Wordpress Users Encouraged to Upgrade to Version 2.8.4 ASAP

Over the weekend, Facebook and Twitter users spread the word about a malicious worm going around that is attacking self-hosted Wordpress users. While this isn’t “hot-off-the-presses” news as the upgrade was released a few weeks ago, I thought we’d pass along the information in case some of our readers have somehow missed the urgent need in the current upgrade.

Wordpress posted How to Keep Wordpress Secure at the beginning of the weekend to explain this worm’s threat.

If you haven’t already, be sure to upgrade to version 2.8.4 as soon as possible and pass the news along to your clients and communities.  You can download the upgrade or install it automatically through your admin panel.

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The Conversation Happens With or Without You

When we are in the planning stages of creating a social media plan for our clients, one of our talking points is to allow comments or not to allow comments. If the company is just beginning their social media presence, a look of concern clouds their representatives’ eyes and someone inevitably utters, “But what if the comment is something we don’t want to hear?”

This simple question represents a significant change in marketing practices (discussed in more detail in an earlier post). Companies can no longer hide behind artfully crafted marketing pieces and not be willing to engage in a conversation with their customers. Your company’s not providing a forum won’t stop the conversation.  Ask Dell.

For those of you who don’t know the story…. Dell had a few unhappy customers and didn’t provide the customer support they expected, and even worse, refused to acknowledge the unhappy folks. One of the unhappy ones decided to launch a forum at www.ihatedell.com where other unhappy folks came to bash Dell and help each other quickly solve their issues. It didn’t take Dell long to realize that their clinging to business as usual didn’t exactly work so well for the bottom line.

Dell’s solution? Read the rest of this entry »

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Social Media Sessions at Technical Communication Summit ‘09

The Technical Communicator’s Guide to Social Media

What should technical communicators be doing to harness the power of social media and social networks? Ninety-nine percent of the Baby Boomers don’t get it; many of the 30- and 40-somethings understand it; and I guarantee you that every one of the under-30 crowd gets it and uses it. So what are you doing to help your company encourage customer contributions to formal product documentation, and how can the concepts of tagging and ratings be incorporated into formal content to improve the user experience with documentation?

Two sessions at the STC Summit in Atlanta GA, will examine social media. On Monday, 4 May, Jenny Redfern and Lori Fisher present Social Networking: Improving Effectiveness and Demonstrating Strategic Value. Find out how Twitter, TWiki, blogs, and other social media matter for managers. Learn how technical communicators can use social networking technologies to improve internal processes and products.

On Tuesday, 5 May, Leonor Ciarlone presents Is Social Media at the Tipping Point? As technical communicators embrace social media and collaboration, we need to provide specific value and ROI to make the business case for adoption. This session highlights recent studies showing that the acceptance and use of social media and collaboration is on the rise.

More details about the STC Technical Communication Summit, 3–6 May, can be found on the STC website. The early bird deadline has been extended to 21 April. The early bird discounted rate is $795, which is $300 less than the onsite registration rate of $1,095. Split payments are accepted. Scholarships are available to members affected by the economic downturn.

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How Marketers are Using Social Media to Grow Their Business

Social Media Marketing Industry Report

Earlier this week, I received a flutter of tweets through my twitter account about Michael A. Stelzner’s hot off the presses white paper: Social Media Marketing Industry Report-How Marketers are Using Social Media to Grow Their Businesses.

Whether or not you’re involved in social media marketing today, you should take a moment to read the paper. Stelzner provides great details and plenty of charts to help you build a business case for easing into this new realm of marketing.

Major Findings About Social Media Marketing

Want to know what you’ll find in the report? Here are Stelzner’s major findings. I found these to be very interesting and spot-on with what I have experienced while working with my clients. In fact, the top three questions are always the first thing questions my clients ask! Read the rest of this entry »

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