Church of the Customer Blog
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July 26, 2005
Thank you, Forbes
Forbes has come out with its Best of the Web awards, and the Church was noted as one of the Best Marketing blogs and one of the Best Small Business blogs.
Yowza, Forbes! We're very flattered, especially since we didn't know we were nominated. We suppose this means no tux is required since there's no ceremony but all the same... it's gratifying to be recognized.
In the spirit of plus-delta (one of the core tenets to customer evangelism), Forbes offers a delta (a criticism) for each winner. For the marketing award, Forbes writes of the Church: "Aggressively self-promoting." Ouch. We hope that's not the case. Is it? What is the demarcation between marketing and self-promotion?
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Congrats, guys!
As for the self-promotion question, I think it's something that small business bloggers struggle with. At least I know I do. Sometimes you gotta toot your own horn a little and there are ways to do it without crossing over the line into heavy self-promotion.
For the record, I don't feel that you two are aggressive in that area on your blog.
Again, congrats. You deserve it.
Spike -- Many thanks. Jackie and I were just discussing that if this criticism/perception comes from the integration of our blog with our website, as opposed to having the two be distinctly different.
For some, their blog IS their website. For others, the two are somewhat or distinctly different. We think seamlessness is key, but I'm curious to hear other opinions. Maybe this is a separate blog post.
Congrats, Ben and Jackie! No surprise that you guys are tops in Forbes' eye. As for that "self-promoting" crack, I really don't see it. I've always viewed your blog as the "online companion" to your book - validating your theories with real-life examples. To me, it shows you guys are great teachers, not promoters.
Michele -- Thanks! (To the rest of the world, it should be duly noted that Michele's Wonder Branding blog was mentioned by Forbes, and deservedly so.)
Ben and Jackie,
Congrats - promote away - that's really the point isn't it.
John Jantsch
Duct Tape Marketing
John -- Congrats to you, too, for your group's inclusion!
I thought blogs were about self-promoting. The difference is their honesty, passion, forthrightness, true and personal voice, written in-the-moment with no corporate buffer. So, if you guys are 'self-promoting'...then more people oughta do it too.
Congrats! Much deserved. Keep up the great work.
Congrats you two...
I think you do a great job of writing valuable interesting stuff, and still letting people know how you can help. If your voice in a blog isn't helping people know you, your philosophies and capabilities, why do it? :)
I agree with some other posts that we have look for a balance, but on the other hand, you can't be "scared" to market yourself as a part of what you blog about.
Again, congrats!
Kevin :)
Congrats! well deserved honor.
Congrats!
The "Aggressively self-promoting" line was completely off base. But then the whole point of best of lists are to create controversy, right?
Many thanks Bill, Kevin, Toby and Josh!
