Why Use a Blog For Record Keeping?

The answer is huge- complete portability, ability to share easily, no backing up required, no paper involved, ease of adding photos and video, and automatic timestamp.


The possible uses of blogs for record keeping is mind boggling. Here are some possible uses:
Employee time clock
Safety reports
Maintenance reports-- you could even use mobile blogging from smartphones
Vehicle mileage and repair reports-- mobile blogging here also
Animal care records
Equipment repair reports
Insurance documentation for claims

The list is almost endless. We like Blogger for this type of application, where you don't need alot of bells and whistles, just a simple user interface. And owning multiple blogs on Blogger is an easy deal-- you log into one dashboard with all of your various blogs listed.

Blah blah blogs

Oh my, there are a ton of blogs out there that sound like they have something to offer, but fall WAY short of the mark. The whole concept of making money blogging has taken on a life of its own. Not that we have anything against making money blogging, but people, please! If you want to earn a living writing, learn to write. To that end, we present Customer Experience Matters. It's good meaty stuff for business people-- in any business.

Build a Virtual File Cabinet

When did you replace the transmission in the pickup? What was the name of the shop that did it? When did you fertilize the yard last? Do you remember the name of the guy you hired to trim the trees two years ago?


These are all things that you can file in a blog, complete with date and time stamp. Set up a blog and call it The Smith Family File Cabinet, or something catchier if you want. Set it private with no comments allowed, etc. Use labels for your posts like Joe's Dodge Charger or Jane's Prius or lawn care or home repairs. Anything you'd stick in a file folder and hopefully remember where you put it can now go in this blog. We don't recommend storing medical records, or detailed financial records on a blog, but almost everything else would be ok.


Here's an example of a great use of the blog in this manner:

Say you washing machine won't agitate. You call the repair person. Make a quick blog entry about the call to the repair person, including telephone number and the name of the person you spoke with.


After 3 days you have still not seen the repair person, but you are busy with your life and haven't needed clean laundry so time got away from you. Return to the blog for the phone number, all of the information you need including the exact time of the first call (the blog will have a time stamp).


Record your second call in the same way you did the first. Once the repair person comes, get his name, and record what he tells you about the necessary repairs, including the estimated costs.


Record the actual repair in the same way, plus scan the receipt and upload it to the blog, and presto! It's all N the blog! Three months later when it breaks down again you have a perfect record of the whole transaction so you can fight your battle with the company, or in a perfect world where you were happy with the service, you'll have the information you need for contacting the same company when the dryer breaks.


All of this sounds like it takes a bit of time, but it's really no more time consuming than scribbling notes, searching for those notes, or studying the phone book trying to remember who you called.

Using Google Docs in Your Blogs

I just discovered Google Docs. Since Google owns Blogger, they have developed a nice relationship that allows for a more purposeful use of Blogger blogs. Here's the way it can work. Create a doc or spreadsheet at http://www.docs.google.com/ then upload it to your blog. If you already have a doc on your hard drive or another website and want to post it on a blog, simply choose the upload option at Google Docs. A few simple settings to tell Google where your blog is and presto, your doc is online.

Possible uses:
Employee handbooks-- complete with photos and videos once you post them to Blogger!
Saving any doc in electronic form off site for emergency purposes
Posting portions of that book you've been writing so that the world can finally read it; maybe you can find a publisher!
Sharing the text of your big speech to the Lions Club
Turning docs from community organizations into a simple website-- membership forms, bylaws, etc. Even post the minutes from meetings and the treasurer's report.
Anything you've already got typed that you either want someone else to see, or that you want saved for the future.

Making Your Business Website Interactive

If you run almost any kind of business today you probably have a website. Static websites that you build and leave alone are a thing of the past. In order to hold your customer's attention today you must bring your web presence to life. Blogs are an easy way to accomplish just that. With online services like Blogger.com you can have a simple blog up and running in a matter of minutes without being a web genius. Add links to the blog on your main website and start really communicating with your customers.

What kinds of things would you blog about? Obviously a lot depends on what kind of business you are in. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Thought for the day or week
Picture of the day or week
Video of the day or week
Tips on how to use your products
Employee recognition
Details about one of your products
News flashes about your company
Expert articles about your company or product
Special pricing

Happy blogging!

Great Reading Added

We're adding new blogs for your enjoyment as soon as we find them. Recent additions are in the Travel N Blogs and Money N Blogs categories. Be sure to subscribe to our feed to keep up with additions as we build N the Blogs. Got a favorite blog? Let us know so we can check it out as well. Happy reading.

What Makes a Blog N? Part 1

Good grammar is tops on the list. If we wanted to live an abbreviated life we'd simply sit down and stare at the TV with a remote in one hand and a phone for texting in the other. In order to make it N, a blog has to be WRITTEN. We want juicy writing dripping with the flavors of life. Give us a look at what you do and what you know in all its glory. Nothing left out.