Blogs and Wikis for Internal Communications

Introduction (Or, “Why Can’t We Just Use ?”)

Responses… 1. can’t be retracted.—It’s gone once you send it. 2. can get lost in junk folders and spam filters. 3.Two kinds of people use Those who don’t save everything and those who do. 4.Having a group discussion is difficult in .— Reply All or Nothing. 5.People are seduced into thinking is private. 1. can’t be retracted.—It’s gone once you send it. 2. can get lost in junk folders and spam filters. 3.Two kinds of people use Those who don’t save everything and those who do. 4.Having a group discussion is difficult in .— Reply All or Nothing. 5.People are seduced into thinking is private.

Best and Worst Uses of  Short, one-on-one communication  Catching someone’s attention immediately  Short, one-on-one communication  Catching someone’s attention immediately  Providing reference information that should be saved  Confidential information that should not be forwarded  Large group discussions Best Uses*Worst Uses

Tips 1.Keep short if possible. 2.… But don’t skimp on courtesy! (Include salutation and closing.) 3.Spell check & proofread for possible misinterpretations. 4.Include your contact info. 5.If you find that one of your s has evolved into a public group discussion, consider moving it to a blog. 1.Keep short if possible. 2.… But don’t skimp on courtesy! (Include salutation and closing.) 3.Spell check & proofread for possible misinterpretations. 4.Include your contact info. 5.If you find that one of your s has evolved into a public group discussion, consider moving it to a blog.

Blogs Types of Blogs, Uses for Blogs, How To Blog, and Blogging Tips

Types of Blogs  Traditional Blogs for longer journal- style entries.  Microblogs are emerging: Twitter, Jaiku, and Pownce  Traditional Blogs for longer journal- style entries.  Microblogs are emerging: Twitter, Jaiku, and Pownce

Best and Worst Uses of Blogs  Info that should be organized chronologically  Info that could lead to a discussion  Info that should edited only by the author  Info that should be organized chronologically  Info that could lead to a discussion  Info that should edited only by the author  Info that should be organized topically  Info that should be private Best UsesWorst Uses

Potential Uses for Blogs  Announcing changes: software, workflow, etc.  Professional Development: sharing current articles and research  Workplace socialization  Announcing changes: software, workflow, etc.  Professional Development: sharing current articles and research  Workplace socialization

Blogging Tips 1.Link back to older posts if you reference them. 2.Blog like you are writing a news story; most important info first. 3.If something is buried but still useful, consider reposting it to the blog and/or copying it to a wiki. 1.Link back to older posts if you reference them. 2.Blog like you are writing a news story; most important info first. 3.If something is buried but still useful, consider reposting it to the blog and/or copying it to a wiki.

Wikis Types of Wikis, Uses for Wikis, How To Use a Wiki, and Wiki Tips

Types of Wikis  MediaWiki, a solution for Wikipedia  DokuWiki, designed for documentation  Many others which can be hosted solutions (PBWiki), purchased applications, or open source installations  MediaWiki, a solution for Wikipedia  DokuWiki, designed for documentation  Many others which can be hosted solutions (PBWiki), purchased applications, or open source installations

Best and Worst Uses of Wikis  Collaborative projects  Info that should be updated frequently  Collaborative projects  Info that should be updated frequently  Group discussions  Private conversations  Info that should not be modified Best UsesWorst Uses

Potential Uses for Wikis  New employee orientation  Internal knowledgebase  Project management  Workplace socialization  New employee orientation  Internal knowledgebase  Project management  Workplace socialization

Wiki Tips 1.Don’t be worried about someone editing your work; it can be retrieved or re-edited. 2.Consider planning a starter file structure and starter content so people don’t get caught up in what to do. 3.If your wiki has a search tool, use it. 4.Keep a newbies link and most frequently used info links on the start page for quick and easy reference. 1.Don’t be worried about someone editing your work; it can be retrieved or re-edited. 2.Consider planning a starter file structure and starter content so people don’t get caught up in what to do. 3.If your wiki has a search tool, use it. 4.Keep a newbies link and most frequently used info links on the start page for quick and easy reference.

Conclusion Summary Chart, Getting Buy-In, and Final Communication Tips

Communications Tool Summary BlogsWikis Short, one-on-one communication Immediate attention Timely topics Group discussions Collaborative writing Reference documents  Group discussions  Collaborative writing  Reference documents  Collaborative writing  Reference documents  Private discussions  Info that shouldn’t be modified  Group discussions  Private discussions

Using a Tool Doesn’t Mean You Have to Stick With It… 1.Paste a public discussion to the blog. 2.Copy a buried blog post to a wiki. 3.Announce important new wiki resources via or blog. 1.Paste a public discussion to the blog. 2.Copy a buried blog post to a wiki. 3.Announce important new wiki resources via or blog.

Tips for Getting Buy-In 1.Put important info on the blog or wiki and then the URL to the group, thus leading them to the blog/wiki. 2.Copy an important mass to the blog or wiki, so that they eventually go there when they can’t find that . 3.If someone needs info from you that is not documented and should be, tell them, but ask them to add it to the wiki. 1.Put important info on the blog or wiki and then the URL to the group, thus leading them to the blog/wiki. 2.Copy an important mass to the blog or wiki, so that they eventually go there when they can’t find that . 3.If someone needs info from you that is not documented and should be, tell them, but ask them to add it to the wiki.

Final Tips: Your Words in Writing 1.People cannot see your facial cues or hear intonations in your writing, so proofread for tone. 2.Avoid using ALL CAPS! 3.Use the same courtesies in as you would a letter. 4.Call attention to mistakes indirectly. 5.Avoid negativity.— can be forwarded! 1.People cannot see your facial cues or hear intonations in your writing, so proofread for tone. 2.Avoid using ALL CAPS! 3.Use the same courtesies in as you would a letter. 4.Call attention to mistakes indirectly. 5.Avoid negativity.— can be forwarded!