Bob: Blogging is an interactive medium

Bob Lutz appears from Geneva today. He's talking about the Saab Aero-X. Fine.

But, almost two weeks ago, he reached out to the readers of this post to ask for suggestions about how GM could communicate better with the market:

...but we need to step up our non-traditional communications and word of mouth, and get our message directly to the people on a grass roots level. This blog is one example — but we need more avenues, and bigger ideas. What do you think?

Now, I've been taking Lutz's blogging seriously since the start. But, in my way of viewing things, when you enter a medium like this, you embrace its conventions. In blogging, that means two-way communication, not broadcasting messages. And that's especially true when you ask for input.

So, what do those 300 or so commenters who took time to answer his question get back from Bob for their efforts? 

Nothing.

No, "thanks for the ideas, guys and gals," no, "you morons don't know what you're talkin' about," not even a, "hey I'm up to my tuchas in alligators, but I heard you and I'll get back to you soon."

Not cool, Bob. Not cool.

If you're gonna do this, do it.

Tags: GM Fastlane Blog Bob Lutz

Comments

[foodmomiac]

You are spot on. Thank you for posting this. I hear requests to help make corporate blogs all the time. Very few realize the true interactivity and time committment required.

[Tom]

Thanks, foodmomiac. Corporate blogging is one of those things that easy to do badly. Lutz has done fine thusfar, earning a pass from me on true interactivity because of what I saw as the candor of his posts. But not addressing the many comments he recieved was a blunder.