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I would also suggest claiming and tidying up the Google+ Local/Google Places entry for the business (or creating one if it does not exist) and ensure that the business is listed consistently in all the major directories in order that it is clear where they are and how to contact them.

Asking satisfied clients/customers for reviews or feedback, or pointing them in the general direction, can also help.

Maybe your assessment of what constitutes great content is a little off?

People are more likely to link to you if you engage with them - if you have great content (genuinely great) - then why not search on twitter for people talking about the subject matter, engage with them and point them to the content if it is going to be useful for them. If they like it there's a chance that links will follow.

Just one idea.

I would add the canonical to both, pointing at the preferred blog in both cases. (i.e. the preferred blog canonicals to itself.)