Lesson Learned: Embrace Your Local Bloggers
Posted by Nick O'Neill on March 18th, 2008 8:00 AMI’m not going to name names but yesterday I witnessed something that immediately grabbed my attention. An email from a local company announcing recent news for their company that could potentially have a positive impact on the entire local community. The only problem was that the email pointed me in the direction of a press release and this was the first I had heard of the news.
While some of you probably know what I’m talking about, the main point here is not what company made (what is in my mind) a bad decision, but rather that the mistake was made, and it was a decision that I’m sure a number of other companies regularly make. Building a community requires the collaboration of all participants. Whether you are an investor, a blogger, a company executive or simply a frequent attendee of local events, we all make our own contribution.
Personally, I felt side swiped when a local company that I have directly communicated on a regular basis decided to announce a press release without first privately announcing the news to local bloggers. While we may not have the same impact that the Washington Post or any other national publication does, we are the most active and most vocal group in the entire community. Cater to the desires of local bloggers and you will be handsomely rewarded.
Go against them, and you immediately have the most vocal group of individuals in the community building negative press for you business. Some might argue that all press is good press but honestly the bloggers and community activists take note of all of your company’s actions and having them spreading any sort of negative report for a startup can be devastating.
Perhaps my emotions have been irrationally exacerbated but as far as I’m concerned, cater to those that could become your company’s evangelists. The small things in business can make all the difference.
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Fair point. I dropped the ball and should have reached out.
Sean Greene
Co-Founder, LaunchBox Digital
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I've reached a different conclusion and have concerns about a few of thoughts expressed in your post. Here's my take:
http://strategicguy.blogspot.com/2008/03/blogge...
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