Companies using blogs to communicate with their customers and using blogs to communicate within the company need to implement a blogging policy in order to protect the company’s image (1). If a customer feels or thinks negative things about a company then the customer won’t buy products from the company. After looking at several blog policies such as GM and IBM, I have comprised a list of several blogging policies that every business should have.
1. Follow the company’s rules of conduct (2)
2. You are personally responsible for what you blog about (2,4)
3. Tell the truth (3)
4. Link to online references (3,4)
5. Disagree with opinions respectfully (3)
6. Respect copyright (2,4)
7. Follow the law (4)
8. Be respectful to others (4)
9. Add value by having worthwhile information (2,4)
10. Add a disclaimer if topic related to work (2)
11. Keep corporate secrets (2,4)
With these simple rules, corporations can protect their image in their corporate blogs. Professional blogs can be helpful, but they also can put the company in a predicament. When a good blogging policy is implemented, a company can be assured that its blog will be of benefit to the consumer and to the company.
(1) http://blawgit.com/2008/03/27/your-corporate-blogging-policy/
(2) http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html
(3) http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/about.html
(4) http://www.corporateblogging.info/2005/06/policies-compared-todays-corporate.asp
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I agree with the policies that have been recommended. I would also like to add one more policy to that list that would be beneficial. This policy is that the information provided needs to be focused on topics related to the business. By adding this policy people will be less inclined to share unneeded information.
ReplyDeleteI think you compiled a very good, educated list. A lot of your policies seemed to match up with mine. I never considered Jason's point but i agree that all information should be business related. I really liked your comment about disagreeing respectfully. It always shows a lot of class and dignity when people can agree to disagree. Great list.
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