So you've started a business blog and are struggling with what content you should post. Blogs have been very successful for individuals, but what can you offer your customers in a blog that will appeal to them?

The internet is a powerful business tool that allows you to connect your business with people—and potential sales leads—on a massive scale. One of the greatest ways to connect with people via the web is with social interaction by way of social networking. When used right, social media will allow you to connect with people on a human level, creating a stronger customer relationship than an advertisement ever could.

One social network that has emerged as a must-have for any company serious about their social media strategy is twitter. People are flocking to this social network by the millions (they have 645 million users and counting) and companies, big and small, are experiencing business success by way of twitter right now. Broadway Books, an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, for example, was on the verge of shutting down until they used twitter to gain more customers.

I have a confession to make, I am an information junkie.  I consume large quantities of information each day looking for things of interest and value.  Most of my buying decisions aren’t made until I have spent an appropriate amount of time—defined by the size or complexity of the purchase—researching and reviewing my options.  Typically, company websites provide adequate information to make decisions, but that is changing.

Blogging has been around since the late 90s, but didn’t gain mainstream popularity until the mid-2000s.  At first blogging, or weblogging as it was initially called, was a fringe tool used by individuals to share random thoughts and messages with the world.  The tool wasn’t taken seriously until 2003, when Google launched their AdSense product—matching advertising to blog topics and content.

Sometime ago I went into a new local business to check out their offerings. I liked the store and their products but they didn’t have that sense of community. Sadly, eight short months later, they closed their doors. I couldn’t help but notice they committed some cardinal sins that lead to their demise.

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
                                                                          – Benjamin Franklin

I love books, but I never thought I would love business books. I was wrong. The right business book can be life-altering. There are gazillions of great business books out there, but here are some of my favorites.