The blog is back.

A few months ago, I decided to take a little break from blogging. I’ve been reading posts by others, actively commenting on great conversations happening across the Web, sharing awesome content via social networks and taking in the many exciting things happening in the world around me. Until recently, I was perfectly content doing things this way.

Until a few days ago, when I cornered my boss and mentor Ari Adler with Flip in hand and asked him point blank: Why should I start blogging again? Here’s his answer:

Clearly, it didn’t take much convincing. I’ve been encouraged by friends and colleagues to pick things up here on the ‘ol blog and share my point of view with the world. Today, I read this post by Jonathan Morrow on copyblogger about his courageous triumphs in life and online. In his story, he said:

“You have to realize that your blog is more than just a collection of ones and zeros floating through cyberspace. It’s more than the words on the page. Your blog is a launchpad for your ideas, and you are the rocket fuel that lifts them off the ground.

So burn it up, baby.

Your ideas are counting on you.”

So here I am. I’m ready (in the words of my father) to get back on the horse and ride. I have ideas that I think can add to the conversation about social media, public relations and all things communications.

This is my first step, and here’s where you can help me and others like me. Did you ever hit a point where taking a break from your blog seemed like the best idea? What brought you back? What words of encouragement can you offer other aspiring bloggers that get stuck in a rut?

The Unsung Heroes of PR

Today the PRSA Chair & CEO Michael Cherenson spoke to the Central Michigan PRSA chapter about the PR profession, ethics and issues facing PR professionals in today’s industry. He shared stories about the evolution of PR and his experiences watching the profession change as he grew up around it, watching his father practice public relations.

During his presentation, Michael said something that really resonated with me: PR pros know how to say no. There are no awards for saying no. We don’t get media coverage for saying no. We don’t generally get praised by executive management for saying no. But we do know how to identify which ideas, opportunities or messages could be detrimental to our brands. We do know how to discuss the impact of negative stories with different audiences. We do understand that the media likes to cover bad news and doesn’t care what crazy stunt a company might be willing to pull to get attention for good news. We are the unsung heroes, protecting our organizations’ reputations.

In many cases, knowing when to say no is just as important as knowing when to say yes. The beauty of brainstorming is that there are no bad ideas, just the free-flow of creativity. But when ideas from the drawing board need to be implemented, it is often up to the communications professionals to identify which plans could be detrimental to the organization. By nature, communicators have audiences in mind with every choice they’re part of making and they understand that the idea of “no such thing as bad press” is a myth.

It’s important to take chances and it’s important to push the boundaries of creativity. But it’s even more important to remain conscious of the brand identity at all times and stay away from the kinds of messaging that could destroy it. PR professionals already fight stereotypes of being “spin doctors” and shameless self promoters. By keeping what’s best for our organizations and clients in mind and knowing when to say no, we can instead be the guardians of our brands. We are the unsung heroes.

What do you think? When have you said no because you knew it was the right thing to do? Why do you think saying no is often so much harder than saying yes?

Image credit: DJ Bass, Flickr