Tip #3: How to address *time* - still the top fear for corporate bloggers
	Book review: DL Byron & Steve Broback's Publish & Prosper
	Advance review copy of my book for active bloggers

Tip #3: How to address *time* - still the top fear factor for corporate bloggers
Preliminary results of my 2nd Annual Blogging & RSS Survey are in. And again *too much time* is the winner when it comes to fears about corporate blogging.

When asked what their "top concern" is about launching and maintaining a company blog, 59% say "the time it would take." The second biggest concern, at 57%, is "what to write about."

In last year's survey, 65% identified time as their top fear. 50% worried what to write about. [More survey results TK.]

Interesting, huh?!

The difference in responses between this year and last is enough to suggest that blogging is maturing as a marketing communications strategy. People are starting to really confront the "what in heck do we write about question."

Recast the *time* issue as one of *frequency* and stop worrying

Here's my quick tip for how to approach the time hurdle. Think instead about frequency. Don't worry too much as long as you post once every week or 10 days. And focus on the quality of your content. In fact, consistent - but less frequent - blogging may become more effective.

HP blogger Eric Kintz has written a widely-referenced blog entry about this. His take on the frequency issue:

- cutting through the blog clutter and reaching your target audience with useful information is more important than "how often"
- RSS fatigue is setting in (Eric cites Seth Godin on this theory)
- more senior execs might blog if they realized it was OK to post occasionally... as long as you keep at it

Do these sound like the same rules that apply to effective e-newsletters or ezines? They should. E-newsletters aren't dead, BTW.

Hanging in there for the long haul is what counts

As the blogosphere matures - and more and more companies join in - it's those organizations who stick it out over the long haul who will reap the most out of blogging as a business strategy.

So relax. It's July and mid-summer here in D.C. Although truth be known I am starting to count down the *days* til publication of my book on August 3rd. Have you downloaded Chapter 1 yet?

Useful Link

HP blogger Eric Kintz's cogent riff on blogging frequency (highly recommended reading)

Book Review: DL Byron & Steve Broback's Publish & Prosper

Yes, it could be considered a competitor to my book. No, I don't care. Want to submit a short book review for publication in WordBiz Report? Send your review to me at debbie.weil@gmail.com along with a link to the book. I'll publish it in an upcoming issue.

Publish & Prosper: Blogging for your Business
By DL Byron & Steve Broback
Peachpit /New Riders
ISBN: 0321395387

Byron (as he's known to friends and colleagues) and I exchanged feverish emails last fall while we were chained to our respective desks and slogging away on our books.

His slim elegant volume - co-authored with Steve Broback and just published in softcover - belongs on your blogging bookshelf. Er, right next to my book, of course.

I love all the screenshots and the practical advice on tools and techniques for effective blogging. Chapter 3 addresses the *time* issue.

P.S. If Byron and Steve's book had been out before I completed my manuscript, I would *definitely* have included it in the Recommended Reading list at the end of The Corporate Blogging Book.

Visit Byron's accompanying book blog for more info

Advance review copy of my book for active bloggers
If you're an active blogger with a loyal following interested in the topics of corporate blogging / online PR / social media / the intersection of media, marketing & technology / etc., email me at debbie.weil@gmail.com with "Advance Copy" in your subject line.

I will ask my publisher, Penguin Portfolio, to mail you an advance copy of the book in about a week. Be sure to include your blog URL and your exact postal mailing address.

Fine print
I can only offer this to the first 25 bloggers who respond. If you're *not* a blogger, please pre-order your copy on Amazon!

If you're outside the U.S.
I may be able to send you the book myself if you paypal me US $10 to cover the cost. Drop me an email with your mailing address and blog URL and I'll get back to you.

Warm regards,

Author / Speaker / Consultant
www.debbieweil.com
www.TheCorporateBloggingBook.com
(Visit the book blog above to download Chapter 1 and to pre-order on Amazon. Pre-order early birds get a BONUS PDF. This offer ends on July 18th.)

P.S. You still have a few more days to take my second annual One-Minute Blogging & RSS Survey.