Blogging: An Effective PR Tool

I had never thought of blogging as an effective tool for PR. I always thought a blog was simply a place where someone ranted and expressed their opinions. However, after learning about it in several classes and actually writing one of my own, I believe it is a very effective PR tool. Today, most people get their information from the World Wide Web.

Nuts About Southwest, a blog about Southwest Airlines (SWA), presents blogs written by SWA employees. Blogs posted on the Nuts About Southwest site are personal stories (an employee woke up to a dead squirrel in his toilet), Southwest success stories or just plain ole’ blogs that focus on Southwest’s top priority—the customer.

These blogs were used as PR tools by both Mary Kay Cosmetics and Southwest Airlines. The corporations utilized blogging to reinforce their ideals by writing blogs that appeal to their target audiences. Each blog, in some way, mentioned an aspect of their mission statement to grab the attention of their consumers.

Check out:
http://mlmblog.typepad.com/mary_kay/
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/

Forget the Automated Voice System...

Earlier today, I found myself arguing with the automated voice response system operator at American Airlines. After saying "NO!" several times to the robotic woman on the other line, I asked myself, "What are you doing? There is nobody on the other line to hear you!" Finally after pushing every number on my phone several times, I was able to talk to a REAL person and get my problem resolved. It might be a long shot, but I bet most of you have been in a similar situation.

We, as Americans, are so focused on making our lives easier and getting things done faster. However, our solutions do not always result in reaching this goal. The automated voice system is a GREAT example (I think) to one of these many failed solutions. Half of the time, the automated system cannot understand you or pretends it can and sends you to the wrong place. Often it takes several attempts at pushing the number zero or loudly voicing "help!" to talk to someone with real intelligence. I can safely say that I miss the days before the automated system, where I could call and talk to someone who knew what they were doing, or at least most of the time knew what they were doing.

With the creation of the automated voice system, I feel that the importance of communication is decreasing and reliance on the so-called easier and quicker, yet less efficient way of communication (such as the automated system), is increasing. I would much rather stay on hold for 10 minutes listening to calming classical music than becoming frustrated with the unreliable automated voice systems that many companies have started using.

If you are one of those many individuals that have found themselves arguing with the automated man/woman on the other line, I feel your pain. What ever happened to real customer service? How can we get it back? In the meantime, if you hear me yell help, don't worry, I'm probably just on my phone.

Welcome to my blog!

Hello!

My name is Katelyn and I am a senior at Southern Methodist University majoring in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. I am new to the world of blogging and am excited to learn the ins-and-outs of this communications tool!

This blog is for my Communication, Technology and Globalization course. It will discuss current trends and topics in the fields of communications and public relations as well as my thoughts and experiences that are pertinent to the subject.

Feel free to give me any pointers or tell me your thoughts! I appreciate any feedback you might have. Thanks!