A presentation by Rhys Gregory at Virtual Enterprise Conference 2011 at Glyndwr University. What is a blog, why blog, turning a blog into a business, university and business blogging.
2. Coming up with an idea Always wanted a Website, but What? I didn’t have a business idea. Help other people setup websites? < 2005 < 2008
3. What is Blogging? What does it mean to you? “Expressing thoughts and feelings through an exchange of online media” Rhys Gregory. “A blog is often a mixture of what is happening in a person's life and what is happening on the Web, a kind of hybrid diary/guide site, although there are as many unique types of blogs as there are people”. Marketing Terms.
7. Why I Blog Offering something that no one else can. Sharing thoughts and Ideas. Build up a name for myself. Worldwide Audience. Power? My Opinion is Unique.
16. My Blog Today Final Year Business Student Targeting a Niche Getting a job out of my blog Building a Portfolio Section Posted my research question on my blog- Media Wales Interested in Publishing Results
22. Universities Blogging Competing with other Universities on experience. New students can find out current student experiences via blogs. Allow current students to tweet questions to the University. Case Study: Aberystwyth Insiders http://insiders.aber.ac.uk/ *Use of Media is likely to Increase when Tuition Fees Rise.
Many millions of people blog and more often or not they’ll decide to name their website either after themselves (their name) or an Avatar (not just a film).... Could be a name or graphic that a person goes by on the internet. “Stuart Baggs The Brand” – Yes we did all laugh at this quote on the last series of the Apprentice... But it’s true... You Are The Brand!
What you must remember is that you are unique... Different to everyone else... Although you may share similar ideas or thoughts your take on a subject is ultimately different to anyone else's....
People that Blog effectively create the news.... You might post something first that no one else has or even talked about.... Having a blog allows you to publish something new and unique and the best thing is that it gives you a Worldwide Audience. You may find yourself being sent a free book or invitation to try out a new product depending on the topic of what you talk about.
The majority of the people that visit my blog come in search of student related articles, mainly due to the amount that I have written on the subject. I also get people visiting for one off articles such as complaints or items I have written about in the news, such as “Clinton Cards Charged Me Twice”. I also get the odd search for something that isn’t even on my blog but they still arrive... Often if it’s a subject I can relate to I’ll write an article on the subject encase they return.
Going back to what I said originally... I didn’t have a ‘Business idea’ to start with.... I just knew that I wanted to have a business/enterprise. This is a prime example of how you can start doing something now (no matter what it is) and potentially develop it into a business idea in the future..... ACT NOW!
You’ll probably blog because you enjoy blogging and you may not realise that you can actually use your blog to demonstrate ‘practicing’ in industry... Your CV may lack experience but by blogging you’re actually doing something which can be directed towards your career.I’m still looking for a job after Graduation... If you want to work with me then see my contact slide
These are perfect examples of how firms are using Blogs to get their message across. They’re recognising that blogs can often a more personal experience to customers and visitors. Sharing ideas through this online community.... Creating two-way dialogue.... Putting the personality back into branding.
* Just like in business you need to let your customer know what’s different about you... What service do you offer that your competitor can’t or won’t match? - When tuition fees rise, students will want to know more so what they’re getting for their money... They’re going to want transparency and demand more from institutions. Sharing student experiences online through media networks can help students make decisions about what University they should study at.
http://www.graduatetutor.tv – Video Guides to Getting a Job after Universityhttp://www.hourofmusic.com – Online Video Drinking Game Based upon ‘Power Hour’.http://www.whatdoieat.info – Can’t decide what to eat?http://www.mptweet.co.uk – General Election MP Twitter Rankhttp://www.myfreecarsearch.co.uk – Find Cars Local Near to YouAberystwyth Social Media Surgery – Helping Local Organisations Get Online.
At this stage you can start to think about how you are different to the person next to you... Because you are different!You don’t need to have a Business Idea to Start Acting....You can Act Now... Develop and Plan an Idea Later and then Act Upon that Idea....Start Blogging.... http://www.wordpress.org | www.blogger.com
Feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions or suggestions regarding today’s presentation. You can reach me on:http://www.rhys.euhttp://www.twitter.com/rhysgregoryhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/rhysgregoryhttp://www.facebook.com/rhysgregoryrhys@gregory.biz or ryg8@aber.ac.uk