First client for PR Blogs Rock

The first client for my public relations platform PR Blogs Rock has had to postpone his launch because he needs more thinking time.

This is perfectly normal for individuals who consider setting up a professional blog. They want to get it right first time, and there are so many issue to think about.

It’s a university friend from 20 years ago, who is currently working in northern Iraq training Iraqis in forensic archaeological techniques. This is part of the reconstruction of the country, part of a new judicial infrastructure for Iraq.

The client has a history of writing longish emails. We chatted some months ago about the possibility of using a blog platform on which to store his writings and make them available to a wider audience.

After beginning the consultation it turned out (it’s always the case) that most ideas were only half-through through, and would require more guidance. I set up a temporary blog to allow the client to experience writing to an audience, experiment with the design options and get a feel for the time it takes to craft a post, upload a picture or video and so on.

I conducted an audit of sites which might bear some resemblance to the things he would be writing about – to demonstrate the style and tone of writing, the length of content, the variety in designs and the range of media.

But the biggest stumbling block? It’s always the same. ‘What do I call my blog?’ There’s so much to discuss around this subject and it’s fascinating to deconstruct the through processes that go on in a newbie’s head. In the same way, psychologists tell us there is a series of steps to pass through in the bereavement process, for example, so there is a sequence of steps through which the new blogger passes when choosing a name:

1. Do I use my own name (illustrates their lack of experience and knowledge)
2. I should be adventurous (acting on advice to think more laterally)
3. I should be even more adventurous (get in the swing of creative ideas)
4. I could call the blog ANYTHING (thinking out of the box)
5. Back to reality (will these be effective – too much choice)
6. Despondency (can someone please choose for me)
7. Revisit the adventurous names (get a boost of confidence)
8. Despondency (back to reality again)

This is where I come back in. The client has had a chance to consider lots of names, they have explored options and had some fun, now they need someone to rope their ideas in and advise them on what will work.

In the case with my client there are a range of other issues, not least of which is: ‘What do I write about?’

It’s easy to forget as a social media professionals that people need a lot of support when they first dip their professional toe into the water.

Check out PR Blogs Rock.