Mike’s Points

Courtesy of The Chicago Daily News, here’s a link to some great journalism reporting and writing tips from the MIT Media Lab.

The contents of the various tutorials — including “bite size” and “one-minute” versions — run the gamut of producing good journalism. Examples include:
> On Developing the Idea
> On Reporting Process
> On Writing
> On Conducting an Interview
> On Localizing
> On reporting
> On photography
> On Interviewing

I’d say it’s a “must read” for citizen journalists who wants to be taken seriously.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Citizen Journalism

Do you read only blogs pertinent to your industry or interests, or do you have a variety? I would assume that most people stick to their industry, plus have a few select “others” they visit. Well, FWIW, here’s a run down of non-PR/advertising/etc. blogs that I frequently visit (in no particular order):

Autoblog
Jalopnik
A View Through the Windshield
Treehugger
Techdirt
Poynter’s Romenesko (though it is somewhat related to PR)
Media Nation
Machine Design’s Ron Kohl. If you ever had the chance to read any of Mr. Kohl’s editorials in Machine Design, you were lucky. Unfortunately, Mr. Kohl (as you’ll learn if you follow the link) recently died of cancer. I never met him, but his writing abilities will surely be missed.

Can you point me and other readers to other good blogs we should visit?
– Mike

Will history repeat itself?

Well, Forbes‘ Daniel Lyons felt the wrath of bloggers with his story “Attack of the blogs,” on Nov. 11.

I wonder how the blogosphere will react to Kathleen Parker’s piece about blogging. (Thanks to Ryan McGrath for the heads up.)

Parker is a bit heavy in some of her comments about bloggers:

“[O]ur new enemies–that interests me most. I don’t mean Al Qaeda or Osama bin Laden, but the less visible, insidious enemies of decency, humanity and civility–the angry offspring of narcissism’s quickie marriage to instant gratification.”

She seems more than a bit offended at the “journalist” tag given to some bloggers: “Bloggers persist no matter their contributions or quality, though most would have little to occupy their time were the mainstream media to disappear tomorrow.”

A self-proclaimed “blog fan since the beginning,” Parker, in all fairness does point out that some bloggers “offer superb commentary” — me? — and some are even “brilliant.” But, she lays in to what I assume she feels are the majority of bloggers: “spoiled and undisciplined.”

While she is overly harsh and brandishes the majority of bloggers in a bad light, she does have a good point. If you don’t like a blog, don’t read it. That’s the same as you can do with any newspaper columnist (like Parker?), talk show radio host or TV program.

“But we should beware and resist the rest of the ego-gratifying rabble who contribute only snark, sass and destruction. We can’t silence them, but for civilization’s sake–and the integrity of information by which we all live or die–we can and should ignore them.”

If you don’t like a blog, ignore it. And, likewise, I’m sure many bloggers will ignore Parker’s future colunns.

Now, the caveat for PR and other communications professionals: You can’t afford to ignore bloggers you don’t like. If they are pertinent to your client or your company, you must monitor them, and react accordingly in the best interest of your client/company. (How you should and can react is another post.)

So, while there is validity in Parker’s “ignore them” point, that can be a costly mistake for those who protect the brands of businesses.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Blogs

Courtesy of Slashdot, Kirk McElhearn has a thorough examination of online newspaper Web design.

His point is that, why can’t the online versions of newspapers offer the freedom to scan and read their contents the way readers can with a paper newspaper?

“Leafing through a paper newspaper, one sees headlines on each page, and may end up reading stories that would not be likely to show up when customizing a web site by subject and keyword.”

At the opposite end of offering “my” pages with your customized news, some newspapers try to fit too much onto one page. They “skimp” on the content. This doesn’t give much opportunity for readers to skim and read articles they might not normally be interested in. (He also talks about the annoying pop up and other ads. Amen to that, I say.)

I’m not sure what is the solution to merge the positives of paper newspaper reading with reading the “paper” online.

Is there existing gadets and technology to help resolve the problem? iRex Technologies is one. And, some newspapers are replicating their print editions as electronic versions.

Do you know of any online newspaper sites that give you the feel and scanning flexibility of their paper editions? If so, please leave the URL in the comments section.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Newspapers

The media coverage of this week’s trouble (Monday, Dec. 26) with Alaska Airlines Flight 336 from Seattle to Burbank, Calif., made a clear statement about the influence of citizen journalists. A number of sites and people — including Poynter’s Paul Grabowicz, Robert Scoble and Jeff Jarvis — have talked about it. They’ve even included the nasty comments the main CJ blogger has received.

But, what few — possibly only one person — are talking about is Alaska Airlines’ public relations dilemma. So far, only POP! PR’s Jeremy Pepper has discussed it.

Why should Alaska Airlines be concerned? Well, one main reason is the uncivil and even vulgar comments Alaska Airlines employees (based on tracking commenters’ IP address) are leaving. According to Jeremy:

“[I]t does really project that every organization needs to have a blogging policy for all employees. Even if the employees are not operating as official (or unofficial) spokespeople for the company, their IP addresses scream ‘I work for so-and-so!!’ . . . In the blogosphere, everyone from the company feels like they are part of the company, and part of the greater good. This is true for old companies, and new, but it is not the way it really should be. Employees are an extension of the company, and what an employee does is a direct reflection of the corporation.”

Yes, every company should have a blogging policy. That blogging policy should be part of a larger internal communications policy and program (as I commented on Jeremy’s post).

Hopefully, the potential PR pitfalls from the ease of blogging and commenting of blogs will spur a re-emphasis on internal communications. Word-of-mouth communication is stronger and more trusted than any “corporate” communication. Therefore, it is important for all company employees — from the janitor to the CEO — to be aware of their influence, and of their company’s marketing and communications activities. Examples include:

> What the company brand means (at least, what the company is trying to make its brand mean).
> What are some of the major marketing communications programs being introduced that employees might see.
> What are some of the new products and services being worked on.
> The important role that every employee plays in the success, brand and reputation of the company.

There are many other items an internal communications program and policy should include. For that last point, along with the important role each employee has in a company’s success and reputation, it should be stated very clearly the responsibilities each employee has and what boundaries there are in talking about the company. That’s where something like a blogging policy would be included.

Now, some may complain about limiting free speech and the like, but in business, a company’s brand and perception is as important as any product or service it offers. Companies need to be dogged about protecting its brand — externally and internally.

And, that’s my point.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Internal Communications

Being a journalist by education and early in my career, I’m always interested in the newest technologies that may help newspapers and give us a new way to read them.

Poynter’s Monique Van Dusseldorp had a news item from iRex Technologies on Dec. 23. According to the release Van Dusseldorp received, the wireless Internet gadget is: “[T]he first complete solution for portable electronic reading and writing….The always up-to-date information and low cost structure should make it easier to reach and even define new markets.”

It’s scheduled for arrival to iRex’s business partners — whoever they are — by April 2006.

Oh, and if anyone from iRex reads this, I am open to giving your new gadget (what is it called?) an honest trial. Just contact me.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Newspapers, Gadgets, iRex Technologies

Yep, it’s that time of year. Time to start anew. Start refreshed. A clean slate.

So, do you have a resolution for 2006?

What about resolving to keep an open mind? To start each project with a fresh slate.

The great thing about being in marketing and communications is the variety. Whether you work in-house or for a firm, every day and every project is at least subtly different.

Another great thing is the redundancy: the annual trade shows, new product launches, and even new business strategies and rebranding.

While no two projects or campaigns are exactly the same, you do get opportunities to try new strategies and tactics. You can prove yourself all over again.

So, for 2006, the next time you have a new product launch, don’t get lazy and dust off last year’s plan. Take a serious look at who you really want to target. Conduct research or even do some brainstorming about why your audience(s) should purchase or specify your product. Then, research or even brainstorm about how you can reach your audience(s) with your message(s).

Think outside of your specific job responsibilities.

What new technologies are available you can use? What old ways could still be effective? Can you combine the new with the old?

What about a PR stunt? What about developing a sales incentive program or sales contest? Instead of issuing a news release, why don’t you take your story to the media. What about an online news conference?

Whatever you resolve, don’t make resolutions only in January. Make resolutions — a fresh start — with each project.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Marketing

The Internet is all about information, right?

Okay, you can make an argument that it’s about communication as well, but you mostly type in www dot something for information. So, here are a couple good sites I can point you to. One is an eye on citizen journalism and other interactive media. The other is for pro bloggers.

Being a journalist by early education and career (and, at heart), I always enjoy the Poynter newsletters and site. While Romenesko is always a good read, I’m becoming a fan of Steve Outing as well. He often writes on “citJ,” as well as other interactive media and newspaper topics.

Thanks to BusinessWeek’s Stephen Baker for pointing me to Performancing. The site is a blog about helping professional bloggers blog. Now, I’m not a professional blogger — I have a life and a real job — but it looks like there is a good deal of information . . . even for us “amateurs.”
– Mike

Technorati tags: Poynter, Performancing, blogging, information

No, it is personal.

Everything is — or will be — personal. And, business marketers had better be tuned in to that fact.

When it comes to communicating with customers, prospects and decision-makers, personalization and customization is the new mantra. The automakers have known that for several years. Look at the specialty vehicles like the Trailblazer. Or, the Prowler. Or the SSR.

Adweek posted a great article about the media power much of the American public has — and will continue to desire. It’s about consumers making decisions and marketers responding to them.

This year proved to be a tipping point of sorts, as convenience has morphed into full-blown “on-demand” entitlement. It’s nothing short of a technological revolution that has enabled ordinary Americans to seize ever greater control of how, when and where they consume and create media content.

It’s all about our growing use of, and even dependence on the digital universe. With the growing penetration of broadband and wireless devices, we are pulling the media; not having it pushed on to us.

As those increasingly empowered consumers experiment in finding their way on the Internet, marketers must learn to accept that they will be along for the ride only if they’re invited. The days of relying on the push of a 30-second TV spot are numbered.

As the technology allows greater and more instant communications of consumers’ wants and needs, marketers had better be listening — and be able to respond just as quickly.
Mike

During the past few weeks, I’ve posted bits and pieces of a “blogging 101″ paper I put together for my employer. Below is another part, focusing on who should author a corporate blog. Much of the below is common sense. What I’d be interested in, is your take on the final part — the role of an agency. (Keep in mind, the audience for the below and previous is an agency.)

Blogs are very personal. Like instant messages and personal communication, they are one-on-one. While a particular client may be appropriate due to its industry and who it wants to target, if there is no individual or group who will champion it, then blogging is not for them.

As an agency, we can suggest topics, review and edit posts for potential negative impact and grammar, monitor comments and the blogosphere, but we should not “ghost post.” If we do post to a client’s blog, it should be under our own name. And, at times, that is okay. It can offer a fresh perspective. However, most of the posts need to come from the client to ensure its authenticity, credibility and purpose.

Blogs are viewed as personal, even if from a company. So, high levels of genuineness and transparency are required.

Client personnel who could blog include the company/association president, VP of marketing and sales, technical manager, sales manager and even a field sales person.

However, who has access to blog should be controlled to monitor/regulate posts. All posts should be funneled through one or two people at the client, plus the appropriate agency contact. The reason for the agency oversight is because, like other forms of communication, it is the agency’s responsibilty to be current on the latest trends, tool and issues. That’s why the agency is hired.
– Mike

Technorati tags: blogging, corporate communications, marketing

This made me LOL. Almost RAOTFLMAO.

Its about a study — due to be released today (Dec. 5) about Americans’ use of the Internet. The particular item was about the mobility of Wifi. The story was published by Agence France-Presse and I found it in the Hindustan Times (from Techdirt).

“The snapshot of how the Internet has changed American life, concluded that home wireless connections were allowing people to stay connected everywhere — even in the smallest room in the house….Since people were unlikely to be surfing in the bath, or while brushing their teeth, [Jeffrey Cole, of the University of Southern California Annenberg School Center for the Digital Future] said he had concluded that many of them went off into cyberspace while on the throne.”

So, in addition to making Americans look a bit silly, it is just another example of the Internet continuing to erode the influence of the daily printed newspaper.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Wifi

Recently, I posted a portion of a “blogging 101″ piece I developed for my company as a way to show the potential and practically of blogging for our clients. The first part was why companies should blog.

The part below is how companies should blog, and what companies could do to promote their blog. As with the other, I would appreciate any feedback and comments. Blogging is still new in the corporate world, and we are all still learning.

Because blogs offer immediacy and even a level of intimacy or informality, they should be active. Bloggers should post often, such as 2-5 times per week. People want fresh content. If a blog goes dry for a period, its traffic will dry up, too.

Posts can be virtually anything. Example include:
> Comment on industry trends, news.
> State a company position on an issue, trend, rumor, etc.
> Provide answers to questions often being asked in the field (that are not addressed elsewhere).
> Point visitors to other sites and blog posts of interest.
> Seek comments on R&D projects, or new products and services.
> Take an informal poll.

In addition to regular posting, here are other blogger tips:
> Read blogs. Both in your industry, and those of related interest (such as what is happening in a vertical market). Be familiar with what is happening in the blogosphere.
> Comment and post opinion on other blogs. That will show your involvement, and offer links back to your own site.
> Reference other blogs (via track backs) and more traditional Web sites in your posts.
> Include links to Web sites and other blogs on the main page. The greatest thing the Internet offers is information. If you can provide original content and links to information, people will visit your blog and Web site. The more people visit, the more who will know about your company or association. The more people who know, the more opportunity there will be for sales, business partnerships, media coverage, etc.

One thing missing in the last group of bullet points is submission to Blog engines like Technorati, Blogstreet, Blogarama, etc. I see those submissions and efforts more as the details, and left up to the agency or an in-house communications person. Not the VP or other company blogger.

My next post on the subject of corporate blogging will be who should post.
– Mike

Technorati tags: corporate communications, blogging, marketing

It looks like there’s a bit of city rivalry among bloggers in India.

According to “Daily News & Analysis India” (DNA India), Chennai has the most blogs of any Indian city, with 297. Bangalore is second with 218, followed by Mumbai with 186.

In the story, at least one blogger doesn’t give much credit to Chennai’s blogs, which were provided by India Blogstreet:
“‘Other blog sites don’t list figures. I’m sure, Delhi and Bangalore have more bloggers than Chennai,’ argues Bangalore blogger Anurag Jain.”

There’s no competition among India’s bloggers, is there?!
– Mike

Technorati tags: India, blogs, India Blogstreet, DNA India

BW’s Heather Green has a nice tidbit about the problem with people posting biased and just plain wrong information anonymously at Wikipedia. (Originally via Dave Winer.)

Now, to try to resolve that problem, Wikipedia will not allow anonymous postings.

Big deal.

That won’t stop people from posting wrong or, worse, purposefully biased entries.

Yes, there is a lot to be gained from the collective knowledge of society (at least those who have Internet access). But, nothing done by committee gets done. At least it doesn’t get done right. Too many cooks can make for a bad-tasting soup. (Sorry to butcher that cliche.)

There will always be problems with Wikipedia — and all things wiki — as long as there is no “champion” or a dedicated someone to oversee entries. As I mentioned in my comment, the Wikipedia is simply the ‘net version of society without laws and law enforcement. It relies on vigilantes to police itself.

Usually, that will work. But, there will be plenty of times that it won’t.

The real shame is that many won’t see the information in Wikipedia for what it is: a best effort to provide information — that is naturally biased, even on purpose, at times — and possibly incomplete.

The Internet is a great source of information. It’s just that you sometimes have to weed out what you see to get to the real truth.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Wikipedia, Blogspotting, Dave Winer, Wikis

The Internet has perpetrated a prank on us.

They — the Internet founders, early Web site developers, etc. — got us all to believe that the Internet is free. We deserve free access to information. We deserve to interact and exchange information freely via discussion boards, forums, IMs. We deserve free music downloads and the ability to freely share songs (until the music industry became involved, that is).

We were led to believe that if it’s published on a Web site, then we are entitled to access to that information, images, video, music, whatever.

That feeling is very persvasive still today throughout the Internet.

Even traditional media like daily newspapers fell for that prank. Stu Bykofsky in a Philadelphia Daily News column says:
“They (newspapers) give away their product for free on the Internet, then run in circles squawking like chickens when circulation goes down like the Titanic.

Even the dimmest hooker knows to get paid upfront.

‘Put the money on the dresser, honey.’

But suicidal corporate geniuses leaped into the Internet before figuring how to get the money off the dresser. Because everyone else was doing it, newspapers raced to post content on the Net for free, which is like burning furniture to warm your house. Eventually you’re left in the cold with no place to sit.”

For another example, look back a few months at the outcry from bloggers when they learned that DaimlerChrysler’s media-only blog — www.thefirehouse.biz — is open only to members of the media.

How dare DCX close a blog to allow private one-on-one interaction between the company and the media who cover it? Doesn’t DCX know that we have a right to view everything on Internet, especially a blog! The nerve! (Though, according to DCX’s Ed Garsten, who oversees the blog, legitimate and pertinent bloggers and online media members are being allowed access.)

Or, how about the recent bruhaha over Steve Rubel/Micropersuasion’s efforts to push the PR industry to taking advantage of and use social media technologies.

He took his “call to action” to a larger audience via a “PR Week” column.

Boy oh boy, did Rubel get blasted — and here, too, among others — for the way he tried to organized this PR industry push.

“I would like to invite Richard Edelman and Phil Gomes from Edelman, Tom Biro from MWW, John Bell from Ogilvy PR, Niall Cook from H&K, Richard Cline from Voce and other ‘new media’ gurus from the PR agency world . . . to join me on a private Writeboard wiki where we can brainstorm some joint action initiatives to immerse PR pros. Then we can take these concepts and present them to a larger group to weigh in.”

And:
“So far we have three individuals who work at mid-large size PR firms participating. I would love to see more of us join in the discussion. If you work at a midsize or large PR firm (e.g. 15 or more employees) please email me to get involved.”

Okay, so Rubel was arrogant in his call to action by excluding small firms and solo practitioners. He could’ve gotten his point across about the need for PR to be open to blogging and other sociable media, and started his effort privately.

While his method is very questionnable, why does (or did) he have to open up the New PR Wiki to everyone? Who says he has to?

Who says others can’t do the same thing?!

Why are so many seemingly so outraged about it?

You are not entitled to be included.

Oh yeah, I forgot. This is the Internet. We are entitled.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Internet, Newspapers, DaimlerChrysler, Micro Persuasion, BL Ochman, PJeremy Pepper, Much Ado About Marketing, Entitlement