Roads? Where We're Going, We Won't Need Roads (and Other PR Blog Jots)

Workplace of the Future
Jaffe Juice
In an apropos story considering the recent hubbub surrounding the use of social networking sites such as Facebook at the office (and the subsequent banning of that use by employers, which has been roundly panned by PR bloggers), Crayon President Joseph Jaffe posts about an ABC World News Tonight segment featuring Crayon as “the workplace of the future.” The segment broadcasts in part from Second Life, and highlights Crayon, already well-known in social media circles for their popular Thursday morning Second Life events, as a pioneer in the future of work. “Building the workplace of the future isn't PR spin. It's a commitment. We strongly feel that there is a revolution-a-coming and "employees" are going to revolt against companies who control and restrict their web access time, visit virtual worlds, ability to upload and/or download, share, blog and/or podcast. Perhaps that's why so many people want to work at crayon!”

Fear of a Black Hat
Pro PR
Joseph Thornley promotes the idea of “white hat” social marketing, or using the tools of social media to promote conversations and ideas rather than a single, specific corporate agenda. He promotes a post from Michael Seaton that calls for a “symbiotic relationship” between the consumer and the brand, and the creation of unique content that is beneficial to everyone in the conversation, not simply the company with something to sell. “I believe that the new norms of social media are being defined by this tension between the value set that is based on generosity, transparency, authenticity and community vs. those that are defined by the desire to generate short-term advantage and a marketing mindset that relates to the citizens as an audience to be acted upon and manipulated.”

Tramps Like Us...
Marketing Conversation
Reacting to a post on the recent Sophos study showing that Facebook users may be too free in granting friend requests, Chris Abraham wonders if he is virtually “slutty,” noting his hundreds of connections on sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN. The study questioned whether too much online transparency can be dangerous, but can’t large social networks like Chris’ be helpful and important? Would denying friend requests from strangers mean missing opportunities? “They’re all rockstars and A-listers, but am I too trampy?  Am I a slut?  How do you handle your social networks? I consider what I am doing is being a connector, being a mini Kevin Bacon, not a prostitute.  I love to game serendipity.”

The Specifics
Copyblogger
Citing another Copyblogger post claiming to show readers how to get 6,312 readers to a business blog in just one day, Chris Garrett makes the case for specificity in copywriting. Using precise figures rather than “guesstimates” increases your credibility, particularly when writing business documents such as proposals, case studies and even business blog posts. Occasionally, however, specific numbers are either unavailable or not appropriate. “You want your copy to flow. Ideally your reader will eagerly and happily read every line without pausing, all the way to the end. Including a specific that makes no sense to them is like creating a speed bump on the road to action. Specificity is one of the most powerful copywriting tools. However, as with any powerful tool, using specifics that do not add clarity and credibility can cause more damage than good.”

Comments

[Geoff Livingston]

Cute title! I like the white hat post. I'm just worried that many cos will ignore the white in favor of profits.

[Chris]

Well, two people - CC and Steve Coulsen - just left said future workplace (guess it has some major issues). I think two people is actually 25% of the company!

[Alan]

Yes - ironic that Jaffe's comment about so many people "want[ing] to work at Crayon" was actually followed last week by *four* of the Crayon staff resigning! (including the CEO).