Don’t.
If you want to start a blog, start one about something you’re interested in. Not only will you learn everything about social media and blogging that you might learn with a PR blog, but you’ll also learn more about something else. While I don’t doubt that you do care about PR/Communications/Social Media, I really like to think that you’ve got other interests (if not, then your problems are greater than my ability to help you with them).
If you’re young and think you want to get your start in PR or communications, that’s great. Prospective employers will be happy to see that you have a blog and are involved in the online space. They’ll probably be happier still to see that you’ve got enough originality to think outside this realm, and become an expert in something that interests you. You’ll also be able to demonstrate that you understand the other side of the media fence.
You can still be involved in the world-changing discussions about social media and the future of PR that happen all over the web these days by reading and commenting. In fact, by blogging outside the social media bubble you might even become more of an expert than some of those social media consultants and gurus.
UPDATE: Darren Barefoot wrote a similar post today called Writing About What You Know. Definitely worth a read.
-Parker
12 Comments
I have been thinking about this very topic for the last couple of days, after talking to PR students at CPRS’s Passport to PR. After talking a little bit about my blog and why I decided to start writing it, one of the students said that they’ve all been told that their blog needs to relate to school or their career. I disagreed, and I think the fact THAT you blog is more important than WHAT you blog about. As you said, you’ll learn all the same principles of blogging writing about your cooking classes as you will PR.
To sum up, Parker doesn’t want to read 100 new PR blogs every 6 months.
Parker, Parker, Parker…I’m going disagree with you here. If a student or young practitioner is interested in communications, PR and social media, then why shouldn’t they start a blog about it. I’m not saying that blogging about these topics is necessary, but if someone is genuinely interested, then I think it can only help. I really feel that if you are looking to break into the communications industry, it can be helpful to show others that you have ambition, opinions and a real interest in what’s happening in that space. Writing thoughtful posts about your opinions on what’s happening can show employers you’re the real thing.
But please don’t think that I’m suggesting you HAVE to blog about PR/communications – I really only advocate it if you actually want to. Sometimes the hardest part about blogging is keeping it up and if you have no interest in your topic, it will be that much harder. I do agree, that blogging about something else that interests you is better than not blogging at all.
My 2 cents. :)
-Kerri
Howdy Parker,
As a former, BlogCampaigning contributor, I’d have to say I agree with you. I really enjoyed posting about public relations and social media, but perhaps I didn’t need to blog about those things to remain involved in the community discourse. Maybe a guru like Dave Fleet is better suited to “moderate” those discussions than a burgeoning PR student.
Since I’ve been writing about food and nutrition, I feel more confident and relevant in the realm of my subject matter. I think my interest and passion also shines through. You can tell when someone “feels like they have to write something to appeal to people versus when they are writing as a labour of love. It makes me want to post more frequently. I echo your sentiments 100%.
- Jess Bennett
@Kerri Okay, if a young practitioner or student genuinely wants to start a blog about PR/communications then who is Parker or anyone else to tell them not to? That said, some of the students that visited CNW for CPRS’s Passport to PR reported they were being told that they must blog only about communications or PR to have any hope of getting a job — that’s equally as preposterous. A well written, well executed, engaging blog about anything under the sun will demonstrate still ambition, passion and commitment to an employer. I don’t think that blogging about the industry is going to be the be-all and end-all way of demonstrating those attributes to an employer. When I decided to write a blog, the choice to not blog about the industry was obvious — I am a communicator working for a company that makes solutions for communicators, I am actively involved in two professional associations for communicators, for the last year and a half I studied communications, I often volunteer my communications services to non-profit organizations. I think my passion about communications is loud and clear and so writing about what I made for dinner last weekend isn’t going to hinder that.
Amen, Parker!
Using blogs and other new media to discuss new and social media seems a little too ‘meta’ for me, and in the end you just end up blogging about blogging. Once you arrive at that point, it can be pretty difficult to add value to the conversation.
I’d also agree the hobby approach is best, and provides ample opportunities for the blogger to showcase their knowledge of contemporary communications theory (and just as important, their writing ability). As a music lover, I’ll use my blog to take an editorial stance on tunes, but also combine this with how it relates to my professional interests. So while I enjoy talking about a new release I’m enjoying, I’m even more excited to highlight examples of innovative or noteworthy uses of new media in the promotion and distribution of music.
One of the biggest challenges for professionals starting out is showing an employer that they can move from the theoretical to the applied. So rather than talk about what you learned in school, why not apply the theory to discuss something (else) you love?
I wholeheartedly agree, Parker. I started my blog to put myself out there and discuss my true communications passion — crisis PR — and to get a job after school.
The funny thing with blogs though, once you’re seen as an expert (although those don’t exist…;)) by laypeople, you become “that guy who knows about Twitter and stuff.”
Great comments, guys.
Kerri – If you are genuinely interested in writing about communications/social media/PR, then go for it. As I said in the post above, you’ve got problems greater than my ability to solve them.
I just think that there are so many PR/social media blogs out there (BlogCampaigning being one of them…), and that if you want to make a name for yourself in the area there are better ways.
I’ve learned just as much from writing another blog on the side, about music, and seeing how PR companies pitch me as I have writing BlogCampaigning. It has also taught me just as much about how to write and be part of an online community as BlogCampaigning.
I think a great example is Eden Spodek – her blog isn’t about PR or Communications at all, and yet she is widely regarded as an expert in the field.
Amanda- That is disappointing to hear that so many students are being pushed to start blogs about communications/PR as the only way to get a job.
Clarkey – You’re damn right I don’t want to read 100 new PR blogs every six months.
Three cheers for writing about what you’re passionate about.
Parker,
Good point. It’s funny how things go, I gave a talk at Northern Voice ‘09 on how I have ended up doing social media strategizing and consulting even without wanting formally to work in social media. My PhD is in Environmental Studies and I’m a specialist in environmental public policy. I started writing a personal blog (http://hummingbird604.com) just because it was fun. Along the way, and thanks to the advice and help of many, many people (Darren Barefoot, Rebecca Bollwitt, J. Karen Parker, just to name a few) I have managed to learn enough about social media that, while not feeling an expert, I feel confident about what I do in social media. Quite obviously, I feel way more confident giving advice about how to minimize wastewater generation than I do about how to increase your SEO. But I’m passionate about both topics.
Social media should be a matter of passion, I think (and I agree with your point). And I am currently as passionate about social media as I am about sustainability and environmental policy. Which is good :)
Howdy all,
Looks like we’re actually all in agreement – write about your passion ;) I guess I just felt that the opening suggestion of “Don’t” was a bit strong. But I agree with you Parker, there are lots of PR/Comm blogs out there and yes, it’s hard to stand out. So I’ll add another suggestion – if you ARE going to start a PR/Comm blog, (or heck, ANY blog) make sure you supplement it as well. Have a Twitter account, LinkedIn Profile, Facebook page, comment on other blogs and really get your name out there. For some, it does pay off (I speak from experience).
@amanda, I didn’t realize the context of PR students being told that HAD to start a blog on PR/Comm, totally untrue.
@Jess Bennet – I sent Dave the link to your comment…hehe I’m not sure I’d call him a ‘guru’…but he knows his stuff ;)
Wow Parker! Thanks for the props. I’m humbled and flattered.
Although I’d agree being a digital communications person with a consumer-facing blog has helped differentiate me from other communications, I’m not sure there’s a best approach in terms of what type subject to blog about. IMHO, the best approach is to find something you are passionate about and have enough knowledge to dedicate countless hours to creating content and community around that knowledge. You also need a strong desire to be both a self-motivated learner and learn from others. I think I’m preaching to the converted here but it’s also important to get out and meet people who share your interests in real life – blogging is so much more than hiding behind a laptop.
BTW, you, Amanda and Jess have done a great job of blogging about your passions outside of communications and PR. I’m jealous my meals never look as beautiful as Amanda’s. ;-)
Cheers,
Eden
…and how could I forget Chris Clarke who has been blogging about his other interests for years.