I’m moderating a discussion this week about CEO Blogging over on the IAOC blog. I’d love to hear your two cents on the numerous questions surrounding this topic du jour.
First question: Is it OK to ghostwrite a CEO blog? Waddya think? Click here to jump into the discussion.
Fortune 500 CEO blogger Jonathan Schwartz was quoted over the weekend in an AP story by Rachel Konrad titled Sun CEO Among the Few Chiefs Who Blog:
“The blog has become for me the single most effective vehicle to communicate to all of our constituencies – developers, media, analysts and shareholders,” Schwartz said in an interview in his Silicon Valley office. “When I go out and have dinner with a key analyst on Wall Street or a key investor from Europe and ask them if they’ve read my blog, they almost universally say yes.”
Check out my backstory on Rachel’s article, which ran in dozens of newspapers, as well as links to a list of CEO bloggers, etc. Dave Taylor and I were both quoted in the AP story.
Sorry Debbie I tried to comment on the other blog but I’m not a “joiner”. There is something scary about having to sign up for a password. I post my comment here.
I guess since I’m in the ghost writing business to some degree I should put in my .02 here and let you know that it is not only okay to have a ghost writer but it is actually being put to use. Dave is correct (although I hate to admit that to him), many CEO’s for whatever reason either cannot write or don’t have ability to blog about their company themselves. Perhaps it is a time issue or knowledge reason, they may be afraid to catch something from a blog:) In any case, a CEO can outline a message to be told and edit it if needed, but most want the blogger to talk about their business and inform or educate potential customers. They want someone that can follow niche areas and report news. Granted, if a CEO the likes of say a blogger that owns the Dallas Mavericks and has more money than God wants to write a blog, it may turn out to be more popular than a ghost writer, but I do remember The Donald’s blog and it was a flop. I think there is a balance between writing for a company and writing as someone. In any case, truthfulness should avail.
Comment by Jim Turner — September 18, 2006 @ 1:40 pm