Friday, February 5, 2010

Looking for the person in the blog

So far I must say that I have been sorely disappointed with many small publishers' blogs. Many small presses are using blogs as an advertising opportunity. Their posts are filled with marketing copy announcing their latest releases and events. Company updates are fine, along with other content, but that balance is often missing.

I am not certain if some publishers are using blogs this way because news updates are their driving purpose behind the blog or if they are uncertain as to how use the medium. Although Laura Hazard Owen is focused on twitter in her article "Twitter isn't stupid-but publishers need to be smart about using it", her advise on successful micro-blogging easily spills over into the use of company blogs. Asserting that twitter is not an advertising tool, Owen points out that social media are an opportunity to get personal and connect with the audience.

I have to agree with her. Publishers, yes, tell us about your releases. Yes, tell us what products you are excited about. But tell us also your concerns about the future of publishing; tell us who you will be reading on the couch this weekend. We've met the product, now we'd like to meet the person.

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