Awesome Power Of The Blog

Never underestimate the power of the blog.

 

Let’s start with the word itself. Not long ago “blog” made the new Webster’s dictionary, and it is defined as follows:



blog noun: an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author. blog, blogged, blogging v, blogger n
Source: Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.5)
Copyright © 2003, 2004 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC

Blogging has risen to an all-new media crescendo. A single post in a well-read blog may be echoed and expanded upon in thousands of other blogs, until the chatter hits such a point that a major news agency will acknowledge the story.

Dan Rather made the mistake of underestimating the power of bloggers in the CBS 60 Minutes fiasco, where he questioned President Bush’s National Guard service. Once the bloggers started questioning the authenticity, fact-checking and reporting procedures of the CBS anchor, the ramifications were swift, powerful, and really bad for Dan. Microsoft reportedly encourages its employees to blog about new products.

Obviously, with Regulation FD, which prohibits selective disclosure, blogging may hit some snags. I’m sitting on the sidelines as to whether I think public companies should encourage blogging by their own employees, or simply wait and see if they become the subject of a blog.

Nonetheless, blogs are making an impact in public relations tactics, and appear to be fast becoming a powerful tool. Currently the Court of Public Opinion is not ignoring the potential strength and influence of a blog. Watch developments and make your own decisions as to whether or not one blog, or many, would help your public relations initiatives. In any case, it would be wise to contact your securities attorney for advice before you make blogging a corporate policy.