I have been blogging this semester for an assignment in my public relations campaigns class. My teacher, Dr. Russell, explained that blogging is the wave of the future for public relations. And so, as aspiring PR professionals, she wants us to hone our blogging skills.
I get that blogging is becoming an important PR tool, but I do not understand how it works. So, I have done some research and hopefully I can present a clear summary of what blogging for PR means for those who don't understand, or at least for me.
I think that the need for PR blogging can be easily understood through the following points:
1. More and more journalists and news editors are reading blogs to find new and
interesting story ideas.
2. Journalists find blogs faster and more efficient than reading press releases.
3. Blogs can serve as a direct line to interested media outlets.
4. Blogs are a personal way to communicate with publics and can add a human face to
a company. This can create a conversation between company and customer.
5. Blogs are a way for a company to immediately address crisis if one should arise.
6. The "human face" can create a personal link to the company, as well as establish
trust and people will buy from people who they trust.
Hopefully this answers someone else's questions besides mine! Now for my last question...can I put blogging under the "Skills" section of my resume?
Go here for some ongoing dialogue about PR blogging. http://webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=29987
Go here to find out why I claimed my blog yesterday, go to the "How Visitors Find You" section, but read the whole article too!http://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/2004/10/12/blogging-for-pr
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
When working, don't blog unless instructed to do so!
No matter what area of public relations a graduating wants to pursue blogging is becoming a necessary skill. I must admit that I am slowly honing this craft, but all facets of the PR world are quickly embracing this communication outlet.
In a sea of press releases and attention stealing publicity stunts (and image polishing rehab stints), competition for available media coverage is fierce. A growing number of publicity seeking businesses are turning to the blog. Not only do average people read blogs (I check 2 everyday, a sucker for celeb gossip!), but journalists and editors are reading blogs to find new and interesting story ideas.
For businesses, blogging is providing an immediate, personal and low cost way for them to discuss issues and promote products with the public. However, blogging about where you work as opposed to for them can get an employee into trouble.
This link takes you to a really interesting article from the NY Times about blogging on the job. http://http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/25/fashion/thursdaystyles/25intern.html?ex=1306209600&en=d6ba551d6bbfd13f&ei=5088
Basically what it boils down to is don't blog at work unless you are told to. While blogs can be an amazing PR and marketing tool, companies are quickly realizing that they can be detrimental if employees are blogging about the internal workings of the office. As a result, companies are adopting clear policies about what can and cannot be spoken about.
In my opinion though, as long as an employee isn't reporting scandalous info, than the "inside the office" blog could make the company more personable. I think that the higher-ups at Comedy Central were a little stuffy. What do you think?
In a sea of press releases and attention stealing publicity stunts (and image polishing rehab stints), competition for available media coverage is fierce. A growing number of publicity seeking businesses are turning to the blog. Not only do average people read blogs (I check 2 everyday, a sucker for celeb gossip!), but journalists and editors are reading blogs to find new and interesting story ideas.
For businesses, blogging is providing an immediate, personal and low cost way for them to discuss issues and promote products with the public. However, blogging about where you work as opposed to for them can get an employee into trouble.
This link takes you to a really interesting article from the NY Times about blogging on the job. http://http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/25/fashion/thursdaystyles/25intern.html?ex=1306209600&en=d6ba551d6bbfd13f&ei=5088
Basically what it boils down to is don't blog at work unless you are told to. While blogs can be an amazing PR and marketing tool, companies are quickly realizing that they can be detrimental if employees are blogging about the internal workings of the office. As a result, companies are adopting clear policies about what can and cannot be spoken about.
In my opinion though, as long as an employee isn't reporting scandalous info, than the "inside the office" blog could make the company more personable. I think that the higher-ups at Comedy Central were a little stuffy. What do you think?
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