Commit or quit: Blog frequently or don't blog at all

I know, I know.

This post is already hypocritical just by reading the title. How can I tell others to blog frequently when I haven't followed the same advice? Well, I'm an entry-level individual and am bound to make mistakes.

What a lame excuse, right? This time is different. I'm actually writing down ideas for future blog posts. When I get inspiration, I make sure I text or e-mail it to myself. My alma mater is the inspiration behind this topic.

If you can't commit, just say no

Loyola University Chicago's School of Communication (SOC) is fantastic. No, this isn't an advertisement for the school. Almost every professor has professional experience. There are very few pure academics. Professors come from large newspapers, television stations, ad agencies and PR firms. Clearly they know their fields and have a ton of knowledge to share. These professors would make great bloggers.

The SOC started a blog last year. It got off to a strong start, but now it's essentially dead. The only post made this semester advertises an event. It looks like the SOC succumbed to bloggeritis.

Yes, bloggeritis. I'm coining this new term. Bloggeritis is when a person or organization starts blogging and then inexplicably stops. Perhaps blogging is too much of a chore. Maybe it got too boring. Whatever the reason, bloggeritis is bad.

When a person or organization stops blogging it looks unprofessional. If they can't keep up a blog, do they have an issue with commitment? Do they run out of ideas? Will they give up on me? How can the SOC be viewed as a group of communication experts if they don't communicate?

If a blog stops receiving regular updates, just remove it.

The bottom line

Everyone seems to believe starting a blog is a great idea. It is, if done correctly. My company is considering creating a blog with our own industry experts. If we can't get our experts to commit to constant updates, the blog would only serve to embarrass not only our organization, but the experts too. Why would anyone listen to an expert who rarely dispenses advice or insight?

I really hope the SOC either starts updating their blog or gets rid of it. It looks bad when communication experts can't consistently update a blog. Blogging has the potential to be a very powerful platform, but it's a dud for the SOC.

Additionally, the SOC recently established the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy. If they can't keep their blog or their site updated, why should anyone take them seriously?

Qantas update

Wow, November is just an unlucky month for the Australian airline, Qantas. ABC News reports that not only did the engine on their A380 fail, but so did several other systems on the aircraft. Today, smoke filled the cockpit of a Boeing 747. The PR team at Qantas definitely has their work cut out for them. If I was scheduled to fly internationally on Qantas, I'd be pretty shaken up.

As for Rolls Royce (the engine maker)? Well, besides two press releases, the company doesn't seem to be doing much. Reports say Rolls Royce will fix all affected engines.

It'll be interesting to see if other problems develop, but right now Qantas is getting all the flack. Why? Well, the average person thinks engines on each plane are all the same. Only those who understand the aviation industry know there are different engine suppliers. Qantas loses while Rolls Royce stays in the background (though don't think for a moment top management at the airlines aren't concerned with Rolls Royce).