The Silent Blogging Believers
Deep inside some of
As much as this silent majority believes in the power of
open communication, they are either too timid or not quite ready to fully
evangelize blogging’s potential to others in their organization. Nevertheless,
despite their silence, it is this particular group of individuals that perhaps holds
the greatest power in the emerging micro sphere of influence. They are the ones
who will help blogging move further mainstream in 2005 – if we help them.
I am certain this silent majority exists. I have traded emails with dozens of individuals who work at well-known Fortune 500 corporations and have met even more face-to-face through events and one-on-one lunches. They all believe in blogging, yet have questions. They all want their companies to dive head-first into the blogosphere, yet feel insecure that they can sell it internally. This group is the five-ton boulder that sits up on top of blogosphere hill. You can feel its potential kinetic energy, yet it just sits there inactive, just waiting for some force of nature to give it a good shove. Our challenge in 2005 is to be that force. Let's befriend these folks, answer their questions, calm their concerns and give them the tools they need to sell blogging up the food chain. Why? The rising tide lifts all boats.
I urge each of my blogging readers to publicly
invite your
non-blogging readers to email you with their questions and concerns.
(To my non-blogging readers, my door is already open to you. Email me anytime. I may not respond immediately, but I will promise to get back to you.) I believe
in the power of many. If many of us evangelize blogging to those who we know
are interested, yet sit on the sidelines, it can have a tremendous impact.
"As much as this silent majority believes in the power of open communication, they are either too timid or not quite ready to fully evangelize blogging’s potential to others in their organization."
That's possible but its also possible that some see the blog as the latest way to escape the 4 cube walls and are reluctant to allow their employers in on the coming surprises.
Posted by: Earle | Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at 10:04 AM
Steve, I believe, I believe. You know this silent majority exists, because I'm one of them. But not for long. Thanks for the 'gentle nudge' and evangelism. It's not just blogging that will advance this year. I'm convinced that PR/Communications will rise up and making a lasting contribution to, and impact on, the cause of knowledge sharing and collaboration. The stone/boulder is rolling forth.
Posted by: David Forstrom | Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at 10:05 AM
I will be happy to answer some questions, if any, in Spanish.
Hispanic bloggers could get in touch with me.
Best wishes and happy new year!
Posted by: Octavio Isaac Rojas Orduña | Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at 10:43 AM
You're absolutely right, Steve.
And, Dan Gillmor noted in his new blog that the blogosphere's readership is growing at a nice clip.
The issue, though, is if these Fortune 100 companies go to their standard agency, or go to a cutting edge PR firm that understands the blogosphere (like yours, or like mine). I wrote about that today on my blog - that you need smart blogosphere PR, or it's just going to be ruined.
And, that's part of what the NewComm Forum is about - teaching corporations how to blog, how to approach the blogosphere, and if they even need to. Hope you guys can send someone out, or you come out. It'd be nice to meet you in person.
Posted by: Jeremy | Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at 01:44 PM
Steve, nicely said!
I've met many change agents in large companies, in particular, who very much believe in the power of blogging. They are making slow headway against the corporate mentality of keeping customers at arm's length. They are looking for ammunition in the form of research and case studies of how blogging is helping organizations.
We should all highlight and celebrate those companies who *are* doing good blogging now.
Posted by: Jackie Huba | Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at 06:28 PM