Blogs, blogs and more blogs

I must admit that Scobel and Israel’s, Naked Conversations, is not a book I would pick up off the shelf.  However, it turns out it has made me a believer, so to speak.  I never realized the effect blogs can have on a company.  And the book has made me acutely aware of the necessity to monitor what is being said about a company on the internet.  For instance, buzzmachine’s less than flattering remarks regarding the New York Times and their coverage of McCain investigation could have a dramatic effect.  The coverage could possibly draw in more readers (lest we forget bad press is still press) or people may be less inclined to turn to the New York Times for their election news.  Either way, it would benefit the New York Times to respond to allegations of improper coverage of a newsworthy story. 

I do have a few concerns to raise with Scobel and Isreal.  Many of their claims make it seem that blogs make or break a company.  I really do not see this happening even with the examples in the book.  Kryptonite is still an operating company.  The issue with their locks, to my knowledge, has not been publicly refuted or responded to, but they are still up and running. Yes, the blogosphere did contribute to a major product recall, but it did not close down the company.  I agree with the authors that Kryptonite should have openly responded to the bloggers and to their customers. 

Naked Conversations has opened my eyes to the effect of the blogger perspective.  Many articles are talking about the 19% stake a few hedge funds now hold in the New York Times.  To many readers that 19% may seem like quite a large share.  However, Gawker put it in perspective by saying the cost of those shares is equal to about three new yachts for the owner.  So, to the average man, that 19% investment may seem large, but to Larry Ellison, not so much. 

On a side note, every blogger needs to read the section on do’s and don’ts.  Do not bother blogging if you know it is not interesting, and unless you truly are an authority on a certain topic, do not pretend to be one (bloggers are brutal if you do not know what you are talking about).   

One issue that came up in our class discussion is that many people do not blog and do not read blogs.  There seems to be a generational divide between bloggers and non-bloggers.  Based on this idea, there is an outstanding question that Scobel and Israel do not answer.  Are all of these executives’ blogs reaching a large consumer base or just a certain demographic?  This does not take away from the effect the younger demographic can have on a company by blogging negatively, but it does make you wonder who is actually reading those negative blogs. 

Nick Denton of Gawker said “Everyone has this illusion that Web logs have taken the world by storm, but Web logs have probably only reached 10 percent of the Internet population. Our goal is to reach the remainder.”  Obviously, the number of blog readers has increased since 2004, but by how much?  Are people really reading blogs?  Or, are people hearing about things from blogs on their nightly news or Yahoo homepage? Any thoughts? 

Talk to me…

Scobel and Israel say in, Naked Conversations,  “Consultants, by nature, are often the sorts who like to try out new things.”  I will admit that as an events professional and consultant, I am the first to seek after new and exciting ideas and technology designed for the business.  However, I want to take their idea a little further.  Consider that as bloggers we are all consultants.  We are all sharing our knowledge, expertise and opinions with the globe.  Of course, I can write paragraph after paragraph on the newest flooring for a stage or the options for linen patterns, but I would rather talk about the mistakes I have made as a new event professional.  I would rather share the very few nuggets of wisdom I have to offer regarding those first few days when the details make your brain spin and the contracts make you go cross-eyed.  Just like Scobel and Israel point out, blogs are a conversation.  To me they are a dialogue or thought that often opens my eyes to new ideas or as I hope to contribute, save me from making the same mistakes twice.  So, at the end of the day, I would propose that bloggers are consultants in their own right.

Jay Rosen proposes that when things go awry after countless media predictions it is perfectly OK to say “the beast did this.”  Rosen, of course, referring the brainless beast we all know and love, Big Media.  How often have you listened to a broadcast regarding an upcoming primary or election, and heard the overwhelming consensus that “so and so” is a shoe-in.  I have to admit, I have gone to bed early thinking I all ready knew the outcome; only to wake up the next day and find that the anchorwoman I trust led me astray.  Regardless, I see Jay Rosen as a consultant.  He openly consults me to think for myself and to not get caught up in the urge to trust whatever “all American” face I see on the nightly news.  He consults me that “gangs have leaders, which means a mind.  That’s more than you can say about the media.”  Now, at times, I may find these observations a little harsh, but I also find that this observation encourages me to think for myself. 

The different bloggers on Gigaom do not seem like consultants.  They often report on other articles and occasionally ad a few of their own thoughts.  Of course, this is a valid way of blogging and having a conversation, however, this is not a way of consulting.  Personally, I prefer blogs that consult others on certain types of information that fall within the bloggers realm of expertise or knowledge base. 

Scobel and Israel make a point to refer to blogs as a conversation.  There is one problem with this definition.  Yes, most blogs do allow readers to comment, but, in many cases, blogs exist with little commenting.  I know that I can have a conversation with myself, but it is not very fun.  In the same way that talking to yourself may raise a few eyebrows, a blog that rarely receives comments will lose its effectiveness.  The lack of dialogue shows that readers are not intrigued, or are not learning anything from the blog, or simply do not see a reason to further the conversation.  The two way conversation is necessary to make a blog successful.  For example, have you ever noticed that you come away with significantly less information from a class where only the professor talks, than a class where you are encouraged to actively participate and activate your critical thinking skills.  The process can easily be applied to blogging.  A blog that actively engages the reader and asks relevant questions will successfully engage the reader and draw them into the topic at hand.  Don’t you agree?

Can you hear me now?

In Gillmor’s, We the Media, he refers to the Mirror, a web publication that states that the World Wide Web is, “for people who care and share and are aware.”  By using this example, Gillmor gives web authors a responsibility connected to what they write.  Of course, people will still rant and rave with no other intention than to rant and rave, but Gillmor holds bloggers to a higher standard.  He says, “Yes, technology has made it possible for millions to speak freely and be heard, many for the first time.”  Wow!  That is a heavy realization for those of us who choose to put our thoughts out there for the world to read. 

The blog, Make a Difference, posts short and informative paragraphs each day to show people how small changes can come together to make a big difference.  In Gillmor’s, We the Media, he drives the fact over and over again that grassroots journalism gives an individual voice the opportunity to make a difference.  I recently wrote a speech about how small changes in your everyday life can make a big difference to stop global warming.  Sometimes, I feel like I do not believe my own words.  After reading Gillmor’s book, it gives me hope that the “little people” can make a big difference.  Sometimes, I think that is all people need to hear. 

I am a firm believer in standing up for what you believe in.  Not shoving your thoughts or beliefs in other’s faces, but letting your voice be heard and being proud of what you have to say.  Gillmor believes that grassroots journalism gives “every man” a chance to have his or her voice heard. 

Gillmor also talks about the unique and exciting site, Wikipedia.  The thing I like most about Wikipedia is that there are people all over the world that never get a chance to share their expertise with the rest of the universe.  Wikipedia gives people a chance to share what they know and contribute to the knowledge of others.  Gillmor talks about the obvious issues open posting like Wikipedia allows, but shows that it really does not fall apart as expected.  However, people need to fact check sites like Wikipedia before using the information as correct and valid.  Often, people take the internet as fact, and this can be dangerous when so much of what is posted is opinion or hearsay.  Simply, be careful to check and re-check information from the internet that you distribute as fact.

No matter how much we write, Gillmor said, “I’m still not convinced that Big Media is doing the most important thing: listening.”  This is the ultimate problem.  I guess in a way I am contradicting myself.  I do believe that one voice can make a difference, but I also see that Big Media is not listening to the single voices.   Big Media is slowly catching up by allowing some of their journalists to blog on the company’s website.  However, these posts are carefully edited just like the black and white print of the actual newspaper.  Day by day we see examples of single voices standing out and being heard.  If we don’t believe one voice can make a difference, then will we ever speak?  I believe we can make a difference…do you?

In regards to my project of thinking first and posting later from last week, I did take my time before responding to posts.  I found that after taking my time to think things out, I wrote more relevant and thoughtful responses.  So, I guess it is a good idea not to write in the moment, but to step back and take that moment to carefully craft a response and hopefully start the original author thinking about what you have to say.

One Voice…It Makes a Difference

After reading Gillmor’s, We the Media, I had my eyes opened to so many new ideas.  I was particularly struck by the idea that every American knows exactly where they were the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated and on September 11, 2001.  I know I can remember that morning like it was yesterday.  I also remember the following day when I went to my regular morning class and was met with a lecture about getting on with life to prove that Americans cannot be stopped.  I never thought I would hear a lecture like that, a lecture like that at my normal university, a lecture like that when I listened between the lines I saw fear in my professors eyes and confusion in the eyes of each of my classmates.  As I walked home in a daze that day, I logged onto my computer and found my favorite sites covered in photos of the planes crashing into the towers.  More importantly, Gillmor pointed out that the “up to the minute” information would have been lost without the internet and television.  I never really stopped to think about 9/11 without the Net.  I never really stopped to think about any day without the Net.

Gillmor specifically mentions a few blogs that changed after the September 11th attacks.  Tamim Ansary speaks openly about an Afghan-American’s experience after the 9/11 attacks.  It opens new doors into thought and experience many “revenge hungry” (as he calls them) Americans may not have thought about prior to readings his blog.  Not only is he honest about what is going on in Afghanistan these days, but he speaks his mind on the success of the war and the appropriateness of the American response to the attacks.

You may be asking, why is this relevant in February of 2008.  Well, Gillmor proposes that it is relevant because with the evolution of blogs and other resources, we all have a voice.  Any one of us could be Tamim.  Any one of us could connect a single voice to larger media community.  It is no longer about what “the man” has to say each day on the six o’clock news; it is about what humankind has to say.  Tamim’s experience proves that a single voice can be heard when there are people that are willing and ready to listen.

However, the availability of instant news and, in turn, instant response can cause some problems.  Amy Cohen points out that most people hit the comment button when they have a bone to pick with the author.  How much time do you think we take before writing a comment?  I know if something really bothers me, I just click, type and send.  Maybe the instantaneous ability to speak our minds should come with a required filter.  You know, a small device attached to our computer that requires at least an hour before the comment can be sent.  Of course, we could always go back and delete something we wrote, but maybe we should stop and think first and write later.

I am going to take my own advice this week…results to follow.