Comments on: Blogs: A Fad Like Pet Rocks

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 03:03:04 +0000

I don’t think blogging is a fad. I think it is where technology is leading us. Companies can truly benefit from it as well as individuals. It will be interesting to see what the future holds.

By: Megan_R

Megan_R — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 20:51:05 +0000

This is an interesting post. I for one had never even considered blogging as just a fad. I think all blogs, even personal ones like livejournal, have a distinct purpose and are useful tools that a lot of people will soon start to embrace. Blogging is just another way to communicate, which is something that people will continue to do. I think that more and more businesses will start using bloggins as a tool and the only way blogging will fall by the wayside will be when something newer and better comes along to take its place.

By: Lindsay_J

Lindsay_J — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 17:52:49 +0000

I agree with Dianne. Since the beginning of time, people have LOVED to throw their two cents in, which is enough reason for blogs to stick around: it provides another outlet for them to do such. I think blogs are being mis-defined, though. All the livejournals and blogspots that my friends keep could probably be considered a fad. Those are just online journals in my opinion (”Today I went to class… I hate this weather”). But real blogs, like the ones we’ve been studying this semester, that discuss industry trends and scholarly topics, are just as valuable as trade journals and publications, and in everyone’s best interest, SHOULD be kept around. Robert is going to Birmingham to tell some PR practitioners about blogging, maybe he should embark on a world-wide blogging promotional tour to tell everyone about the good blogging can do!

By: Claire

Claire — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 23:57:32 +0000

I like this post. Blogging is a much-debated topic as far as its longevity or lack there of goes. I think that is definitely has potential to stick around though. It is a way for people to talk about whatever they want…and lots of people like that idea. It is also a great way for companies and businesses to communicate with their publics or simply with employees and I think that businesses that have not already caught on to that (and taken action) will in a lot of cases in the future. Since rumors about companies start so easily, why not prevent them from starting or respond to them through a blog on your company’s website? Now, I don’t know that all companies will embrace this idea…but they should.

By: Sara M

Sara M — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 22:04:19 +0000

Thank you for this perspective. I never really thought of it that way…never really thought of blogging as a fad. That’s interesting that some people think that. I guess I think of blogging as another step up in technology. I think of it as a useful tool…whether it be a blog for a business, or a blog for personal use. I definitely don’t see them fading out anytime soon. Thank you again for the fresh perspective.

By: Dianne C

Dianne C — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:18:47 +0000

I can see blogging sticking around because people love to voice their opinion, especially those in PR. As long as people have a topic that sparks their interest, I think people will continue to blog. Because of today’s media and advancing technology, I doubt scrounging for a topic will be an issue. Buzz is everywhere. And people always want to be part of the newest thing!
Like ya’ll said, this is just another form of communication and it has great potential to increase relationships both on an internal and external level

By: Allison_p_c

Allison_p_c — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 16:57:18 +0000

Just another fad…Just another hurdle.
That is what it seems like keeps happening in the blogging world. Because it is so new, people are skeptical to its real power. I think that if people look at the blogging numbers and the continued growth, they will realize this is for real.
It is always okay to question new trends and things, and as you illustrated it will happen again and again. But atleast it keeps our jobs interesting. We will have to overcome these hurdles with every new trend, but doesn’t that makes things interesting in our field?

By: BillFrench

BillFrench — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 01:17:46 +0000

Helon …

Since many people don’t know what blogging is and how useful it can be I keep asking myself how long will blogging last?

It’s better to ask - how long will businesses (and people) want to communicate more effectively? This is rehtorical of course - forever is the likely answer.

I think Dave made this point clear — this is more about communication and less about blogging per se. Blogging is [presently] one the best ways to broaden reach, make connections with your audience, and increase publishing velocity. When something better emerges, businesses will want that too.

But consider this “ah-ha” moment - a compelling viewpoint from a skeptic.

It will be interesting to see how far blogs will come in the future.

One thing I am certain of - blogs will change and most likely for the better. Today’s blog architectures are of the “quick-and-dirty” variety. In an expanding market where the race is more important than the foundation, technology vendors are quick to cut corners. There’s never enough time to do it right, but there’s always time to do it a second time.

Imagine a blogging tool that allows a local merchant to create video commercials at the touch of a button. There are three things that come to mind - i) Local search/blogging will be extremely important, ii) video-blogs with amazing ease-of-use functionality will be required, and iii) lots of really crappy commercials will be available on the web. But… local merchants will connect with customers through this medium in local trading markets.

That’s one vision-snippet of the future - there are many more in the common goal of improving communication.

By: Helon

Helon — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 23:09:11 +0000

Bill,
I’m glad you posted this because I have mentioned it before in one of my posts on my blog. Since many people don’t know what blogging is and how useful it can be I keep asking myself how long will blogging last. I hope that companies will catch on and use blogs to their advantage. If more and more companies do begin to use blogs I feel fortunate and at somewhat of an advantage to being introduced to blogging in college. I hope that when I graduate I will be able to use this tool that I have learned about. Your post brought up good points about how everday tools were once considered fads. It will be interesting to see how far blogs will come in the future.

By: BillFrench

BillFrench — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 20:43:18 +0000

Yep - I like to make bold predictions because I’m usually right. And if I sense that I’m missing my mark, I try to influence the future to make it look like I’m a visionary. (ha ha)

Seriously though, I know you’re pro-blogging and my fad comments were directed at the CTO of Sapient. And you’re right - some companies will never embrace blogging, but they do so at great risk; likely great peril.

the idea of conversation and connecting with your publics in a circular bi-directional fashion

Agree, but I also don’t rule out the benefit of uni-directional communication as long as it’s providing useful content and meeting a communications requirement (e.g., Microsoft Office Research Services is a good example).

they’re not tech adept so it’s not on their radar and never will be, they’re not willing to invest the time

I’m sure there were pony express companies that refrused to automate.