Rachel, I’m thinking of writing a blog

Dear Rachel,
Ever since elementary school I have enjoyed writing, and that creative streak is part of the reason I got into media. I'd like to start a blog, but I'm pretty junior here and worry what my supervisors might think. What's your advice? Should I drop the idea? Clear it with my supervisor?– Sign me Pen in Hand

Dear Pen,
Your note leaves out one important fact: what the blog would be about.

If it's a personal blog, I would simply go ahead with it without discussing it with anyone at work. There's no need to.

However, I will offer the advice I would offer to anyone with a blog or for that matter a Facebook or Twitter account. Put your best face forward.

Refrain from writing things that are nasty and meant to hurt others and in all other ways behave in words as you would in any public venue, which is to say, don't embarrass yourself or make a fool of yourself.

We all harbor opinions that are uncharitable, and we spend a good amount of time filtering our comments about others for public consumption. It should be no different with a blog or any other writing venue.

Do I sound too prissy? If so, good for me. We should all be working to create a more civilized world.

Now say you are considering doing a blog about work-related issues.

That's a different game entirely.

I would most definitely go to your supervisor and clear it before going ahead.

You must assume that if you were to write such a blog, it would be seen by everyone—supervisors, agency executives, clients and for that matter rivals.

You do not want to be in a situation where you are writing things that conflict with what your agency is telling clients. That's just looking for trouble, and trouble will come your way. You can bet on it.

A compromise might be to help in writing your agency's blog, if it has one, or starting one if it does not. (And it really should have a blog.) Go to your immediate supervisor and offer your services.

Chances are they'll jump at the chance of getting a fresh perspective from someone who really wants to get involved with the blog.
 

Tags: agency executives, ask rachel, bet, blog writing, career advice, Dear Pen, Dear Rachel, elementary, media, media buyers and planners, media buying, media planning, perspective, rachel, rachel speaks, time