Better Business Blogging » UK blogs

Spotlight on UK Blogs – 17 November 2008

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:38:51 +0000

Now back again on Better Business Blogging, I will once again be highlighting some of the Business Blogs which exist in the UK. The aim is to show a cross section of what people and businesses are writing about and how they are approaching the task of using blogs in their business activities. As a result, you’ll find that these posts will contain a mix of Blogs displaying a range of topics and styles.

In addition, I am working with others to build a list of Business Blogs in the UK. So if there are UK blogs which you have visited and would recommend (including your own!), then please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me a message. You can also reach me on Twitter @BlogCoach Thanks!

Blah Blah Technology Blog
Blah Blah Technology was recently catapaulted to the top of the Wikio rankings – another overnight success, hey? Not really, Wayne Smallman’s been working at it for some three years now so all well deserved – good blog, accessible and, despite appearances, not just for techies! (Twitter: @Octane)

Jim’s Marketing Blog
Lots of great information and a very dynamic approach to the benefits, approach and opportunities great marketing can offer with the focus very much on people not search engines. Check Jim out and get him in your RSS reader (or at least his blog to start with!) (Twitter: @JimConnolly)

The New Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry
Well what can you say – all the charm and wit of Mr Fry and a great new design which shows it all off just blissingly. You’ll also find Mr Fry keeping us updated on his travels on Twitter at @StephenFry where his arrival some few short weeks ago produced a veritable avalanche of followers.

Lateral Action
Creativity + Productivity = Success or at least so says Mark McGuinness and pals over at Lateral Action. Heavy and preachy? Not at all. It’s good, engaging stuff from some guys who really know how to do it and get the message across. (Twitter: @MarkMcGuinness)

Marketing Blagger
Marketing Blagger is written by Andy Bargery where he covers topics on marketing, the internet, blogging and social media. If you are in the London area though, come and meet Andy in one of his other guises as the driving force behind the excellent London Bloggers Meet Up Group. Well worth a visit! (Twitter: @Abarge)

Number 10
Well even the PM (or at least the PM’s office) is in on the act and they have a blog which they are keeping updated. Even built on Wordpress which gives extra kudos to my preferred blogging platform, I guess. (Twitter: @DowningStreet)
Now, if only they could post on how best to get through the economic downturn … “use social media” did I hear you say? Great idea!

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Spotlight on UK Business Blogs

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:00:44 +0000

I used to run a series here on Better Business Blogging called Spotlight on UK Blogs where I’d link to business focused blogs based in the UK which had caught my attention. The aim was to show a cross section of what people and businesses were writing about and how they approached the task of using blogs in their business activities. As a result, the posts contained a mix of Blogs displaying a range of topics and styles.

I haven’t written one for a while but there has been such an upturn in the use of blogging for business over the past year that I feel a return for the series is long overdue and so will be starting again next weekend.

As an intro, and because it is particularly relevant in the current economic climate that we all find ourselves, there’s one that I’d like to draw your attention to ahead of this. It’s also one that I have been following avidly over the last couple of months simply because of the sort of information it has been offering. The blog in question is Peston’s Picks written by the BBC’s economic editor, Robert Peston.

So why do I think that this is a good example of a blog? I think because it goes back to the core elements of clear writing and pertinent topics, couple with excellent use of the immediacy of the web. Specifically, it offers to us as readers:

Authority: whether it’s direct reported information or informed opinion, you get the feeling from the blog that this where you need to go to get the low down on the subject at hand;

Instant access to news: when I’m looking for an up to date view on the latest situation in the financial markets or general economy then I know that I’m likley to find it here first;

Clean format: the short paragraphs and clean text doesn’t distract the reader away from the information being displayed, while the overall format gives a clear branding message while still making it clearly RP’s;

Encourages Debate: no matter whether it is because of the topics covered or the way that they are covered, the posts encourage comments and discussion, which then duly arrive!;

Informed opinion and trust: this comes clearly across as an expert writing about a subject area that knows intimately. As such it helps develop trust in both him and the information he provides;

Encourages further reading: the use of the sidebar encourages further reading of the blog and, just as importantly, makes it easy to do so.

Authentic voice – when I read the words I can hear Robert Peston delivering them. That adds to both the experience online and when we see him elsewhere

Are these what we should be looking for in every blog? No, not necessarily. Every blog has a different goal and hopefully uses what a blog format and technology can offer to help achieve them. However, as I’ve often said before, it’s not the technology which makes a blog, it’s the content; and here, I feel that the content delivers on all counts, allowing the blog to then do its job too!

BTW, if you have UK Business Blogs you’d like to recommend, then please drop me a line or leave a comment here. Thanks everyone!

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Blogging in the News – 20 October

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:53:33 +0000

Some articles which have appeared in the UK online press over the past week which looks at blogging (primarily business blogging) and its uses. If you find any good articles that could be highlighted here, then please post the links below or send them to me directly at mark[at]betterbusinessblogging[dot]com and I’ll do the rest.

Thousands of bloggers unite in blitz of green tips
The Blog action Day on the 15th October seems to have been a success with thousands of bloggers participating and raising awareness on climate change and environmental issues.

Going the Whole Blog: The Benefits of Social Networking
Jackie Cameron explaining why blogging and social networking work so well together for her and in her work. Nice personal account.

Newlyn processor joins seafood ‘bloggers’
Another sector looks at blogging for a range of different uses – and it’s good to see a sector such as this trying blogging. As the article states, “Its a great example of using modern technology to promote the industry in an unusual and engaging way”. I can think of some other industries that would do well to follow the example.

Slow Starters: Blogging in the Building Industry
As Phil Clark so eloquently puts it, “The construction world isnt exactly full of bloggers, but if even Sir Terry Farrell is chatting away online these days, it might be time to start taking it all a bit more seriously.” A second hurrah!

Playing Footsie with bloggers
CEOs should be considering whether corporate blogs are important – a little controversial in places but underlines the potential influence that blogging has in business and people’s perception of businesses if nothing else

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Spotlight on UK Blogs – 8 July 2007

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:51:37 +0000

Now back again on Better Business Blogging, I will be highlighting from time to time some of the Business Blogs which exist in the UK. The aim is to show a cross section of what people and businesses are writing about and how they are approaching the task of using blogs in their business activities. As a result, you’ll find that these posts will contain a mix of Blogs displaying a range of topics and styles.

Dangerous Thinking
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing … luckily Dangerous Thinking from David Rosam seems to contain a lot of knowledge on SEO and Marketing. Does that make it an oxymoron?

The Diary of the Diary
Extracts from Alistair Campbell’s diaries with some added pieces thrown in as well for good measure. Looks kosher (albeit to help sell the book) ... but that could just be spin of course.

The Rat and Mouse
Self styled as London’s Property Blog, there’s certainly lots of good information here on all aspects of housing, development and London. Have a browse without fear of bumping into any estate agents.

Have you heard about?
A nice daily selection of the arty and the quirky from Michelle Penny

Shedworking
Well, I have a personal interest in the area (!?) as I’m thinking of getting a garden home office, which I think equates to “shedworking” – one of those highly specific blogs that you would never really expect to exist but does, and successfully so, it seems.

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UK Blogs in the Spotlight – 27 April 2007

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 23:36:06 +0000

Now back again on Better Business Blogging, each week, I will be highlighting some of the Business Blogs which exist in the UK. The aim is to show a cross section of what people and businesses are writing about and how they are approaching the task of using blogs in their business activities. As a result, you’ll find that these posts will contain a mix of Blogs displaying a range of topics and styles.

In addition to this weekly selection, I am working with others to build a comprehensive list of Business Blogs in the UK. So if there are UK blogs which you have visited and would recommend (including your own!), then please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me a message. Thanks!

Simon Wakeman
Like the man says on his blog, we’re looking here at marketing, public relations and digital communications. Great content with a clean and impactful feel to the blog so take a moment to check it out and sign up to that RSS!

Informed Choice
Always a bit of a pity to see a blog with good information and insight on a Blogger template but ‘hey’ ... good looking financial advice here (hopefully sound advice too!) which also nicely supports the main Informed Choice site.

Book Mark Lee
Nicely put together site with the aim of “Helping ambitious professionals achieve business goals” which seems like a suitably ambitious goal in itself! Yet one that Mark looks eminently able to achieve.

Simon Dickson
Repleat with “Simons” today and here’s another one who is well worth listening to! Interesting, varied and eminently readable. Picture reminds me of the “Wot no …!” cartoons I used to draw as a child – sorry, Simon!

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UK Blogs in the Spotlight – 20 April 2007

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 22:07:09 +0000

NRG Business Network
With business networks becoming all the rage, here’s a blog from one that stands out from the crowd organising business networking lunches and written by its two founders Dave Clarke and Martin Davies. Would be perfect as an integrated blog on their main site!

Can Do Can Be Inspirations
Written by Karen Skidmore, a business and life coach, primarily for women running home based businesses here in the UK but well worth a read for anyone running their own small business and looking for helpful and valid advice

Trades Union Aggregator
The Network for Trade Union blogs and bloggers here in the UK - a whole range of blogs across the Trades Union spectrum.

Nick Saalfeld’s Corporate Podcasting
One of those “does what it says on the tin” moments – it’s all about podcasting for businesses and corporates, and it’s written by Nick Saalfeld. Important area dealt with at multiple levels.

Gavin Ingham
Slightly ironic (since you aren’t supposed to sell on blogs) but this is nevertheless a nicely put together blog from Sales Trainer / Motivational Speaker Gavin Ingham.

Truly Ace
Design gone right if you see what I mean! A recently started blog from an excellent graphic designer – will certainly be interesting to see how it develops. Love the portfolio!

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Spotlight on UK Blogs on the move

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:28:59 +0000

Over the past few months, I have been running a weekly Spotlight on UK Blogs here, highlighting some of the many UK Business blogs which exist and which are being set up every day.

This will now be continuing over at The Blog Coach where it will be integrated with the other elements which will be highlighted there. This has started with a recap of the UK Business Blogs highlighted so far, and will be continuing every Friday. In fact, as today is Friday, you’ll find the first new set of UK blogs there today.

In its place, there will be a new weekly series here at Better Business Blogging which will be starting next Friday. I hope that you will find it both useful and entertaining.

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Spotlight on UK Blogs – 8 September

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:03:38 +0000

Each week, I will be highlighting some of the Business Blogs which exist in the UK. The aim is to show a cross section of what people and businesses are writing about and how they are approaching the task of using blogs in their business activities. As a result, you’ll find that these posts will contain a mix of Blogs displaying a range of topics and styles.

Innocent Drinks
Nicely integrated into their site and certainly managing so far to keep up the smooothie and fun image they cultivate … along with the fruit, of course.

Medical Dental Financial Services
Dentists and Financial Advisors together! I should hate it … but I don’t! Nicely focused blog in start-up phase by Ray Prince and Graeme Urwin. Now, open wide, this won’t hurt …!

Charkin Blog
Richard Charkin from Macmillan does his own bit of personal publishing – a true Busman’s Holiday some might say!

Tom Watson, MP
Well, in a week where everyone seemingly wanted to get out of the government, I had to resign myself to including a first political blog – no doubt the first of many.

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Spotlight on UK Blogs – 25 August

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 16:10:41 +0000

Bad Language
Contrary to what you might think, this is Matthew Stibbe writing about Business, Technology and Marketing without a four letter word in sight.

BT Business Blog
BT’s new Business Blog covers a range of topics to do with online businesses and how to make best use of your internet connection … particularly when it’s through BT!

Travel the Home Exchange Way
Lois Sealey gives an engaging and compelling insight into the area of home exchange and all you should consider when holidaying by swapping homes.

Luxury Travel Blog
Following the holiday theme, Paul Johnson at the Luxury Travel blog gives us some ideas on locations, hotels and expensive cocktails!

Teblog
David Tebbutt on the 3C’s of cooperation, collaboration and communication from the perspective of a writer, trainer/mentor, software designer, husband, father & grandfather. Phew! Lots of perspectives and lots of good opinion too.

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Spotlight on UK Blogs – 11 August

Mark White, Blog Consultant — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 08:49:32 +0000

The Dental Business School
More Profit in Less Time is what Business Coach, Chris Barrow, provides from his Dental Business School blog to great effect.

Podcasts from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Blog, podcasts and the Fringe all mixed into one entertaining blend.

Modern Marketing
A blog from Collaborate Marketing, lead and edited by James Cherkoff.

Breath Coach
Never come across a Breath Coach before, so was interested to see what this was all about.

Vanessa & Baukjen
Vanessa Knox-Brien and Baukjen de Swaan Arons come together in the form of Isabella Oliver with designs for pregnant women who love clothes.

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