Fast Company had a provocative article yesterday:

This strategy reflects his overall advertising technique in Dallas. Advertise everywhere available. His name pops up on Google as the first choice when you search directly for him, but not when you search under “technology.” He has created a new way for other people, worldwide, to know him and access his accomplishments by creating a blog. People, who have no reason to look up LASIK eye-care can see his name simply by looking under “technology” on technorati.

Of course, does all this work? I don’t know; I used Dr. George Joseph.
Source: Should Small Companies Blog?

Really the question isn’t whether small companies should blog, I think small companies have every reason to blog, it’s whether a locally-focused company should blog.

And frankly, I don’t have a good answer.  The answer really depends on the business, the target clients, and the area the business is in.  Let’s look at real estate blogs.  If you’re in Silicon Valley or Seattle having a blog is perfect.  Come on you have tech savvy people who you want to sell to.  Those folks are online and looking for things they want online.  Perfect match.  A LASIK doctor in Dallas?  Well, seems a little strange, but you know if you keep the blog up and people find you via a search for “LASIK Dallas” well, that seems like a good benefit.

To me the questions about whether or not a company, small or large, should blog really depends on the company, not the medium.  I’ve done the “all companies should have a website” thing.  I’m a little wiser now to see that blanket statements like that just don’t work.

I’m too much of a pragmatist now to just see a one size fits all strategy.

Should you blog?  Should your business/company have a blog?  All good question that you need to consider yourself then ask some experts.  Jim and I are happy to talk with you.  We’ve told a number of potential clients that a blog might not be the right choice for them.  We’d rather have clients where a blog is the right fit, not the cool thing.