There’s so much talk out there right now about CEOs who are blogging, but there’s still a lot of mystery about who exactly these CEOs are. Obviously, a number of CEO bloggers do so behind a firewall, but here are three public examples of CEOs who are blogging—and doing it well, at that. (They aren’t in any particular order.)
Marriot CEO Bill Marriot — http://www.blogs.marriott.com/
Bill Marriot’s blog started in 2007, and has grown into a great high-level business blog. The blog itself is simple in appearance, but it comes across as clear. What does Bill Marriot say about the blog?
“I’d rather engage directly in dialogue with you because that’s how we learn and grow as a company. So tell me what you think, and together we’ll keep Marriott on the Move!”
For other CEOs looking to blog, Marriott gives two pieces of advice:
- Make it personal
- Stay away from out and out advertising
Go Daddy CEO Bob Parsons – http://www.bobparsons.me/index.php
Love him or hate him, Go Daddy CEO Bob Parsons has staying power. He started blogging in 2004, and in 2008 he turned the blog into a bi-monthy vlog. Don’t doubt Parsons’ success: His vlogs attract 75,000 viewers, with an average of over 200 comments per episode.
Why does Parsons take the time to blog?
“The main goal is for me to have an avenue to discuss some of the important issues that will impact how the Internet is run, by whom and under whose control.”
GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz — http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/
Bob Lutz jumped in to the blogging game in 2006, so there’s a ton of material showing him discuss GM’s very public financial problems. (If you want to see an executive deliver a tough message, this is the spot.) The blog does a good job of incorporating some multimedia elements, and also showcases other people in the business – it’s a blog for GM executives to talk about GM’s current and future products and services.
Giving leadership a voice
The Fast Lane blogs creates a very friendly atmosphere by pulling leaders from across the business to write posts. Also take a look at some of the other blogs GM is doing for a bigger picture look at GM’s blogging.
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There are many ways to pull off a successful CEO blog, but these just happen to be three very visible examples, and the material isn’t too technical for the average person to understand. For more on leadership blogging, see Blogging is Serious Business for Leadership.
EXCELLENT! So many people treat their blog like it’s their master’s thesis, with the result being they don’t post very often. And when that happens people tend to stop dropping in.
A homerun is great, but a solid single up the middle has value, too. Thanks Jennifer — you’ve earned a HELL YEAH!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your recognition of GM’s Fastlane blog. As you noted, it has grown since we launched the blog in January 2005. Our leaders and the social media team are glad to have a way to reach, listen and to engage with consumers.
Nice post, thank you.
Mary Henige
General Motors Social Media
@maryhenige