The blog name is now Bill:Handy (get it? or is it too sublime?) and the focus is still public relations but I am adding small business related topics, specific to the pet industry, to the mix. For those of you who read my posts at OKPRProf I assure you every post will still contain nuggets of information you can use and hope you will continue to follow me here.
Change, including change for the better, is never easy even when the reasons to change far outnumber the reasons not too. Since I am a believer in full disclosure, especially when it can be a learning tool, and since the reasons pertain to both public relations and business, I thought I would share – in no particular order:
OKPRProf isn’t me, Bill Handy is. This is important as I develop myself, my reputation. Students, make note – how are you developing yourself, your reputation? Small business owners, make note – how are you developing yourself, your company’s reputation?
OKPRProf is too limiting and the reality is, being a Professor isn’t the only thing I do. I am also a small business owner and, at times, act in a consulting capacity. As a professor I have the reputation as (please, fill in the blanks for me in the comments section since you, the reader, are a better judge of my reputation) and, within the pet related industry and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the small business my wife and I own has the reputation of being creative and innovative with regard to proactive public relations and marketing. The new format allows me to focus and capitalize on all the above.
I couldn’t promote my work at the Dog Dish or my work in a consulting capacity on OKPRProf – I can at Bill Handy.
Finally, and maybe most important, I can expand my audience with this transition. Without an audience I might as well be yelling from the mountain tops with no one below.
I hope it is a good move – all the research says it should be.
I’m literally in love with the layout. I’m thinking about asking it to marry me. Just saying. But really, I’m glad you made the switch — I’m looking forward to a broader range of Bill Handy posts. Expanding your audience… I’m increasingly convinced that StumbleUpon is the most effective way. In the last three days I’ve got over 40k hits from stumble. You might consider it.
Abby, frick, I need to message you. This weekend, for sure — get excited. Heather Armstrong started a blog with her name attached to her company. She said ridiculous things got fired and now runs one of the more profitable blogs on the web. Just some food for thought.
Law school would be the most miserable thing in the world, I’ve already told you this though.
well…i suppose i’ll follow you on your new blog as well. i like the new format and i see you moved to word press (weren’t you on typepad before?), either way i like the “look and feel” if you will. i hope all is well in stillwater and with your students as you gear up for homecoming. i’ve thought about starting a blog of my own, the only problem is since my name is attached as the primary spokesperson of a company, i’m not sure it would be wise to post under my name as well. btw…i’ve been thinking about law school. thoughts?