Livingston

Feb
19
2008

Clique This!

19512045_0bd7082ece I’ve been thinking about the false assumption that there’s a PR blogger clique or a general hive mind in the PR blogosphere. It couldn’t be more wrong. Or if there is a clique, I’m not part of it.

Those of us who make up the PR blogosphere have a variety of motives.  For me, it’s marketing my business, and providing a service to my profession through a conversation about trends and best practices. If it was purely social, this would be a baseball blog.

That being said, I’ve made some great friends along the way. Too many to name here. But we disagree on individual matters in the PR conversation. We don’t see eye-to-eye, and we’re not afraid to call each other out. Because we’re adults, and it really is business.

This isn’t some juvenile teen-age game. It’s a group of individuals who are generally moving in the same professional direction. 

It’s no coincidence that these complaints come from some of the most negative bloggers in the space. What’s the value of this kind of blogging and commentary? Does constantly complaining really add to the greater conversation? There’s nothing wrong with pointing out issues or problems, so long as you offer a solution.  But just whining about cliques, lack of content or whatever the gripe du jour is? No thank you!

heathers

Please, add to the conversation with some sort of positive addition, new outlook, or create your own group of friends within the PR blogosphere. Another alternative: Just move along. Unsubscribe. I already have.

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by Geoff Livingston | PR |

10 Responses to “Clique This!”

  • Eric Eggertson Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 10:17 am

    What? I thought we were part of a clique? Damn! Now I feel like a lonely fool who has wasted his time courting everyone’s favor…

  • susan Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 11:18 am

    This is too big to have cliques. I do think, that just like being offline, there are people you connect with more than others. Unlike high school, anyone can jump into a conversation without the fear of being stuffed into a locker.

  • Kami Huyse Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    IN my opinion, part of friendship is having respectful disagreements. Who wants to just have a lot of “yes” people around them? Where are the ideas in that?

  • Geoff Livingston Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    Eric: I know, I’m so out of luck after wasting all of this time!

    Susan: Yeah, the clique thing smacks of jealousy and just bad ju-ju. Not sure I get it.

    Kami: You’re wrong! Just kidding ;)

  • Sarah Wurrey Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    as long as I get the red croquet ball, I’m happy. ;)

    I understand how those who haven’t gotten fully involved in this space can accuse PR bloggers of being cliquey, but I agree with you, it’s not like it is an exclusive club involves hazing and other requirements for membership. just join in!

  • Richard Becker Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    Geoff,

    I am not really sure what, but I am sure I disagree with something you wrote here. Maybe the way you single out and disparage teenagers after pointing to the “clique” list. j/k

    You generally do well with disagreement so I’d love to know what inspired today’s outing.
    I have a hunch I know what you mean. So drop me a note when you have a chance.

    Best,
    Rich

  • Valeria Maltoni Says:

    February 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    There are ebbs and flows on content, too. In a way, we are all explorers here. Testing tools, figuring out what we’re learning, pursuing various interests and passions. Some days we share experiences, some days we don’t.

    Nothing spectacularly different than usual human nature at play. We can’t always be everyone’s favorite, nor we should expect to be. I have found all of you here welcoming, open, and interested. Keep up the good work!

  • Jargon Shmargon (and Other PR Blog Jots) - Media Bullseye Says:

    February 20th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    Kramer auto Pingback[...] cut out these words and phrases, but I guarantee to you that far more people will understand you.”Click, Clique, BoomThe Buzz BinHave PR bloggers formed an impenetrable clique at the expense of everyone else? The [...]

  • Do Heathers need better PR? « Heather Yaxley - Greenbanana views of public relations and more Says:

    February 21st, 2008 at 5:21 am

    [...] as I feel that would be, well cliquey.  However, as Geoff Livingston chose to illustrate Clique This! with a picture from the movie, Heathers, I feel a need to talk about name [...]

  • Doug Haslam Says:

    February 21st, 2008 at 11:23 pm

    *sigh* the “clique” thing is like the “A-List” thing. It exists if that’s the way you treat it. Like-minded people get together, and in the case of the social media group, it is generally inclusive. I observe that the disagreements are the exception rather then the rule, but they are there.

    Clickety clack…

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