Breasts Are Not Partisan
Whether you blog for business, personal, or just to rid your head of too much chatter (as I do), bloggers have influence. The influence I speak of is not based on Klout score or being paid to endorse a product. This type of influence is about words online with communities commenting and furthering debate.
Late last week, the nation watched the Susan G. Komen public relations debacle unfold. Bloggers I know held back before writing; others decided not to write at all. As the situation became stickier, it was the responsibility of bloggers to dive in and report, communicate, address the problem, and suggest solutions. Communities responded in droves.
Never mind how you felt about the decision. What I’m pointing out here is the age we’re in when people the likes of you and me have the opportunity and the power to reverse poorly made business decisions, that reek of inside politics aired on the national stage.
This case is a text-book example of social media marketing at its finest. It’s also an example of an organization that misunderstood the power of constituents and bloggers (as one of the primary factions) with other social media channels to influence a reversal in business that will affect (not impact…wrong word) Komen’s brand long term.
Just how many bloggers elected to write about this issue last week? Google search for “blogs” with keywords “Susan G. Komen, Planned Parenthood” delivered some 63 million sources (from all types of media). Regardless of the accuracy of this number and whether it is skewed to bloggers alone, the nation was abuzz.
The voices rang on all social media channels pushing at Susan G. Komen and Nancy Brinker (its founder). Facebook got slammed; Twitter streams and Google+ were all abuzz with this news of the day. Bloggers cannot take total credit for the change up by Komen. But, they should be proud of their interest, reporting, sharing, and the cascade of news delivered across multiple networks within communities.
Whenever you ask yourself, “Why am I blogging?” Think of this situation and know your words are important ones for your community. At a time when the light bulb is blinking for many an organization, heed this – do not shy away from sharing your twist on today’s news. Many people rely on information from their channels. Bloggers have influence and credibility, especially when they have built a reputation for solid and factual reporting of the angles.
Hey Jayme!
I needed this! The debate going on about blogging being dead and then about how much influence bloggers actually have had me thinking serious (that is actually something to worry about! 😉 ) But yes, we do have an influence. I was reading a blog the other day, where a woman shares here personal stories and triumphs and she was contacted by another lady who found hope and courage through her blog. She actually found her words so powerful that she felt that she had company! That is influence… and yes, now I am ready to believe that we bloggers have it… oodles of it 😉
Just like people, influence comes in all shapes and sizes, right, Hajra? Thanks for stopping in.
Oh absolutely! No power is too small as to be ignored! And if over 165 million people are blogging; then you got to be scared 😉
Hey Jayme!
I needed this! The debate going on about blogging being dead and then about how much influence bloggers actually have had me thinking serious (that is actually something to worry about! 😉 ) But yes, we do have an influence. I was reading a blog the other day, where a woman shares here personal stories and triumphs and she was contacted by another lady who found hope and courage through her blog. She actually found her words so powerful that she felt that she had company! That is influence… and yes, now I am ready to believe that we bloggers have it… oodles of it 😉
I think it’s particularly tough when it’s a hot-button issue, like this one. Many bloggers – including myself – are intimidated by the flood of online wrath we think might come down on us. At the end of the day, it’s a personal decision, whether or not to blog about a topic or issue, but getting over that fear can be tough.
YOU handled it with such aplomb; the issue and your professional delivery of the angles. When a blogger can do it that way, there ought to be less fear. That, however, comes with confidence. I’ve been in fearful mode; I hate getting slammed with trolls; it doesn’t feel good. In spite of it all, thanks for all you do, Shonali!
We’ve seen three of these instances that I can think of this year: Komen, Bank of America on their debit card fees, and Verizon looking to charge people for paying their bills online. I am so heartened that social media provides an opportunity for consumers and the public to actually influence the decisions of these large organizations.
You’re right! I think people are getting bold, too. They see how it works and the cascade only gets stronger. Thanks for coming over!
We’ve seen three of these instances that I can think of this year: Komen, Bank of America on their debit card fees, and Verizon looking to charge people for paying their bills online. I am so heartened that social media provides an opportunity for consumers and the public to actually influence the decisions of these large organizations.
I draw the same conclusions on today’s blog soup: https://wp.me/pbg0R-BW
Great minds think alike!
Gosh, I went to your house straight away and forgot to thank you for coming by here. What a stream of conscious post; are you emulating @TheJackB ? I’m sensing some kindred spirit thing going on!
Very good observations as always Jayme. We can thank the extremely active community of social media experts and influencers for their contribution in bringing things to light. Surprisingly, i didn’t see as much of the community comment on it as I would have liked, though a large portion did indeed (about 50 in total) Though this may have been because there was a bit of politics involved. Here are some charts showing the share of voice and share of mind as well as a virtual map highlighting the members of the community who mentioned it.
63 million. Wow. And it’s still coming. I made a note to check in on all of this in a year. I’m curious if it will have any effect on their fundraising.
In today’s op-ed section of The Wall Street Journal, two male law professors take Planned Parenthood totally to task in support of Komen. I do not believe men have any flippin’ clue when you’re in college and have nowhere to go for womens health services that Planned Parenthood fills the gap. And, it also does that for underprivileged women, too. Not everyone who goes there does it get an abortion, but that’s the focus. Again, I state…”body parts are not partisan.”
Eager for your annual recap on this one. Should be fascinating. Thanks, Chica.
Did you see Colbert go off on this last week? One of the Congressmen said 95% of what Planned Parenthood does is abortions. Colbert said it’s actually less than 10 percent. So the Congressman’s office had to release a statement saying he didn’t mean the percentage to be taken as fact. Give me a break.
This issue is the bane of politics. People can’t see beyond their personal convictions. I have no idea whether a solution is ever possible. #SAD
Great post, as always, Jayme!
I definetely agree that bloggers have influence! The Susan G. Komen issue is a great example of when it is important for regular people to use the power of the larger voice they can have through social media sites, such as blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We had an issue a few weeks ago when a Yahoo! Education writer listed the five most useless careers, three of which he claimed were in agriculture. Mr. Terence Loose was probably quite surprised by the really loud response he got from farmers, agricultural students, college deans and business CEOs across the US. These people united to use thier voices to discredit his false claims and bad journalism. Before the days of social media, this would have been impossible. So, thanks for sticking up for us Bloggers and our influence!
Rebekah
rebekahbowen.wordpress.com
Hey, Rebekah! What a great story from the ag side; love that! I don’t envy any public official or company spokesperson who doesn’t know the power of social media today. The examples are coming fast and furious, absolutely. Thanks for sharing this!
Yes, there is influence to be had in here and even thought we have a gazillion people in social, I feel it is still the tip of the iceberg. I see so many struggling to find their place but social isn’t going anywhere so I’m just trying to find a platform that is sustainable for me.
Do I think I can get people to listen to me through my blogging ‘words’? Probably, as long as I stay true to myself and not turn into a green booger like I’ve seen some of my brethren do lately.
I still see people trying to do TOO MUCH and I just want to tell them quality is still much better than quantity; you don’t have to be the pro on every single social platform that comes out. However, if it’s working for them, more power to them; most of it just looks like busy work to me.
Bloggers do have influence; even if it’s one person at a time.
We all need to remember that someone is always a newbie. When they start, they explore the posts, content, design, topics, and more of other established bloggers. You can bet you are influential to an entire network of people in commercial insurance wondering how and why you’re doing this.
That said, in your own community your posts prompt thinking and feedback and comments. That’s also influence — one person at a time.
Great stuff, Jayme. The evolution of journalism and media continues 😉
I’ve always felt that my words have massive impact in any form, for when I speak, it is passionate, inspired, and success-focused.
It’s nice to hear someone else encouraging me in this, thank you 🙂
hey, @Jason Fonceca Having a moment with new commenting system; can’t reply to you down below, so doing it here…
I’d say the first year of blogging is just a blur; nothing happens that you can tell and you just plug away. Then, voila, situations arise you contribute to and your words have impact. It’s an awesome journey!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I think that depends on what you define as your “first year” hehehe. 😀
@Jason Fonceca I just hit publish on what’s new tomorrow, (7 a.m.) and I saw your grin come through. OK, I’ll bait…what the heck? 12 months is not a year? Or, 6 months is a year in blogger speak? Give it…good night!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing lol, not redefine “1 year”, redefine *first* year.
For example, some people would say they were ‘just playing around with blogger’, until they “really started their first year of blogging on wordpress”.
Others might say “I was blogging for a company, until I started my first real year of blogging”
Etc.
For those people, their “first year” might not be a blur where nothing happens, at least from what I can tell 🙂
@Jason Fonceca Excellent, that helps me understand. And, makes perfect sense, too. You think there are a bunch of peeps just dinkin’ around with blogging, Jason?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing There are a bunch of peeps dinkin’ around in *every* industry… until they’re not anymore 😀