I regularly point out that third party recruiters can increase placement fees by at least $100,000 per year with a focused blog.

1) Industry Networking:  As I've proved on this blog, building out your online network with a blog is a great way to establish your expertise to your audience.  I'm a blog expert with a background in recruiting.  That gives me a unique perspective on the manner that is now broadcast to over 100,000 people each year.  That's a trust that could not have been generated on my own.

2) SEO Benefit.  I rank on the first page of Google for hundreds of search terms for recruiting, St Louis consulting, headhunters, specific technology interviews, and even random office pranks.

Update: 
Scott is covering the Do's and Don'ts.  He says delete your dead blog if you stop writing for good.

I'll be asking him questions about recruiting, because he was involved in the recruiting blogging early, if I recall correctly.

I'll tell you this - Scott gets it.  He says spend 50-60% of your time off blog, reading, commenting.  it's like he took our training (He didn't, he just gets it).

Time Invested:  Scott says 2-3 hours a week blogging, and 2-3 hours off blog.  Someone asked if that was a lot of time to spend as an entrepreneur.  He gave an example that showed an increase of 15% in business directly attributable to the blog.  I commented that you can make $60-100,000 as a recruiter using a blog.

I already have a website.  Should I add a blog?  He points out that two companies used LiveJournal and MySpace to make money.  I never thought about it that way.  You go to where your audience is.