Comments on: Blog Coaching – A holistic Approach

By: Jim Logan

Jim Logan — Thu, 19 May 2005 19:20:00 +0000

A quick comment prompted by the one just prior. I’m many things in life, disingenuous is not among them. The story behind the offer is as written, just personal frustration with consulting and coaching solutions I believe are too often trying to merely capitalize on the hyped benefits of blogging. The same thing too often occurs with training, copywriting, web site development, and other professional services – services that are recommended as must have solutions more because that’s what the provider has to offer, as opposed to what the customer needs most.

I’m not a blogging expert, nor am I in the blogging business. And I’m quite confident I’m not the best blog coach available. I’m merely a blogger.

My recommendation is as the first commenter to this post suggests, buyer beware. Be sure you know what you’re buying before you purchase and assure the focus of whatever solution you purchase is aligned and measured by the success you hope to enjoy as a result. That applies to all marketing solutions, by no means just blogging.

If you’re interested in a blog coach, I suggest you look first to the author of this site. Darren knows more about blogs and blogging than anyone I’ve seen or heard of. He’s forgotten more about blogs than I may ever learn. I’ve long held there are no experts in blogging, having read ProBlogger for a few months, I’ve been proven wrong.

Cheers!

By: Shane Gibson

Shane Gibson — Thu, 19 May 2005 02:18:06 +0000

As a consultant (not a coach on blogs) for over a decade this kind of rant is one of many that I have come across. The writer entices you posing as some consumer watch dog only to switch gears and promote their “superior” service.

Rule #1) Don’t knock your competition; educate your market and the competition will knock themselves.

Why not write a blog on how to select a good consultant and actually provide advice and insight? This was basically ad copy, creatively put together but it is still ad copy.

By: Gayla

Gayla — Wed, 18 May 2005 11:20:40 +0000

Personally I believe that if a person dedicates enough time and ambition they can do anything on a very tight budget. I’m probably one of the biggest penny pinchers out there and have found the answers I needed just by searching hard enough!

I don’t disagree with trying to earn a buck or two but I do disagree with trying to “take” people by providing information that is provided for free with sharing a simple link or two.

Darryl – you happen to be one I rely on heavily for some of the decisions I make regarding my blogs! You’re a trustable guy! Stay Gold!

Gayla

By: Darryl

Darryl — Tue, 17 May 2005 15:02:04 +0000

I’ve been reading JSLogan for a while. Based on his writing he seems to be a standup guy and realistic in his approach. Read his post. The rate is resonable and the deliverables are realisitic.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 17 May 2005 14:45:15 +0000

OK – cynical mode… “blog consultant” … “blog coach”. Difference? Of course JSLogan can’t be including himself in that group he generally dislikes… Hmph. I honestly read your post thinking ‘this guy obviously isn’t a consultant”. Err… OK, proved wrong. Of course, all the other consultants are doing it wrong – so more business for JSLogan! Yay!

Grrr.

By: Elisa Camahort

Elisa Camahort — Tue, 17 May 2005 14:36:22 +0000

I’ve been seeing a lot of backlash language similar t this lately. And all those people engaging it boil their message down to the same thing: “Blogs are a tool, not a revolution. They aren’t right for everybody or every business.”

OK – can someone point me to the vil blog consultants who are syaing otherwise? When I look at the writings of some of the other folks out there like me, like Toby Bloomberg or you, Darren or others…we all seem to be perfectly aware that blogs are a tool and not a holy grail.

I wish more of these people who trash marketing consultants who specialize in blogs would actually name names. Being so coy is simply painting way too many people with the same brush.

By: Chris Abraham

Chris Abraham — Tue, 17 May 2005 14:24:47 +0000

Well, I guess you and I are blog coaches. You share your love with the world and I coach my company. But I really like the title.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 17 May 2005 14:15:31 +0000

Like any good consultant, you look at results and reputation. Those are the two things that consultants live by.

Also the operative word to look out for is “guarantee”. Anytime a consultant “guarantees” me something, I run. Good consultants are realistic about what will happen.

For example, I don’t see Darren guaranteeing results but rather offers to take a look at your site, give his input and offer various options.

I think that is the type of approach we should look for in our consultants.

By: Mark Boudreau

Mark Boudreau — Tue, 17 May 2005 14:04:58 +0000

I was taken in by a “blog consultant” when I first started out and it cost me a pretty penny and a good lesson. Today I would only deal with somebody if they were recommended by a number of people that I respect and only for a very specific reason (such as improving my affiliate or adsense performance or graphically redesigning my blog). I suppose I was blinded by the “I can gurantee you $8000.00 a day” marketing push. It turned out that it was basically a spamming Google scheme. A tough lesson learned.