If you’re a small business owner, then I’d hope you’re aware of The Office of Advocacy. They are the link small business needs to connect with the Government. They are the voice for small businesses all over the US. With you in mind, they have recently launched their blog – The Small Business Watchdog.
I’ve recently spoken with John McDowell from the SBA Office of Advocacy about the new blog and their plans.
Why did The Office of Advocacy decide to launch The Small Business Watchdog?
Advocacy launched The Small Business Watchdog to better communicate with our stakeholders. We realize that our newsletter, RSS feed, listservs, news releases, and email blasts are, in most cases, one-way communication. We hope that the blog will spark multi-way communication among our stakeholders across the country. Plus, it makes us look “with it.’
What are some of the topics that are being covered?
We are focusing on the same issue areas that our office always covers, regulations and small business economic research. With the blog we may look more closely at less noticed parts of these broad concerns. We’re also posting pictures, something that we don’t do on our web site. Next stop, Flickr!
It has been almost a month since the blog was launched. What has the response been like from readers?
So far, we are pleased with the thoughtful comments by readers and links to us by other bloggers and web sites. What I wasn’t ready for was all of the comment spam. We get lots of, um, “interesting” spam comments. Nothing that we could post on a government blog, or that I am allowed to read!
What is the The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration?
The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues.
What would you like to see happen for The Small Business Watchdog over the next year?
We’d like our blog to become the go-to discussion area for people concerned about small business policy at the federal and state level. Plus, several hundred unique visitors a day wouldn’t be bad.
Why should small business owners stop in and read your latest updates?
The posts are a lot shorter and easier to read than our research reports and regulatory comments!
What knowledge do you hope your visitors will leave with once they’ve visited your blog?
That they aren’t alone. There are other people out there who passionately care about small business issues and by linking together we can all become better advocates for small business.
Are there any plans for expansion into other social media outlets?
Not yet, unless one of your readers wants to set up a “Friends of Advocacy” MySpace or Facebook page.
What are some of your favorite tidbits of advice that you’d like to share with any small business owners reading this interview?
Let your elected and appointed government officials know what you think and how government policies are affecting you. Don’t assume someone else is doing that, because they probably are assuming that you are!