Hotel, Dublin, April 22nd 2009
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
Burlington

Overview
1. The Guide to Business Blogging in Ireland
- Brendan Hughes (Social Media Working Group & FBD Insurance)
2. Blogging Benefits for a Small Business
- Aedan Ryan (PuddleDucks.ie)
3. Building Community & Knowledge
- Michelle Daly (Paddy Power Trader & Junior Chamber Ireland)
4. Discussion
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

What is a blog?
Website “web log” or “online journal”
l
Posts appear in reverse chronological order
l
Easily add text/images/video/audio
l
Tone is personal and informal
l
Facilitates comments and cross-links
l
Now includes “micro-blogs” such as Twitter
l
... an online community called the blogosphere
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Why do people blog?
Source: Technorati, 2009
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

How big is the blogosphere?
Worldwide:
Ireland:
4,000+ Irish bloggers
l
l 22% of Irish Internet users read blogs
l 21,000 Irish people are now on Twitter
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
Sources: Technorati, 2009; Edelman, 2008; Irishblogs, 2009

Irish business blogs
financial services
l
marketing
l
member associations
l
professional services
l
recruitment
l
retail
l
technology
l
individual consultants
l
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Why are Irish businesses blogging?
Source: IIA, 2009
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

What does success look like?
Source: IIA, 2009
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

Risks & Concerns
Losing control
l
Breaking etiquette
l
Spamming
l
Hard selling
l
Transparency
l
Inappropriate tone / content
l
Cost and effort
l
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com