PR's get the theory of blogging, but need guidance on implementation

PR's as a general rule 'get' blogging, but a new survey shows some big gaps in knowledge of how to implement a blog successfully.

PR's do understand the benefits of blogging and are very aware that as a form of communication to stakeholders it can be very valuable:

• 94.4% agreed or strongly agreed that blogging can humanise a company.
• 93.8% disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement ‘corporate blogging is a failure if it does not improve sales or increase a company’s share price’

And they do get that there are 'rules of engagement' when blogging:

• 96.9% said that being open and honest about your company in a blog is vital if the blog is to be successful

However, although PR's clearly understand the theoretics of blogging, there is still some way to go in the implementation of this theory. A large number of PR's are still sceptical of the potential for blogging, they lack trust in their clients and are reluctant to relenquish control.

• 50% said that ghostwriters could be used to provide the content for corporate blogs
• 50% of PR's stated that employees should only be allowed to blog if there was a formal set of guidelines which they had to follow
• 50.8 % said that they would not trust their clients to blog without their direct input
• Just 3.1% said that bloggers should have no restraints on their blogging practices.

Web 2.0 is a new medium. Some of the old rules do apply, but some definitely don't. Knowing which ones to use when means learning new skills.

Social media should be a part of your PR strategy in 2008. People do want to have a conversationj with you and they want to contribute ideas and opinions. Heck, your evangelists will even do your marketing for you, if you give them the right tools.

But before you rush in and make mistakes, get social media training and blog coaching and do it right.