I started this blog two weeks ago, just after discovering the IABC Exchange (or eXchange, but it’s awkward to type that; I wonder who thought up the spelling).
Wondering how many IABC members have created a presence on the Exchange. Hard to find any. Actually, I don’t know where to look. I don’t see anywhere in the blog dashboard, the admin area when you log in. Neither at the main IABC website.
I’d say that’s one thing that needs doing - making discovery of other IABC members with Exchange blogs as easy as possible, thus making it very easy to connect with them.
Mark Ragan just connected to me here, which is really what prompted a visit today and a stimulus to write this post.
I’m writing this post offline using Windows Live Writer. It really is an excellent blog post editor which I’ve been using since the early betas a year or more ago.
It’s especially easy to use with a WordPress blog, which all mine are. This Exchange blog is also WordPress but the multi-user version known as WordPress MU. I wondered if there’d be any issue with connecting WLW to this flavour of WP, but there were none. As easy as setting up with a normal WP blog.
Anyway, discovery is the key word for this post. I’d like to find other IABC members here on eXchange (there, I typed it correctly).
Anyone out there?
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Hi Neville,
Your post ets to the heart of the issue: How do we IABC bloggers find other interesting blogs to read? Are we missing something? Is there a way to browse the eXchange site? to scan blog headlines and ledes?
And where are the collaborative tools that IABC outlined in its initial press release? The eXchange site is supposed to offer one the ability to:
– Create private or public discussion groups;
– Publish online newsletters;
– Upload and share documents between members.
I cannot find this stuff, can you?
I hope the association hears us because this site has TERRIFIC potential, don’t you think? I really love the idea of creating your own subscription list for your blog by inviting members through the IABC member directory.
For example: I covered Southwest Airlines VP Ginger Hardage when she spoke yesterday to the Chicago chapter. Some 50 association members were present, all of whom would probably be interested in my story. Now I can invite them to subscribe to my blog by toggling from the Member Search function and the Invite function.
This is exactly what an association should be offering, and I applaud IABC greatly for thinking up this tool. Now they need to work to improve it.
Chief among their tasks is the creation of a landing page where readers can browse all of the headlines and first paragraphs of everyone’s blog.
Neville, you should be applauded for your attention to this site. You and Shel Holtz are really the only serious communication bloggers to pay close attention to it.
Mark Ragan
Yes, I agree, Mark, this does have terrific potential. I haven’t looked into it myself yet further than just setting up a blog (which as you know is simplicity itself).
Discovering other IABC bloggers here, though, is not easy. Still no idea how to find any. I guess I’ll have to ask…
Neville, I agree. I have been interested in seeing how the IABC eXchange would connect its members and give that opportunity to Be Heard. I’ve not yet set up a blog, but am looking forward to doing so. I’m interested in using the opportunity from a personal perspective rather than professional and was looking to see how fellow IABC’ers may be doing just that. Unfortunately, until the most recent ‘What’s New’ e-bulletin came out, there is no way to search through member blogs.
I cam across yours by googling the x.iabc.com extension, so certainly happenstance. It would great if IABC took the intiaitive to create some sort of directory or search function for eXchange bloggers - people can then find fellows who share personal and professional interests.
Neville and Friends,
Now that members have had time to experiment with the eXchange and add their own content, we’ve turned on the browse function and we’ve also added a “Recent eXchange posts” feature on the main eXchange page at http://x.iabc.com.
You’ll see all the public pages members have created, plus any private pages to which you’ve been granted access.
We’ll be highlighting the best member-generated content on the IABC homepage and in our regular member communications. IABC gets a steady stream of fresh content, and members get a chance to connect with IABC’s global audience.
Always a work in progress…
Joseph Ugalde
Vice President, Marketing Communication
IABC
That’s good to know, Joseph, thanks.