Rich Dudley: Small Business Blog Interview

The first email interview is in. I sent Rich Dudley of The Bloomery the email with follow up questions that I previewed last week. I'll be sending this email to everyone that is featured as the Small Business Blog of the Day begninning this week (I also have to catch up and send the email to everyone I've already featured).

Pajama Market: How has the blog impacted your company?

Rich Dudley: Our blog has given us greater visibility to our peers.  Flowers & Profits called and interviewed my wife for a couple of articles they are working on.  They saw some of our ideas on our blog, and felt they fit into planned articles.  We're hoping our customers pick up on the blog.

PJ: What has the response been from your customers/clients?

RD: Not much direct feedback from customers yet.  I know our posts and photos are getting viewed, but we haven't had anyone come running into the store just because of the blog.  Not too surprising, since we're not exactly in Silicon Valley out here.  It will take blogs a while to catch on, and when they do, we'll have some pretty good content.

PJ: What types of things about your work day inspire you to write a post on your blog?

RD: All sorts of things.  Often it's a special, or a new product.  Delivering flowers is really cool, because when you walk into a crowded room carrying a bouquet of flowers, all eyes are on you.  You can literally transfer that attention when you hand over the flowers.  It's pretty cool, and some of these stories will find their way onto the blog over time.

PJ: What have been the biggest surprises with your blog so far?

RD: Besides finding JD again?  I think the surprises are still to come. (Rich received an email from J.D. Iles shortly after being featured)

PJ: What blogging program do you use for the blog? Did you create this blog yourself? How do you like the program?

RD: Community Server (www.communityserver.org), on the community license.  I think some parts of the interface could be simplified a bit, and it's way overkill for a single blog.  It includes forums and photo galleries as well as the blog part, so you get a really complete package.

Tags: Rich Dudley | Bloomery | Florist | community server | flowers and profits