Latest Small Business News From Friends of the Site
One of my favorite parts of being online today is the community aspect. I love the fact that people not only read what is written but jump in with their thoughts and opinions. Friendships begin to form and people begin to meet on a regular basis, sharing their comments.
I remember attending a seminar on e-Marketing in which John Jantsch was the guest speaker. He shared this thought: that some of his best friendships are with people he has never met but has developed a relationship with through comments, emails and visits back and forth to each other’s blogs. In fact, he had read my blog post about how excited I was to meet him the next day and he mentioned it when I introduced myself.
The same happens here with familiar faces visiting and commenting. So I wanted to take a minute and share some of the good stuff happening with those in the small business world who are “friends of the site”:
- Duct Tape Marketing is adding some cool stuff. John Jantsch has implemented more community features and multimedia. The site offers audio, video, blogs, community membership and a community events calendar for marketing events.
- Joel Libava, franchise expert, has a new e-book called Franchise Research Tools which provides the information you need if you are considering becoming a franchisee, including how to research franchise opportunities. This is his first ebook. Check it out.
- Scott Shane, Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University and one of the Small Biz Experts here, has been getting lots of great press about his new book, The Illusions of Entrepreneurship. He and the book were featured in an article in BusinessWeek. Scott also was interviewed by Total Picture Radio recently to share his thoughts on the myths of entrepreneurship. The interview is great — download it to your iTunes and then to your iPod.
- Bill Kennedy of Energized Accounting has now become part of the crew of bloggers at AccountingWeb.com. Bill’s blog at AccountingWeb.com focuses on accounting software and accounting computer systems for businesses.
- Laurel Delaney has just put up a new Wiki for entrepreneurs who want to go global called the GlobeTrade Community. Visit and enter your company’s information — join the trend going global. You can write about your global success story. It could be as simple a story as getting buyers of your ebook from cross-border locales. Laurel — perhaps you’ll stop by and tell us other ways to benefit from your Wiki?
- OhioBiz.com, the local business directory serving Ohio, has re-launched and expanded according to its owner, Mark Geyman. The site provides information to those looking for businesses in Ohio. Mark was a speaker at the recent State of the Web 2008 address and he shared great information on the importance of having local key words on your website. By the way, even if you don’t have a website yet, you can still have a Web presence by registering your business in local online directories like OhioBiz.com. The important thing is to look for high quality directories — where a human being like Mark reviews all submissions and keeps out the spam.
- Awake at the Wheel is expanding and evolving. Jonathan Fields has made some significant design and functionality changes to improve readability and participationg. What he is doing with his blog reflects a trend in which blogs are growing up. They are becoming more sophisticated, better designed, and with advanced features.
- And a big shout out to Mike Stevens who is a new business editor at AllBusiness.com. He is the editor of a new blog called: Manufacturing: The 17 Percent Solution. The blog’s tagline says: “You can compete successfully in the global economy and overcome the 17 percent cost advantage of landed goods from low-wage countries.” Mike’s blog provides tips for how to do that. Mike reached out to introduce himself and for that we say, “Welcome, Mike!”
Each day brings new material, new places to visit, new friends to make. Keep the conversations going.
If you would like news about your small business covered, send us a tip.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Laurel Delaney: I have joined your Global Trade Community. My goal is to a create a global business with Blue Chip Café & Business Centers around the world.
Mark Geyman: Do you have several companies listed in my old home town, Troy (Miami county)?
All the Best,
Martin Lindeskog - American in Spirit.
Gothenburg, Sweden.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Hi Anita, Thank you for mentioning my new ebook, “The Essential Steps To Researching a Franchise Opportunity.”
It is because of friends like you, that I am motivated to expand my small business with new products and services. I am grateful for your support.
Joel Libava
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Hi Joel,
I love to support other small businesses — and wholeheartedly support what you do. It’s great to hear that it motivates you.
Anita
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Thank you so much, Anita.
Congrats on growing your business, by adding an assistant.
Joel Libava
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Thanks for the link to Ohiobiz! I operate out of Columbus OH and had never heard of it before.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:28 am
Thanks for a such a good stuff given by you on small business Franchise
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Anita,
OhioBiz.com, Mark Geyman’s brainchild, is a great resource for Ohio residents. Mark is a talented guy, and one who’s ethics cannot be questioned. I know, becuase I have worked with Mark on some projects in the past. Mark’s redo of the site is terific.
Joel Libava
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
Folks, I apologize about the misspellings in my comment. Very thumby, today.
Joel Libava
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
Hey, hey! How exciting. This community is becoming more and more the place to go for all things small business. Thanks so much Anita and Deborah — you are both terrific. I can see right away Deborah that you are gifted communicator. Welcome aboard to the Small Biz Trend Train!
And as for the new GlobeTrade wiki community (http://globetrade.wetpaint.com/) … it’s for YOU. To make it really work you have to complete a profile (not just feature your lovely picture) because you want folks all over the world to find you and understand what it is you do at your business. How else can we connect, collaborate and inspire each other to accomplish great things in our brave new world? Like what you see in a member’s profile? Email him/her and start a conversation. You never know where it will lead you. For example, you might end up doing business with Martin in Sweden! Or, you set up a franchise on behalf of Martin’s “Blue Chip Café & Business Centers” — but in Chicago.
I don’t know about you but I’m ready to take on the world! Let’s get going — together!
All the best,
Laurel
Chicago
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
As we begin to advance our social networking site for Local Communities with a strong emphasis towards assisting small local businesses to compete on-line, I am very encouraged to see this type of blog for small businesses and I agree the best business relationships and insights are often generated on-line.
Totally Committed,
Ken Winton
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Great comments, guys. Thanks Laurel for your kind words. It never ceases to amaze me how many wonderful tools, resources and people you find on the web! Together you are all helping to make the global market a local community!
Deborah
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Anita,
Thank you for your kind comments regarding OhioBiz. Your site is one of, if not, THE best site in the small business niche. keep up the great work and thank you for your support!
Martin - yes, I have over 1,300 businesses listed in Troy, OH.
Hi Rachel. If you have a business, please list it.
And Joel, thanks so much for your compliments but don’t brag me up too much, I won’t be able to fit my head through the door!
Mark
March 4th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Laurel Delaney: I will talk with you later on regarding the opportunities in the “windy city”!
Mark Geyman: Thanks for the information!
March 4th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I’m very happy to know about this latest small business news from friends of the Site.
I’m glad to know some more updates form your post, thanks for sharing.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Congrats Mark on such a great site. You have really made a wonderful resource site. It is very neat and organized and easy to navigate. I only wish Pennsylvania had a site as nice as yours. Good work!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Amanda, thanks a lot! We’re always striving for better. Any suggestions, please let me know and we’ll make it even better/more useful.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Thanks for the shout out! I just saw your blog post. All the best!
Bill