Comments on: Answers for a College Project http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/ Marcom - Marketing Communications :: PR/Marcom Pros Mentoring Students Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:09:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: nitronerd - communicate with your organisation » Step by step http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-10441 nitronerd - communicate with your organisation » Step by step Thu, 05 Apr 2007 05:50:23 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-10441 [...] MarcomBlog, ‘Answers for a College Project‘ (30/10/2006). Retrieved on (30/03/2007) [...] […] MarcomBlog, ‘Answers for a College Project‘ (30/10/2006). Retrieved on (30/03/2007) […]

]]> By: Lauren N. http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-10386 Lauren N. Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:12:38 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-10386 Josh, Thank you for your post. It's nice to finally get some concrete advice about blogging in the corporate world. Most people just give vague answers about its place in business. I think it's important that you point out that blogs are usually more successful when they are created by a group of people who feel passionately about them. I know from having my own blog, that if it's not something that is important to you, it's hard to keep it up. I think the company really has to believe in the power of a blog and not just create it to be a part of the trend. I also like that you point out that it isn't always good to have a narrow scope of focus for the blog. I think too many corporations form one with a narrow purpose and end up running out of things to say. It is important to have a goal in mind, but it's also important to have flexibility and let the blog mature over time. I know that you say the importance of having a blog is different for every company, but how do you think a company should decide whether or not to have a blog? If a company seems to be unaware of blogging or not convinced of its importance, do you think this is a weakness for the company? Thanks again! Josh,
Thank you for your post. It’s nice to finally get some concrete advice about blogging in the corporate world. Most people just give vague answers about its place in business. I think it’s important that you point out that blogs are usually more successful when they are created by a group of people who feel passionately about them. I know from having my own blog, that if it’s not something that is important to you, it’s hard to keep it up. I think the company really has to believe in the power of a blog and not just create it to be a part of the trend.

I also like that you point out that it isn’t always good to have a narrow scope of focus for the blog. I think too many corporations form one with a narrow purpose and end up running out of things to say. It is important to have a goal in mind, but it’s also important to have flexibility and let the blog mature over time.

I know that you say the importance of having a blog is different for every company, but how do you think a company should decide whether or not to have a blog? If a company seems to be unaware of blogging or not convinced of its importance, do you think this is a weakness for the company?

Thanks again!

]]> By: Emily Anne http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-10326 Emily Anne Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:04:24 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-10326 Josh, I'm glad you pointed out that events and phone calls are equally as useful ways to reach customers. No amount of writing can replace the impression of face-to-face communication, a theory I hope will always be supported in the public relations curriculum. However, blogs give our companies a customer expansion that would not be possible if all we relied on was handshakes and smiles. After a company has decided that blogs are the way to go- how do you publicize it? How do you get the word out about your blog to customers, and more importantly- potential costumers? Josh,
I’m glad you pointed out that events and phone calls are equally as useful ways to reach customers. No amount of writing can replace the impression of face-to-face communication, a theory I hope will always be supported in the public relations curriculum.
However, blogs give our companies a customer expansion that would not be possible if all we relied on was handshakes and smiles. After a company has decided that blogs are the way to go- how do you publicize it? How do you get the word out about your blog to customers, and more importantly- potential costumers?

]]> By: Liz R. http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-9877 Liz R. Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:26:05 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-9877 This post caught my attention. In my PR campaigns class this semester, we are currently organizing PR campaigns for non-profit organizations around the community. My group is working with an organization that is interested in updating their current Web site. One of the ideas we are brainstorming is the creation of a blog. The blog would probably be a diary of the organization’s current events or activities. After giving out surveys, we discovered that the organization has a negative connotation within the community. Do you think that a blog could give the organization a more personal touch? I particularly liked the section about working with an organization that may not be the most technologically-savvy. I think this is important to remember because in my group’s case we are working with individuals who are not familiar with the Internet. When we brought up the idea of creating a blog, we emphasized that it would be simple to use. Thanks for the advice! This post caught my attention. In my PR campaigns class this semester, we are currently organizing PR campaigns for non-profit organizations around the community. My group is working with an organization that is interested in updating their current Web site. One of the ideas we are brainstorming is the creation of a blog.

The blog would probably be a diary of the organization’s current events or activities. After giving out surveys, we discovered that the organization has a negative connotation within the community. Do you think that a blog could give the organization a more personal touch?

I particularly liked the section about working with an organization that may not be the most technologically-savvy. I think this is important to remember because in my group’s case we are working with individuals who are not familiar with the Internet. When we brought up the idea of creating a blog, we emphasized that it would be simple to use. Thanks for the advice!

]]> By: Kristin H. http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7470 Kristin H. Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:51:06 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7470 This post provides great tips that will be well needed, especially when one enters the work force. Many people think that starting a blog is just something they should do, and they may not have put much thought into the actual process. A blog is a great communication tool, if used properly and efficiently. The idea that some blogs are great at the beginning, but fizzle out over time, is one that should be carefully thought over. If someone wants to start a corporate blog, they need to make sure their company can provide the necessary content. More specifically, not just any content, but interesting information that the blog reader can benefit from. The statement, "Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should," fits this situation perfectly. Many organizations want to start a blog to try and keep up with current technology trends. However, these organizations must realize that blogs will not replace their fundamental means of communication (telephone, e-mail), they will simply enhance them. Organizations need to truly decide what they want to get out of a blog and if they feel this outcome is needed, then they should implement a strategic plan. This plan needs to be carefully thought out and once again the organization needs to make sure they have enough content to keep the blog current. These tips are well needed and much appreciated. Thanks Josh! This post provides great tips that will be well needed, especially when one enters the work force.

Many people think that starting a blog is just something they should do, and they may not have put much thought into the actual process. A blog is a great communication tool, if used properly and efficiently.

The idea that some blogs are great at the beginning, but fizzle out over time, is one that should be carefully thought over. If someone wants to start a corporate blog, they need to make sure their company can provide the necessary content. More specifically, not just any content, but interesting information that the blog reader can benefit from.

The statement, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” fits this situation perfectly. Many organizations want to start a blog to try and keep up with current technology trends. However, these organizations must realize that blogs will not replace their fundamental means of communication (telephone, e-mail), they will simply enhance them.

Organizations need to truly decide what they want to get out of a blog and if they feel this outcome is needed, then they should implement a strategic plan.

This plan needs to be carefully thought out and once again the organization needs to make sure they have enough content to keep the blog current.

These tips are well needed and much appreciated. Thanks Josh!

]]> By: Amy http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7356 Amy Tue, 14 Nov 2006 21:09:51 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7356 Hello Josh, Blogging is an excellent tool for sending and receiving information, so it is understandable that people might confuse it as a good source of advertising. The difference is that the blog should be used to help the customer learn more about the company and the company learn more about its customers and their needs. Using a blog as a marketing tool seems like a good idea, but as your story stated it will also allow for some negative things to be said along with the good. Businesses should understand that if they try to use blogs for selling something, it could backfire very quickly. I believe that blogging is more of an opportunity for the company to gain information about its customers than anything. It is a wonderful way to learn how they feel about the company and its way of doing business, and that knowledge will indirectly help them sell items because they have learned the best way to market them because they now their audience so well. Hello Josh,
Blogging is an excellent tool for sending and receiving information, so it is understandable that people might confuse it as a good source of advertising. The difference is that the blog should be used to help the customer learn more about the company and the company learn more about its customers and their needs. Using a blog as a marketing tool seems like a good idea, but as your story stated it will also allow for some negative things to be said along with the good. Businesses should understand that if they try to use blogs for selling something, it could backfire very quickly. I believe that blogging is more of an opportunity for the company to gain information about its customers than anything. It is a wonderful way to learn how they feel about the company and its way of doing business, and that knowledge will indirectly help them sell items because they have learned the best way to market them because they now their audience so well.

]]> By: Wade C http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7344 Wade C Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:46:02 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7344 Hi Josh Thanks for the helpful tips. I think this is perfect information for anyone loking to start a blog or for those who have one and need some tips on how to maintain it. I've visited your blog several times and from the looks of it and that you are a highly respected social media consultant, it appears that you know what you are talking about. Maintaining a blog is much like maintaining a close knit relationship with your customers. I believe it lets them know you are comitted to the cause the said company has set forth. That being said, if companies aren't ready for the responsibility of maintaining a blog, they shouldn't start one. Hi Josh

Thanks for the helpful tips. I think this is perfect information for anyone loking to start a blog or for those who have one and need some tips on how to maintain it.

I’ve visited your blog several times and from the looks of it and that you are a highly respected social media consultant, it appears that you know what you are talking about.

Maintaining a blog is much like maintaining a close knit relationship with your customers. I believe it lets them know you are comitted to the cause the said company has set forth. That being said, if companies aren’t ready for the responsibility of maintaining a blog, they shouldn’t start one.

]]> By: Wade C http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7343 Wade C Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:39:41 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7343 Hi Josh Hi Josh

]]> By: Dallas Perry http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7342 Dallas Perry Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:38:13 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7342 Hi Josh, this is a great list. I aprinted this out so I could have it in the future. I especially liked what you said about building a relationship with customers instead of promoting yourself. I think that a relationship between two people or organizations working together is the main key in developing a successful campaign, project, etc. I also appreciated when you said that when a person finds what they like or are good at that they will be successful. Overall I think this Q&A has a lot of useful tips, thanks. Hi Josh, this is a great list. I aprinted this out so I could have it in the future.
I especially liked what you said about building a relationship with customers instead of promoting yourself. I think that a relationship between two people or organizations working together is the main key in developing a successful campaign, project, etc.
I also appreciated when you said that when a person finds what they like or are good at that they will be successful. Overall I think this Q&A has a lot of useful tips, thanks.

]]> By: Rachel M http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7341 Rachel M Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:21:28 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/10/30/answers-for-a-college-project/#comment-7341 These are some great tips for anyone looking to set up a blog. I agree that a blog should have good content or conversations for its readers. I always thought of a blog as an open air forum and to get people to participate you must provide them with good conversation points. The content of your blog should be well thought out so that your readers will be able to have these conversations. Blogging is all about building relationships with your customers. Unless a company is ready to put enough time and effort into blogging they should not do it. Companies need to be able to give their blogging customers the time that the customers want and give them good content. These are some great tips for anyone looking to set up a blog. I agree that a blog should have good content or conversations for its readers. I always thought of a blog as an open air forum and to get people to participate you must provide them with good conversation points. The content of your blog should be well thought out so that your readers will be able to have these conversations.

Blogging is all about building relationships with your customers. Unless a company is ready to put enough time and effort into blogging they should not do it. Companies need to be able to give their blogging customers the time that the customers want and give them good content.

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