At the web development firm where I work, we have done work for people who have weblogs before (we’re doing some right now, actually). However, none of our core, long-term, clients have maintained weblogs. That is starting to change.
When you realize your professional clients read your personal weblog, it can be a bit disconcerting (see killing independent George). I like to think that I am the same person, regardless of what sphere of my life I’m in (family, work, friends, etc.) but it still takes a better person than I to be truly “yourself” in all such aspects of life.
Such was the case over the last year, when one of our favourite clients, the good people at the Horton Brasses company in Cromwell, Connecticut started reading some of our weblogs. At first, it felt a bit weird. Even though I know it’s all publicly accessible, I still do a lot of talking out of my ass on this site - stuff I wouldn’t say directly to my mom, or my clients. After a while, though, we got used to it, and now I really enjoy getting feedback on a personal weblog post from a client.
Now, Barb and Toby Rockwell, and their son Orion, from the Horton Brasses company have started a weblog of their own: the Horton Brasses Weblog.
Why read a weblog about an authentic reproduction cabinet and furniture hardware company? You’d be surprised - their lives are far more interesting than my own.
For example, Barb and Toby recently returned from a six-week trip to Vietnam. The travel diary of the trip you’ll find in the Travel category of their weblog is fascinating. The’ve also posted loads of photos from their Vietnam trip in their photo gallery.
They’re also writing about company news and some of the great projects their customers are producing.
Comments
Jeff Smith - April 29, 2005 6:55 pm
I've been trying to introduce the web dev firm that I work for to weblogs. We're working on a redesign of our website and I've convinced our stakeholders that having a weblog on the site would be a great idea. Personally, I like to see the human, personal side of companies that I do business with, and I'm sure that our clients are no different.
Alan - April 29, 2005 7:07 pm
Hey that is cool. I am finally taking the family to Bill's Seafood this summer and I may gets some hints from the good folks in Cromwell for good beaches.
TeoZilla - May 2, 2005 10:58 pm
Does this make silverorange Horton's Choice?
Lisa Giovanni - May 31, 2005 12:47 pm
Wow, that is so unbelievably cool.
Tristan - June 5, 2005 4:59 pm
I've had problems with professors reading my weblog (I go to Berkeley) and it's almost exactly the same situation. There's a big difference between who you are in a professional or academic relationship and who you actually are, but it is an accepted difference, and indeed a respected and normal practice to be "professional" when in a professional setting.
But weblogs are public, and not in that sphere. When my professor started asking me about the music I play, it was very weird. I was thinking in my head, "Please don't read my weblog, I don't want a personal relationship with you." But I just sort of nodded and glazed over, hoping he would take a hint.
Unfortunately, it's something you have to live with. It's an extra level of indirection in communication where you feel more comfortable being personal with unknown audiences, and those indirect relationships can conflict when you already have another sort of relationship with part of your audience who is suddenly very clearly known. It gets weird, but it's definately something you can get past. Sort of like going on a blind date only to find out the next day that she's your new boss. That'd probably be harder to get past, actually...
Geof Harries - June 15, 2005 4:26 pm
What software does the blog use?
geof
Home Designer - January 5, 2006 9:45 pm
This is great and very interesting.