Next time you need to stop for a coffee go to Flat White in Soho...truly the nicest coffee experience I have had for a long time...judging by the queue I am not the only one to think that...

I have been meaning to blog about fuelmyblog  the blogging community we created with kevin back in 2007 and more importantly about the direction it's taking.

It has been growing steadily over the last 3 years and we now have over 30 000 users and bloggers combined on the site -  note that 40% of submissions don't get in as we strongly believe in keeping a spam free community. 

Bloggers join to network with other like-minded bloggers and create a community around their blogs but also have the option to take part in our product testing campaigns. 

From shoes, chocolate to holidays...the bloggers have opportunities to discuss their experience and continue to give key feedback to the brands. 

We are looking to scale things up, make the portal more sticky, user friendly-er with the process of brands meet bloggers seamless. 

Big plans ahead which will simplify the relationship between bloggers and brands.

 

We have also been talking daily with small and medium businesses.  Many have zero presence online yet understand the need to address it without really knowing how to go about it.

In this frail economic environment, businesses have to be more creative than ever. 

We strongly believe that every shop, restaurant, should embrace the internet and claim both their business online identity and voice. 

It's inexpensive, doesn't need to take time and requires very little technical knowledge - more importantly it reaches out to existing and potential customers.  It can also enhance traditional marketing campaigns.  It's a vital tool that cannot be ignored by businesses and needs to be made accessible to all. 

With this in mind we tried to think of a way to branch out fuelmyblog and came up with the idea of Fuelmywebsite.  A small package that gives small and medium businesses the tools to get started online. 

The internet is giving people an additional voice and a certain amount of influence as their own communities are growing, just as offline. 

It makes sense for offline businesses to acknowledge their clients online as they would if they met them in the street. 

What is really exciting is that we all have the power to leave feedback, show and share our loyalty to brands and services we rate while firms have a fantastic opportunity to hear what their customers are saying about them and as a result can move their business in the right direction.

 

photo credit to farlane

I really would like to see my local bakery online, and would most definitely follow them on facebook share their promotional incentives with my fb friends.  Why?  Because it feels right to give full support to the little guys that provide quality and are facing  more challenges than ever to stay open.

Random words to describe this week-end:
Train
Japan
Spitalfields Market
Cappuccino
Surprise
Teenage angst
Surprised...again?
Fear
Food
Lamb (not as food)
MUSHROOMS!!!
Sad
Scary
Buzzing
Bored
Tired
Happy
Determined
Poised

This week-end qualifies as "successful"...a whole range of emotions have been explored...

Well that was our holiday...

A little escapade in the hills of Scotland, in random orders here are my key words: wet, green, fluorescent green, serenity, laughters, sexy accent, wine, YouTube party, abundance, frivolity, cepes, mochas,  dancing in the wrong places, running, gossiping, missing the moment already...