Rich Ord makes the case in an article in WebProNews that business blogs (he cites Steve Rubel’s Micropersuasion as an example) “are the beginning of the new business influencers ? complimenting business and industry websites and magazines. ” While it’s possible for these blogs to become profitable businesses, just like a trade publication, Ord believes

More promising is how industry blogs will impact business decisions. Industry blogs will become a primary source of information for managers and corporate influencers. We are on the verge of a new wave of successful e-publishing businesses based on niche blogs. Over the next couple of years I expect many popular business blogs to be acquired by larger online publishers.