Contributing Editor Elana Centor also blogs at FunnyBusiness

Some people start their businesses with "intention". They have a business plan. They go through IPOs. They have Investors, Boards of Directors and a huge payroll.And, even though they can be widely successful, from a SBA perspective, they are still a small business.

How Big can you get and still be a small business? Pretty big.

On the other end of the spectrum there are the freelancers and consultants--the one- person shops where the daily commute could be as challenging as reaching over to the nightstand and to turn on their computer.

With an audience that diverse,creating a blog devoted to Small Business Trends could either be seen as daunting or allowing you to have enormous flexibity.

Since 2003, Anita Campbell has been blogging about small business trends. This is a robust site with easy to navigate sections including,resources,a newsletter,marketplace, forum and trendtracker
which provides information on a new trend and then Anita shares her view of the implications of the trend. On the trend that small businesses are going virtual, Anita writes:

For vendors and service providers, reaching virtual businesses will be an even bigger challenge than selling to traditional small businesses. Often virtual businesses pick vendors by word of mouth. Because they rely on other businesses for much of their output, they'll tend to network and look to their partners for purchasing advice.

It will be hard to find the physical location of some virtual businesses, so the old fashioned sales call won't always work. With virtual businesses on the rise, companies will be developing new ways to communicate with decision makers. Think permission-based email marketing for one. Finding them online is another alternative.

Virtual businesses will run lean. They won't have much time to be sold to, so expect relationship management to take on added importance. Savvy companies will make the investment to recognize the special needs of the virtual business.

In addition to her blog, Anita has a podcast and she says that podcasting and small business go to together like a pair of running shoes and an iPod.

now business podcasts are being enjoyed by multi-tasking over-achievers. That would be you, Gentle Reader, yes? Be honest: I can hear Dave Matthews in the background, this screen is running next to a spread sheet, your boss is on line two, and your girl friend just IM'ed. And what's that pizza doing in your inbox?

Product and service providers (the pizza maker and that pizza deliverer) and advertisers love you. Which funds radio podcasts. For the six million listeners who downloaded podcasts.

You'll also find great links, resources and articles.Pour yourself a cup of coffee, if you are a small business with big plans or a consultant with big dreams, there's a lot to check out.