You’ve probably heard the term “black propaganda” lately, and that can extend to “black blogging”, or perhaps to the lighter (and less malicious) “negative blogging” where people express their opinions about this or that company, person, product or service.
Well, an advertiser has an open letter to bloggers…
In Didi Paterno’s Dear Pinoy Blogger: An Open Letter From An Advertiser, you will read an anonymously written letter which basically enjoins bloggers to speak first with people behind a brand, before negatively lashing out online against that brand.
Here are some things which come to mind…
1. What’s stopping the Brand people from blogging, too?
If a blogger is “powerful” enough to bring down a brand because of his or her blog, can’t an advertiser also present their side by publishing on their own blog?
Can’t the advertiser reach out to their market via their own blogs? Can’t they connect, not just as an advertiser, but also as a person whom their customers will relate with, trust and like?
Blogging has low barriers to entry.
2. Anonymity and Credibility
Which do you think people will give more weight to? Statements from people they “know”, or statements made by unknowns?
3. Opinions and Thick Skins
You can’t please everyone. Someone somewhere out there will hate your work, your design, your writing, your grammar, your thoughts, and perhaps even your face.
And they will blog about it. And yes, it will hurt. Or it will annoy you a lot, such as when some people tag a not-that-flattering photo of you on Facebook.
Welcome to the internet. 😉
4. Jump Right In
Go ahead and jump right into blogging. Make mistakes. That’s the fastest way to learn.
And relax. You will survive.
The nega bloggers will soon tire of their black blogging ways. While it is much easier to destroy rather than build, it can get quite tiresome eventually.
