Blogs

Arthur Laffer is predicting that the U.S. economy will collapse next year when George W. Bush tax cuts expire in 2010. His theory on the Obama tax plan is depending on how the super-rich can choose when and the way they collect their income to evade taxes. Laffer seems to think the economy is doing better this year than it should because these aristocrats are collecting more of their loot and spending more of their money before taxes rise.

Payday lenders and their customers escaped regulation during the latest round of financial reform in Congress. But the pay day as a financial reform issue is not going to go away. Language directly regulating the paydayloans industry was left out of the bill. But a provision creating a consumer protection agency did. The payday loans industry will likely be regulated by this agency.

I am excited to announce the finalists for the main track of the business plan competition. Be sure to register - http://princetonen2010.eventbrite.com/ - today for the conference to watch these companies compete to win the grand prize of $25,000 of services and a trip to pitch to Sequoia Capital.

Princeton Entrepreneurs’ Network (PEN) is officially launching a Social Enterprise Track of the organization. Launch events will take place at PEN’s National Conference on May 28^th, 2010 at Princeton University, during Alumni Reunions.

The Social Enterprise Track seeks to serve as a meeting point for Princeton University alumni, students/professors, and individuals/organization beyond the Princeton University community, across sectors and disciplines for collaboration on ‘tipple bottom line’ for-profit business, and venture philanthropy.

PEN Boston and Chicago Social Enterprise Pitch Competition

The biggest challenge for bloggers is usually not content but readers. 

Here is the list of proven techniques, used by real small business owners, for getting new readers to check out your blog and then getting them to come back and become loyal readers.

Top 13 Ways to Drive Blog Readership
http://blog.inc.com/e-commerce/2010/01/13_proven_techniques_to_attrac.html

Why would you spend hours publishing free content and then more hours making sure people read it?

The purpose of blogging in general, is usually to establish and/or support an existing brand with an understanding of how that brand generates revenue.

The Princeton Entrepreneurs' Network of Boston is proud to announce that SCVNGR won its Inaugural 2009 Elevator Pitch Contest. The event was well attended with over 60 audience members. The field of 12 finalists included current students, alumni and non-Princeton affiliated presenters. 2 finalists even presented by webcam which added another level of interest and excitement to the event.

Outside of the fact that you happen to be reading one right now, I find that there are lots of smart, business savvy folks out there who when placed in the position of having to explain, strategize or build a blog (or decide if one should be built at all) are at a bit of a loss. Blogs are usually easy for most people to recognize but harder for folks to define.

As of this writing, there are 47 million professional profiles on LinkedIn. How many of them represent your prospects, future partners, or happy customers just waiting to write a testimonial for you? After 6 articles on the topic you now have no excuse not to find out. :o)
 

Strategies, a LinkedIn profile guide, a LinkedIn feature guide, case studies and many user and reader contributions:

Maisha Walker's Inc. magazine series - a Small Business Owner's Guide to Leveraging LinkedIn