Comments on: Blog Relations Case Study: GourmetStation http://www.ideagrove.com/blog/2005/11/blog-relations-case-study-gourmetstation.html Bringing You Media News, Marketing Views, Celebrity Culture & Political Spin Since February 2005 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:58:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: SB http://www.ideagrove.com/blog/2005/11/blog-relations-case-study-gourmetstation.html/comment-page-1#comment-336 SB Wed, 30 Nov 2005 21:49:00 +0000 http://www.ideagrove.com/weblog/?p=368#comment-336 Steven: I think it remains to be seen what the customers of Delicious Destinations want in a blog. I'm glad different businesses are trying different things; that's the only way we'll really ever know what works. It's like the debate Steve Rubel put forward a while back re: whether Jack in the Box should blog. The supposed experts can offer their points of view, but the customer ultimately will decide. I personally have bashed blogs by Captain Morgain and others in the past, but now I say -- bring it on, the more the merrier. We'll see who wins out on the field of battle -- not at some blog panel discussion. Steven: I think it remains to be seen what the customers of Delicious Destinations want in a blog. I’m glad different businesses are trying different things; that’s the only way we’ll really ever know what works. It’s like the debate Steve Rubel put forward a while back re: whether Jack in the Box should blog. The supposed experts can offer their points of view, but the customer ultimately will decide. I personally have bashed blogs by Captain Morgain and others in the past, but now I say — bring it on, the more the merrier. We’ll see who wins out on the field of battle — not at some blog panel discussion.

]]> By: steven edward streight http://www.ideagrove.com/blog/2005/11/blog-relations-case-study-gourmetstation.html/comment-page-1#comment-334 steven edward streight Wed, 30 Nov 2005 20:00:00 +0000 http://www.ideagrove.com/weblog/?p=368#comment-334 I like Toby, but I must depart somewhat from her thinking here, as she knows.<br/><br/>I feel a Fictional Character, complete with false adventures, spurious opinions, and imaginary dedication, is the wrong spokesperson for the vast majority of businesses.<br/><br/>The most powerful representative is the CEO, Founder, or President.<br/><br/>Blog readers wish to contact and interact with real people. Think of the negative reaction to automated voice mail "press 1 for this", "press 2 for that" = customer alienation.<br/><br/>A real user or inventor of a product has high credibility.<br/><br/>The fact that no customers have complained is not sufficient justification for a marketing ploy.<br/><br/>Most disgruntled customers don't bother to benefit the offending company with commentary. They simply abandon them and switch to a deserving competitor.<br/><br/>Proof that a strategy works is not investment in it by concerned parties, nor lack of customer complaint.<br/><br/>The issue, the fuss is about the core values of blogging, real passion and real authenticity of real humans.<br/><br/>Blogs enable two-way conversations with real people, working together for a common goal: user satisfaction and company profit. I like Toby, but I must depart somewhat from her thinking here, as she knows.

I feel a Fictional Character, complete with false adventures, spurious opinions, and imaginary dedication, is the wrong spokesperson for the vast majority of businesses.

The most powerful representative is the CEO, Founder, or President.

Blog readers wish to contact and interact with real people. Think of the negative reaction to automated voice mail “press 1 for this”, “press 2 for that” = customer alienation.

A real user or inventor of a product has high credibility.

The fact that no customers have complained is not sufficient justification for a marketing ploy.

Most disgruntled customers don’t bother to benefit the offending company with commentary. They simply abandon them and switch to a deserving competitor.

Proof that a strategy works is not investment in it by concerned parties, nor lack of customer complaint.

The issue, the fuss is about the core values of blogging, real passion and real authenticity of real humans.

Blogs enable two-way conversations with real people, working together for a common goal: user satisfaction and company profit.

]]> By: Toby http://www.ideagrove.com/blog/2005/11/blog-relations-case-study-gourmetstation.html/comment-page-1#comment-310 Toby Sun, 27 Nov 2005 00:45:00 +0000 http://www.ideagrove.com/weblog/?p=368#comment-310 Scott - thanks for the shout out about the Delicious Destinations blog and your kind words.<br/><br/>We knew that we'd get some push back from 'traditional bloggers' however, never in my wildest dreams did I think (some) comments would be so vicious. A few times I thought we were single-handedly pulling the trigger on the blogosphere.<br/><br/>Yes, it is true...we have not received one negative response from GourmetStation patrons. Couple of reasons: 1. Donna has a deep understanding and appreciation of her customer-base 2. the blog was intended to provide value-added information on topics that support the brand e.g., food, travel, culture wine. 3. patrons were familiar with the icon - T Alexander and it was done in good fun, good taste (ouch!) and in "blogging style" - complete honesty and transparency.<br/><br/>Bottom-line .. the strategy worked for the brand. We've since added guest bloggers (who are real people and the pundits like that!)- a wine consultant, a travel writer, a B&B owner from Tuscany, as well as, a reader of the blog. <br/><br/>All the best<br/>Toby<br/>Diva Marketing (Blog) Scott - thanks for the shout out about the Delicious Destinations blog and your kind words.

We knew that we’d get some push back from ‘traditional bloggers’ however, never in my wildest dreams did I think (some) comments would be so vicious. A few times I thought we were single-handedly pulling the trigger on the blogosphere.

Yes, it is true…we have not received one negative response from GourmetStation patrons. Couple of reasons: 1. Donna has a deep understanding and appreciation of her customer-base 2. the blog was intended to provide value-added information on topics that support the brand e.g., food, travel, culture wine. 3. patrons were familiar with the icon - T Alexander and it was done in good fun, good taste (ouch!) and in “blogging style” - complete honesty and transparency.

Bottom-line .. the strategy worked for the brand. We’ve since added guest bloggers (who are real people and the pundits like that!)- a wine consultant, a travel writer, a B&B owner from Tuscany, as well as, a reader of the blog.

All the best
Toby
Diva Marketing (Blog)

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