DISQUS

Chris,
Great basic starting point for developing objectives and strategies around a business blog. It seems a lot (too many) companies and their consultants/agencies decide to "do" a blog and then be like Nike (that is, just do it).

Developing a set of strategies is a great roadmap to help guide them. Again, I think it's part of the social media puzzle often missing.
-Mike

Expert, rock star, authority...all pretty much the meaning. As you noted Scott, when one labels themselves with one of or a similar term, they're trying to make up for something.

When others do it, it's recognition of some level of achievement, notoriety, etc.

For the past week, I've been thinking how similar professional hockey players and so-called SM Rock Stars are. Both have achieved a recognized level of success -- but also have the reputation of and often being very down to hear and approachable (as least those SM rock stars who didn't give themselves the label).

Generally speaking, social media is about pleasing one's ego (mine included) on some level. That's all fine and good -- as long as proper perspective is maintained. And, as you noted, that perspective is ultimately about providing value to customers, clients, whoever you are trying to reach.
-Mike (who found his way hear via Tonja Deegan/@TVDeegan)

Lunch 'N Learn is registered? Hah! I laugh at Laff Law. That is so generic, I've attended and put on plenty of lunch 'n learns, lunch and learns, etc.

Maybe you can get some freedom of speech legal defense fund or the use of generic names legal defense fund to handle your case?
-Mike

Jason: Definitely a great post. As KSU's Bill Sledzik noted in his tweet about it, this "everything is free" is something I've thought about as well. (My URL link goes to a recent post about what I call the "big Internet ruse.)

Free is great -- but there IS a cost. It could be in service, convenience or, as you noted, the short shelf life of a TV show.

Nothing in life is truly free.
Hope others get the message, too.
-Mike

To answer your question, Kat, yes, corporations (and even individuals) are poisoning the social media well. But, that's a good thing.

Already, there are enough supposed professionals in public relations, advertising and other traditional marketing communications who are giving others a very bad name with poor practices.

And, the same definitely is being and will be done in social media. That's just a sign of mass adoption (but we're still not there yet; not even close).

While that paints quality professionals with a broad negative brush, it does allow room for differentiation in the marketplace -- as well as more education on the part of those quality professionals.

So, welcome everyone in and, as you pointed out, keep "steering" them in the proper direction. Most will arrive there, and a lot won't.
Take care,
-Mike

I'd think a post like that, Chris, is one all levels of management in corporations -- big and small -- should read and have posted within eyes' view.

While definitely not easy, I see social media -- essentially social media marketing -- for companies as being simple. (A company won't "do" social media if it doesn't see a business-oriented result; therefore I added marketing.) It's simple and requires faith and confidence.

Simple as you don't need a rocket science degree. The principles are pretty straightforward.

Faith that your product or service does what you say it'll do. You don't have to "craft" a message. Sure, you have to focus on its benefits, head off or answer any questions about its downside, and even explain how it works. But you shouldn't have to create something when there's no substance behind it.

Confidence in yourself and your people that they can be the voice of your company (once they understand what the products do).

Social media marketing is about not focusing on your company -- but focusing on your customers, prospective customers and other key influences. It's not easy, but think it's simple. Maybe too simple?
-Mike

That (the news release by Home Back-Up Protection) just leaves me speechless -- at the idiocy, stupidity and plain old senselessness behind any thinking that, it's a good idea.
-Mike
(Thanks to Joseph Thornley, http://twitter.com/thornley/status/979834055, for the pointer here.)

Chris,
Great points about the corporate vs personal branding issues that all individual bloggers (whether a superstar or not) and their employers need to be aware of. When things are going well, both sides benefit:

> The employer from the additional exposure and the capabilities of the talent.

< The blogger from the support of the employer and the new professional opportunities the employer offers.

And, there are many others.

As social media becomes more prominent, the role of the individual will stand out more, not just from a customer POV, but from a corporate branding and marketing POV as well. There are no easy answers, but as long as blogger and employer are aware of the risks and rewards, the relationship should be mutually beneficial.
Take care,
-Mike