New Blog about Software for SMEs - how to out reach/monetize?

Hi Chris,

You answered your own question...
CEOs/CIOs won't respond to anything like that.

Getting feedback from any group is difficult if you haven't already established a relationship with that group, and what you are asking for is very general in nature from a group that is very focused on supplying solutions to their own set of "customers" (their company/board of directors).

If they had an issue with software they were using they would 1) go directly to the supplier for an answer, or 2) shop for replacement software.

If they are researching those answers - they are primarily doing it in the "trade rags" for their industry, or in technical journals (online and offline)

...and they are looking for solutions to a specific issue. CEOs/CIOs won't be spending any of their time on a blog that doesn't address specific issues!

Their attitude (for the most part) is going to be something along the lines of:
"If you don't know what problems I face... you certainly are not qualified to offer solutions to those problems."

After studying computer science, did you pull any time at all in the corporate world?
Their problems are not computer science problems - they are business problems, and computer software is just one of many tools they use to accomplish their goals.

You've picked a tough industry, but it's a huge industry with a lot of smaller niches.
Are you really qualified to compete in that arena? Do you have the credentials? Not just the formal credentials, but do you have a substantial track record of successes that you can use to back up any position you might take on your blog?

Thank you, very good reply and unfortunately similar to what I feared.

I worked for two years in a 300ppl company in the software department. You're right - enterprises use software as a tool.
The problem I see is: Many decision about software aren't based on knowledge and experience but on relations, marketing efforts and maybe sort of bribes.
But wishing to change that might be as reasonable as staying up and wait for santa clause...

Tough industry, yes - but it's the industry I'm passionate about. I do other things as well and other industries but they just don't excite me as much.

Qualified I am but not so much as a developer - there are better ones. I really get along with things in between software and company needs. I know that "we" developers like it beautiful and nobody understands us but I also know that "we" small business owners want to get things done.

I've got credentials, some decent ones, but they are all of a freelance nature. I enjoy my time with long term projects and few clients to focus on but at the same time I'm seeking to create something a bit bigger to reach the masses (even though it might only be the masses of a niche)