Blogs to the Rescue...
Southern Dems Still Exist posed an interesting questions about the use of blogs; can blogs be used to quell a PR crisis?
It is an intriguing thought. I think that the power and credibility of blogs is increasing, and that blogs could have a function in easing a public relations crisis.
In some ways, I think blogs are fulfilling that purpose now. Last week, I wrote about an article from the Detroit Free Press discussing corporation's creation and uses of blogs. Particularly, General Motors began to use their blog to respond to rumors of the elimination of some of their automobile brands and the decline in their companies stock prices. Many corporations are beginning to follow suite.
I think that blogs could be successful at putting out PR fires. The first rule of crisis management is to find out all the information regarding the situation and keep the public informed. An advantageous way to do so is by sharing information through the blogosphere. It provides a medium for direct dialogue between company or campaign executives and the consumer or constituent.
Blogs are a great way to keep in touch with what the public's concerns, questions, and frame of mind during a crisis. Companies can use their blog as a reference point to learn from visitors what they need to say and do to in order to resolve a crisis, as well as a platform to communicate their message with consumers.
It is an intriguing thought. I think that the power and credibility of blogs is increasing, and that blogs could have a function in easing a public relations crisis.
In some ways, I think blogs are fulfilling that purpose now. Last week, I wrote about an article from the Detroit Free Press discussing corporation's creation and uses of blogs. Particularly, General Motors began to use their blog to respond to rumors of the elimination of some of their automobile brands and the decline in their companies stock prices. Many corporations are beginning to follow suite.
I think that blogs could be successful at putting out PR fires. The first rule of crisis management is to find out all the information regarding the situation and keep the public informed. An advantageous way to do so is by sharing information through the blogosphere. It provides a medium for direct dialogue between company or campaign executives and the consumer or constituent.
Blogs are a great way to keep in touch with what the public's concerns, questions, and frame of mind during a crisis. Companies can use their blog as a reference point to learn from visitors what they need to say and do to in order to resolve a crisis, as well as a platform to communicate their message with consumers.
3 Comments:
You raise some interesting points here. I really like the fact that you tie blogging to crisis management as a possible venue to get information out to the public.
The only thing I would worry about if I was using a blog as a way to ease a crisis would be allowing people to respond to the posts. There would be no control over the negativity people might bring to the table about the crisis and it might intesify bad feelings. I suppose you could retract very negative comments from the blog but this might also serve to present a negative impression about the conflict.
I think blogs can not only re-direct a crisis, but can be used to start one! As imformation travels so quickly, you can "seed the market" accordingly.
Do you want that big old mess posted on the Internet? It decreases your ability to control the discussion.
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