Comments on: Dude, blogging is just so over

By: Yvonne DiVita

Yvonne DiVita — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:52:23 +0000

Robert,

Yes, you’re right. It’s splitting hairs. I’m not very familiar, other than having ‘heard’ of them, of all the CMS systems you mention. And, we could say, a website is a website is a website. In my limited experience – more than 10 years on the web writing for and working with clients – I’ve been so frustrated by websites that purport to be “user-friendly” for updating (using a separate CMS) that I delight in blogging tools. Even WordPress, although… it does require a certain knowledge of web tools, which Typepad does not.

Which all boils down to your point: who should engage in the conversation and who shouldn’t? That’s a question we answer with clients – before ever beginning a project. And, sometimes the answer is – not you, mr client. But, maybe someone else in your organization.

Here’s the rub – I don’t think blogging is for the noise-makers. I think it’s for the readers. As a reader, and a consumer, I am inherently distrustful of companies that won’t engage in conversation with me. And, trying to engage in conversation on a website – hasn’t been very effective… whereas, conversations on a blog (different kind of website) have.

So, we’re now up to the question of effectiveness. Which is more effective?

By: Yvonne DiVita

Yvonne DiVita — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:40:57 +0000

Dee, I get it. Better than you think I do. Here’s the difference between the way you do it and the way I do it – I think blogs allow everyone a voice – which is the American way, btw. And, I know that they engage the very people we’re all selling to: the public. That’s why I think they’re great.

I’ll check out your system… but, forgive me for being noisy again… they’re losing out by not supporting comments. I understand what Robert Scoble means – and I actually understand your decision – to each his own. But, there is no power in a blog. The power is with the people. Thanks for engaging in this conversation. I’m enjoying it – and learning something from a different point of view.

By: Mathew

Mathew — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 04:33:31 +0000

Sorry about that, Relk. You are totally right. My comments were offside :-)

By: Relk

Relk — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 04:05:03 +0000

Skateboarding is a juvenile pursuit that everyone eventually grows up out of?! I, as a skater am offended by it. Skateboarding is a way of life, not something to just try, then drop.

By: Dee Rambeau

Dee Rambeau — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 02:39:11 +0000

Yvonne, with some due respect, you don’t get it. My web CMS is home-grown, built out of MySQL and PHP. We currently have over 500 companies of all shapes and sizes using it, including over 300 PR Newswire clients such as Bank of America, Cigna Insurance, Home Depot, etc. All of them have the same capabilities I’ve outlined earlier but have strategically chosen NOT to. I have no lack of prospects or customers because of that exclusive sales channel with PRN. I have other means of getting feedback from customers…such as a customer intranet/extranet with a message board. I can then get my comments from my customers privately which is just how I like it.

Don’t be misguided in thinking I’ve run out of things to say because I stopped blogging. I’m just tired of the sound of my own voice in the blogosphere. There’s lots of loud ones out there like yourself and I’ve chosen not to contribute to the noise for awhile. Those people/friends/students/customers whose opinions I care about will still get plenty from me and have plenty of ways to give it back.

Like Robert has said, blog enthusiasts seem to be tied up in the “power” of the blog, whereas in reality good web strategy can accomplish the same thing.

I’d be happy to give you a demo of our award-winning content management system anytime you’d like. To read more, go to http://www.thefuelteam.com