Posted by Jess Saba on Tue, Sep 01, 2009 @ 10:28 PM
Many companies host blogs as a way to speak directly to the public. Much of the content is published to attract customers, media attention or public support.
While reaching the consumer and sharing expertise and industry insights on the web is important, your company can also use a blog to connect with the people inside your corporation.
An internal blog is a website which speaks to your employees, franchisees or temps. The blog can be available to the public or hosted privately on your company intra net.
Benefits of an Internal Blog
Promotes Discussion: A company blog gives each employee a voice. Comments, discussion boards and input can provide management with insight into opinions, needs, ideas and perspectives that may not otherwise be heard.
Quickly Provide News: If your company experiences a crisis, a new product release or a policy change, your public relations team can help frame a consistent message to handle the public opinion.
Event Information: Whether you need to provide information about the upcoming national sales meeting, fund raising event or community service project, an internal blog can be a hub for information, photos or directions.
Educate Employees: Frequent updates and breaking news about your industry, business or demographic will help expand your employees' knowledge of the most current developments and innovations.
Training: Blogs are a great way to provide training information to employees to help improve basic skills or company methodologies. Reminders about company policies or expectations can be included as well.
Creating Your Company Blog
- Decide if your blog will be public or private. Your audience will dictate the content, look and feel of your blog.
- Decide who will contribute to the content. Will your in-house public relations professional author all of the content, or will you have each employee write about their specialization?
- Choose a Content Management System. Do you have an IT person who can set up a blog for you?
Additional ideas for internal blog posts: CEO's picture of the week, sales updates, new internal contests, new projects, employee driven content and employee bios.