Nov
28
2006
Google senior editor Karen Wickre on how she manages Google’s Official Corporate Blog
Posted in the Category of Podcasting
Googler Karen Wickre is one of those behind-the-scenes brains who is way too modest. She currently manages Google's 38 public blogs, including Google's Official Corporate Blog and eight country blogs (for Brasil, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland and Russia). But you'll hardly ever see her by-line. She's the genie behind the blog who gives entries submitted by other Googlers a light edit to ensure a consistent and informal voice.
We talked about how Google's official blog got started in 2004, who writes the blog (generally it's product managers), how sensitive issues like the Google Book Search program were handled on the blog, and how many hours a week she spends in her managing editor role. About 60 percent of her time, she told me, including time spent helping to launch Google's country blogs.
I'll post the show as an MP3 later. In the meantime, have a look in the Comments below at the two questions that were submitted via by listeners via Instant Messenging.
Which Instant Messenger do you use?
We used Yahoo! Messenger on today's show but I'm open to switching. My preference is to use Skype. Help us decide. Take our little poll here and tell us which is your favorite IM client.
Download the Nov. 28, 2006 show as a podcast (MP3, 12.6 MB, 55:09) or sign up for the RSS feed to get it (and future editions of the TCB Show) automatically.
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Comments
Josh Pieters said on November 28, 2006 at 06:08 PM
Question submitted during the live show by Josh Pieters (Reno, NV) about RSS feeds
Debbie, I’ve read your book, excellent read and I am 100% on board...here’s the scenario.....The company i work for is in an industry full of “old schoolers”. the plumbing indusrty to be exact. But really we’re not dealing with plumbers per se, but more like architects, engineers, designers etc...all who should be somewhat tech saavy. However, blogs are good to read but i find it a little difficult to sign up for feeds very easily. My concern is my blog will get read, but i want people to sign up for feeds, and post and interact etc. ......The question is, what is google doing, if anything to make getting feeds easier? I know about the Google News Reader and i use it, my fear is the average person will just skip the whole process. There has to be something… (rest of question cut off)
Chris Mitchell said on November 28, 2006 at 06:15 PM
Question submitted by Chris Mitchell (Auckland, NZ) about how to handle “unintended consequences.” (Note we didn’t have a chance to properly answer this question during the live show.)
I was inspired by Debbie Weil to set up a blog [url=http://www.dancetours.blog.com]http://www.dancetours.blog.com[/url] for my new company, Dance Tours http://www.dancetours.co.nz that allows passionate social dancers in ballroom Latin and Salsa to visit and dance in iconic cities throughout the world. Our first trip is to Buenos Aires in April 2007 to indulge in a week of Tango.
I refer to Debbie’s inspiration in my first entry on the blog.
Technology allows us to reach a global market, even though I prepare my marketing and blog material sitting on the beach under the trees here in New Zealand.
My question for Karen relates to ethics.
The bloggers who toured the US staying in Wal Mart carparks have been exposed and accused as frauds. The risks of ‘unintended consequences’ is a significant risk. Has Google faced such risks? How do you avoid them in your blog entries?
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