Schultz on PubCon: Blogging Advice From Jeremy Zawodny, Matt Cutts and Robert Scoble
by Adam Schultz

The first session of the day was quite a treat. It was a Q and A session with "The Super Bloggers of Search". Namely, Matt Cutts, Jeremy Zawodny, and Robert Scoble. Quite the panel.

Rather than try to accurately reconstruct the session and get flamed for mis-quoting the most influential bloggers in the online marketing field I will just call out some of the more interesting pieces of advice.

Besides, I'm sure someone has already posted some cell phone video from the panel ;)

Right out of the gate, Jeremy hits us with an 80's movie reference comparing what's happening with blogs to the closing credits of Pump Up the Volume where you can hear the kids starting their own pirate radio stations all over the nation.

I guess it's never too early for a great 80's movie reference.

It was interesting to hear about the hurdles they all faced in blazing the way for corporate acceptance of blogging. Initially, they all seemed to run into the same problems with PR and Marketing departments not knowing how to handle this new venue and constantly freaking out.

For a while there they all seemed to live in fear of the "talking to" which Jeremy had admitted having happen to him a couple of times. A little later on they went into discussion about pushing the limits with your blog and the importance of knowing where the line as drawn.

You really need to understand the risks you are taking and make sure that if you do push the limits its for a good reason and not just to push as there have been cases of people just pushing to push and getting fired for it.

One part of the experience that they didn't count on initially at how quickly they can debunk myths and get quality feedback from users through their blogs.

They all agreed and Matt illustrated this point how when the list of the "25 reasons I hate Google" was blogged, he was able to take it to the project managers in the company and they were able to immediately take that feedback and begin to wok on some of the problems.

On the other side of that coin, Jeremy discussed his now famous Google Finance post and how it got him an audience with the new product manager of Yahoo Finance to hear what their plans are and that he is right on track with their thinking.

They all had different reasons for it but apparently none of then used their own company's blog software. I found that funny but it did show how different people have different needs and that you need to find the right solution for yourself.

In answering questions about managing the blog, work and home life: Jeremy mentioned that being single without kids makes it easier but managing email and the blog can still be tough. Scoble chimed that his wife lets him know when he's slacking around the house because of work or the blog by flaming him on her own blog. Matt agreed that it is hard and that he solicits the assistance of others where he can to keep up but that knowing he is helping people keeps him doing it.

They all got started in blogging to participate in the conversations people were having online.

Jeremy enjoys reading blogs and comments of passionate people no mater what the subject matter. Matt saw it as an opportunity to help people not waste time on bad SEO and keep the record straight on where the line is drawn. Scoble was just amazed at where his blog has taken him in the world and the people he has been able to meet.
Another point that Jeremy made and they all seemed to agree on is how strange it is to meet people who read your blog and realizing that they already kind of know you and then meeting someone who you read who reads you and what that interaction is like.

In closing they shared some tips on getting started.

Matt said to start with a blog service but that eventually you will probably want your own domain. Scoble urges you to read "like 50 blogs for a couple of weeks" before you even start posting so you can get to know the space, it will also give you some ammo when you start blogging your self. Start small and see if you can keep it up. Jeremy closed by talking about understanding what your limits are with your company and your self and be interested in what you write about because your readers know the difference.

This session write up by Adam Schultz, MarketSmart Interactive's Manager of Product Development.
Garrett French - MarketSmart Interactive | permalink | +marktd |