Steve Shu's 21Publish Blog

Thought I would share some perspectives on why I blog at my personal TypePad account and at my work 21Publish account. Functionally, the blogging platforms between the two companies are very similar in when comparing the TypePad Pro features to the user-level blog features of 21Publish. The 21Publish platform is more targeted at group blogging and blog communities, however. This is why the 21Publish platform has two layers. A portal layer (on which entire portion of the main 21Publish website is built) and user-level blogs that subtend to the community (described here). As I have mentioned before, there is also built-in community intranet and group reading functions.

But back to the core of why I use two blog platforms. One blog is personal. The other blog is work.

My work agreement with 21Publish has specific intellectual property conditions regarding blogs and blog content. An an example, here's what one of these clauses may look like (not construed to be legal advice, just to illustrate that the distinction may need to be spelled out):

Ownership of Work. All copyrights, patents, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights associated with any ideas, concepts, techniques, inventions, processes, or works of authorship developed or created by [individual] during the course of performing work shall belong exclusively to [company]. Information published on the websites or blogs of [individual] shall be considered the property of [individual]. Information published on the websites or blogs of [company] shall be considered the property of [company].

These intellectual property rights are only one of the things that needs to be considered when blogging. Other things that may need to be considered are things like modification of content by either party. Who owns the modifications? Who owns any liability? I was just talking with an organization the other day that needs to run blog posts through its legal department. Surprised that that has not killed blogging in the organization. At least there may be some evidence that blogging has not achieved its full potential because of such a stringent workflow.

A second reason why I have a 21Publish blog is related to handling blog RFPs and sales prospects for 21Publish. As this part of the process, I can direct people to private-branded blogs we have done (includes graphic design, layout, etc.) and more shrink-wrap sales (e.g., use credit card to purchase). Some people have a hard time realizing that 21Publish does enterprise deals like the former, thus I've made some adjustments here until we update the shop and main portions of the 21Publish website.

A third reason why I have a 21Publish blog, aside from sales prospects, ownership issues, etc. ... well I've tried to develop a flavor at this blog that is more focused on non-profits, social networking, etc. here. My other blog is more general management-, management consulting-, and entrepreneurial-focused. The 21Publish blog is much newer to me (having joined two months ago). Still trying to find my sweetspot.

I am planning to start a new blog (yikes) as related to a new, 21Publish customer (knock on wood ... hope everything goes well). More details to come.