An ebook and conference about blogging are coming up

Yes that’s right, I’m working on an ebook and a conference about blogging. Both will be in Dutch, as I think the English speaking people have enough resources on their hand. Most Dutch people also speak English, yet I feel a local approach is the right way to go. There are major differences between the US and Dutch blogosphere, only the differences in size would be enough reason to go Dutch. Most of the ebook and conference coverage will be in Dutch, yet I’ll write some English articles about it as well. You never know, it might inspire a German or a French blogger to do the same thing in his country.

So yesterday I left a comment on a Marketingfacts article about the most important Dutch blog sites. I mentioned About:Blank and the blogging category of Marketingfacts, but also said I was working on an ebook and conference. It stirred quite a reaction, as I’ve received some emails and Twitter messages from people who wanted to know more. Ton Zijp from About:Blank even blogged about it. I figured I might as well share some info on this blog, so here we go.

The Conference: BLOG08

Let’s face it, blogs are booming. Although some people from the new media industry say the trend is over, Edial Dekker and me certainly disagree. Blogging in Holland has not reached its tipping point yet, as the masses still have to embrace it. If everyone blogged about his passion, craftsmanship or specific knowledge in a blog collective, this would create a wealth of information and creativity. Moreover, people with similar interests can find each other and start a lively community. Several Dutchmen have already discovered this, especially the marketers, but when is your gardener starting a blog about growing the perfect flowers?

So let’s give the art of blogging some more attention and start a little hype. On BLOG08 we ask Holland’s top bloggers to share their best practices and visions. So experienced bloggers and people who are interested in blogging both find the relevant info they need. But it’s not just the speakers worth coming for, as we’ll organize a blog market where group blogs can scout new blog talent. Edial and me will also invite blogging artists, dj’s, and vj’s to show off their skills. In Pakhuis de Zwijger on October 24th, we want to show you that blogging can be an enrichment of both your private as your business life.

The ebook about blogging

To give the potential attendees of BLOG08 some background about blogging, I’m currently writing an ebook about blogging, based on my experiences with Spotlight Effect and The Next Web. In six chapters, I’ll explain why blogging can be useful for you:

• Evaluate your work
• Develop a vision
• Your (online) reputation
• Stay up to date
• Meet like-minded people
• Personal Archive

For every chapter I’ll also interview a blogger whose work I highly appreciate. As soon as I’ve completed a chapter, I’ll post an excerpt on this blog and ask for your comments. After these discussions, I’ll rewrite the chapter so it represents the opinion of more bloggers than just me. Some bloggers I’ll be interviewing for this book are Carlos from Sargasso, Edwin van Mijsbergen from ZB Digitaal, and Marco Derksen from Marketingfacts. I’m not sure yet who the other two bloggers will be, so please contact me if you have any suggestions. (Update: I’m glad to tell you that Erwin Blom from The Crowds has also accepted my interview request.)

What are your thoughts on these plans?

Edial and me are excited to hear what your thoughts on these plans are. Please share them in the comments, so we can you use them to organize one rocking blog conference.

Some other posts you might be interested in:

• Conference blogging made easy: a few tips
• A video interview with Loic Le Meur about blogging
• Paul Arden: “do not seek praise, seek criticism”