If you have a computer, a phone, a tablet or any devise that
connects to the Internet, I can almost guarantee that you have stumbled across
some form of blogging. It is even rumoured that there is no longer a count for
how many blogs exist in cyber space these days as the number is so great and
increases so rapidly it would be too hard to keep track.
We need to remember that Blogging has expanded past the
traditional forms and has expanded into Micro Blogging such as twitter and
Video Blog just for a few examples.
I know that I personally have been aware of the existence of
blog for a while now and do even read and follow a few myself. However, I have
never truly realised the true potential and value that a blog can hold.
During the time I have spent at my Internship I have come to
realise how much of an asset a Blog can be, but even more so, a relationship
with a Blogger. It may not be the case in all industries but for the Industry I
have been involved in Bloggers are the new Media power player. They have taken
such a large role in influencing certain publics and can have very strong and
loyal followings.
A large aspect of my Internship is Media Relations, so in
the beginning I started to build a media guide of the outlets I felt were
important the company builds relationships with. I followed the traditional
paths of newspapers, magazines, journalists, reporters but it was the blogging
world that really attracted my interest the most. With page upon page of Blogs
that focused on my industry not to mention located locally in Perth, this
became a large aspect of my research.
I have found that Bloggers are actually a key media for this
industry and any company within my industry. The particular target market that
we aim to reach really values the opinion of bloggers within the industry so to
have this segment on side became of key importance in the companies media relations
planning.
Blogging really has become an outlet to watch, and one to
make sure you do not forget when it comes to whom you want to build your media
relationships with. Considering current trends and the amount of people moving
from paper to the Internet, I can only see their presence getting stronger.
Just because individually they may each be just a little
fish in the big sea of the Internet, combine them all and that is a great amount
of power you are not harnessing or that could be ultimately working against
you.
Find out if people blog about your industry today, you will
be surprised about what you find.
Happy Blogging!
