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A Word from IBNMA President Paul Chaney
By Paul Chaney | June 24, 2008
Several months ago I was approached by Rick Calvert and Jim Turner who asked me to consider becoming president of the IBNMA. After taking time to “count the cost” and after consulting with several trusted friends, I accepted the position.
Some of you may know that, back in 2004, sensing that blogging would become a profession and that people would make their living in some blog-related field, I attempted to start an organization called the Professional Bloggers Association. Even though we gathered an A-list of founding members and had over 200 individuals express interest in joining, the association never got off the ground.
When Rick and Jim approached me, I felt as if this was an opportunity to get it right the second time around.
While that was one reason I accepted, it was not the only one. Blogging and other forms of new media are becoming have become a profession and an industry is forming around blogs, podcasting and social media. Think of the number of people who are blogging for a living now. Add to that the blog, podcast and social network software providers, designers, developers and on and on. All these and more comprise this fledgling industry. And I, for one, believe associational representation is warranted.
I’m not the only one either.
This organization has a great opportunity to experience success. Allow me share the reasons why:
First, it has a committed executive board consisting of Rick Calvert, Jim Tuner, Miles Durfee and myself. We’re in the process of bringing on a fifth member as well.
Secondly, we’re also in the process of recruiting an advisory board of 12-15 people. While I can’t disclose any information about that at this point, I can tell you most of them are names you’d recognize.
Third, the IBNMA is building a big tent, large enough to include not only bloggers, but podcasters and social media folks as well. It’s also reaching across the entire spectrum of the blogosphere from marketing and business bloggers to political and media bloggers, sports and mommy bloggers, Godbloggers, milbloggers and everyone in-between.
Fourth, the organization has a substantial mission, to serve as a single voice representing members of the blogging and new media industry and as an advocate to promote its growth. We aim to do this through research, information, education and advocacy to bloggers, podcasters, social media consultants and others related to the industry in any way.
Fifth, the benefits, over time, will be many and include:
- Secure access to IBNMA Member Intranet with exclusive tools and resources
- Subscription to industry leading Blogger and Podcasting Magazine
- Monthly email newsletter
- Discount on training and certification classes
- Discount to registration to BlogWorld & New Media Expo
- Member to Member chat rooms and discussion groups
- Discounted rates on publications and special offers at the online IBNMA store
I hope you’ll consider joining us. At $25 for annual dues, we don’t charge an arm and a leg to join.
(You can also follow periodic updates on Twitter, @ibnma. We’ll be starting a Facebook group soon too.)
Topics: General Information |
June 24th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I’m glad to see this association moving forward. There is a ton that could be done as the association grows. Possibilities range from educating those outside our industry on the implications of proposed legislation to even offering some level of health insurance to members as the group grows large enough to make it cost effective.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Chris, I completely agree. All that will come in time, but it will come.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Mike Mueller says Social Media rocks!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Thanks, Mike. You’re right, Seesmic is cool and gives those interested in commenting yet another option. I appreciate your encouragement and support.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
[...] So much for “International”. In fact, so much for “association”, too. Technorati’s reporting there are several million blogs currently in operation, and the last incarnation of the IBNMA reached 200 members: … I attempted to start an organization called the Professional Bloggers Association. Even though we gathered an A-list of founding members and had over 200 individuals express interest in joining, the association never got off the ground. [link] [...]