DISQUS

Yeah, Yahoo! search and news search also included that listing about "no threat" at the top.

But, a Google news search for cool does bring up a Cuil news article at #4.
-Mike

Chris: At worst, you're giving away valuable ideas.

At best, you're spurring thought -- for people either to try them on their own or showing your value.

Either way, you're showing your expertise -- expertise that I can't usually customize to my particular needs. So, you may be too naked, but mostly, you're just strutting your stuff (and other people's stuff, too).

-Mike

Local, local, local (think hyperlocal is the term). Local media's strength is their knownledge of the community. Focus on local because they can't compete with national and international news. Too many sources there.

Increase online advertising revenue rates. Newspaper sites are the most heavily-trafficked sites. Use that advantage.

Though not lately, I've blogged on this before. If curious, my link takes visitors to my "journalism" category. But, the main points are above.

Chris makes some good points. I've seen my local (Toledo, Ohio, Blade) add video to its stories. It's a start.
Mike

Wow! This is a great resource. And shows how many people PR and other marketers of varying specialties are using Twitter. If you'd be kind of enough to add me, I would appreciate it.

NW Ohio, involved mostly in social media; but also involved in SEO (back up to employer's main guy)
http://www.twitter.com/MikeDriehorst

Take care,
Mike

Holy $_ _ T!

It's another opportunity for us to waste time. I bet there is good money waiting to fund a study about how social media technologies are spurring adult attention deficit disorder. No, seriously!
Mike

And, that would be why . . . . . ?

Just asking.

Ah, a classic sports-romance-adventure movie if there ever was one! It rates right up there with "Eating Raoul." Two all-time favs.
Mike

Selling "access" is one way to look at the role of an agency, and even an in-house marketing/PR etc. department.

But, wouldn't service and expertise be better terms?

Are company execs going to find time in their schedule to devote to participation in these conversations? Some will; most won't.

The wider lines of communication between companies and customers means there are more options, more opportunity and more demands. Someone needs to monitor, track, respond and participate in those lines of communication. And, whether from an agency or in-house, that person will be someone in professional communications (like PR).

I cannot see a business world where already maxed out company execs will make the time to regularly interact with the marketplace. They will do so more so than they do now, but it won't be a large part of their time.
Mike

Mr. Scoble,
Nothing I can type can really add to what's already been typed. Having lost my dad Nov. 5 after a long on-and-off fight against cancer, I can somewhat understand what you are going through (though, no one truly can).

You and your entire family have my full condolences and well-wishes.
Mike

"In fact they’ve come quite far, especially the younger folks."

Isn't that what you would expect, David? The youngens are fighting the establishment who are not as familiar with social media, and thus are very tentative. And, slow to adopt. For the most part.
Mike

Very touching and interesting stories. You give a side of WW II and Germany -- the potential divisiveness among families -- caused by people standing up.

We definitely should applaud your grandmother and grandfather.
Mike

I agree that comments should be included right up there with track backs. At least have the option.

I do raise another question: Do blogs have to be open to the public? Aren't there internal, corp blogs? And, what about "blogs" like DCX's www.thefirehouse.biz blog that is only open to media and bloggers? I'd say it's a blog.
Mike

Naw, don't have to move, David.
What we -- I live near the booming blogtropolis of Toledo -- have to do is organize our own Third Thursday or other WOM media get-togethers.

Seriously, Toledo, Ohio, has a very active blogging community and a good discussion board.
Mike

Geez, guys, you really are laying into Innocent Bystander. Yes, there are lots of things to waste our time. Most of us can wade through it all and still be relatively productive.
Because things like SL can pull in many who are mentally weak or even obsessive, there should be a cautionary tone when touting them too much.
It's all about balance.
Mike

I think Innocent has some valid points. He/She is not angry. I've never been too involved with Sims and just glanced around Second Life. However, I've seen and heard of people leaving the real world for these virtual ones. Sure, for most people, we can separate the two. But, for a whole lot of people, real families and lives do suffer.
People can do what they want in creating these virtual communities, but most people just need to get a *real life," not a 2nd life.
Mike

I saw the same type post at Rubel's Micro Persuasion. I find it kind of funny that both you and Rubel include your own blog as one of your favorites.

Why would you -- anyone -- need to add your own blog to your list of favorites? Isn't that assumed?

But, I do understand (and I'd do it too) as it helps in rankings, etc.
Take care,
Mike

The changes in popularity of bloggers shouldn't be too surprising, given the still relative newness of blogging. Heck, still most Americans -- I'd even say most people online -- are not familiar with blogs.

Blogging is still in its infancy.

As more people do blog, and even more learn about and read blogs, there'll be a bunch of new "young guns" in town to knock off the "old guard." ;)

Once the blog-reading population plateaus a bit, then it'll be difficult to move about in blog popularity rankings.

If that's what you (generally speaking) really set out to do as a blogger.
-- Mike
www.mikespoints.com

But, I'm still awaiting for coComments to be used on MT platform. I was told it was to be last Friday, but I don't see it available yet. I realize projects don't always go off on schedule. I'll be patient in the meantime.
Mike

Yes, that is sad that many in PR and other communications are clueless when it comes to the blogosphere. Unfortunately, they are often clueless in other aspects of PR and media relations. They are the ones who give PR the "hack" tag.

Not surprisingly, there is no news item or company statement on the Alaska Airlines newsroom page. Wonder if they will do anything, or just hope it blows over.
-- Mike