Who do YOU Trust?

Folks, I've gotten a little side-tracked lately. Sorry. Trust that you will get the next installment of MY story soon. But a different issue of trust is weighing heavily on my mind.

Who do YOU Trust? Who do YOU Believe?
Who influences YOUR Opinions and Behavior?

If you answered, "well, YOU Lisa of course," then I'm flattered. Ah, shucks.

But WHY?

Is it because I have MS? If so, how do you know that I really do have MS? Don't worry, I do. Or maybe MS has me. Who knows.

Linda D. said something very nice to me yesterday. She said, "I enjoy this blog because you are always informative and insightful without harsh opinion one way or the other...a breath of fresh air."

Thanks Linda, I try to provide some sort of useful information, even if it's only for laughs or smirks. Certainly I try to avoid the pungent odor of human excrement around here.

But what if I were working with a hidden agenda?
Don't worry, I'm not.

But what if?

As an individual with a blog, I naively became part of the Consumer-Generated Media (CGM) generation. Sometimes this is referred to as Social Media, as opposed to Mainstream Media (MSM) like newspapers, magazines, television, or radio (hi Shauna). Basically, I share my experiences and opinions with readers such as you.

Consumer-Generated Media 101: Word-of-Mouth in the Age of the Web-Fortified Consumer - This basic primer on Consumer-Generated Media 101 (CGM) introduces the concepts behind the new reality of Internet-enabled consumers who are creating and sharing their experiences, opinion and content online…where their influence spreads rapidly to others. Learn what CGM is, how it's evolving and why it matters to today's savvy marketers, brand manages, public/corporate relations professionals and others. Coauthors: President/COO Mike Nazzaro and CMO Pete Blackshaw.

What if I were a marketing outlet in disguise?

There are many, many companies out there monitoring and analyzing discussions in the blogosphere, while strategizing ways to take advantage of social media in their marketing efforts. Here is one such company who visited Brass and Ivory recently.

Cymfony, a division of TNS Media Intelligence, is a market influence analytics company that sifts and interprets the millions of voices at the intersection of traditional and social media such as blogs and social networks to gain consumer insight and develop stronger bonds with influencers.

Do you think the companies trust me?

Another public relations company who has visited here several times in the past is Edelman, who seems to be interested in any mention of PhRMA or PPArx. Check out this report on who us 'normal people' tend to trust - 2008 Edelman Trust Barometer.

Trust Media: How Real People Are Finally Being Heard
(The 1.0 Guide to the Blogosphere for Marketers and Company Stakeholders) - Whether you're new to the blogosphere or a blogging veteran, this introductory white paper provides all you need to know about the blogging phenomenon: what it is, why it's hot, and why its influence has grown and deepened so rapidly. Take advantage of the "Get Smart Guide" of blogosphere jargon, and start to get a handle on who's who (and why) in the world of blogging. Co-published with Edelman.

Do I influence your opinion?

So when a public relations company wants to develop a relationship with blogging influencers, a question of ethics and procedure often arises. To address this need, Ogilvy PR discussed developing a Blogger Outreach Code of Ethics last year. Ogilvy handles the promotions of many pharmaceutical products including Betaseron which I discussed in February.

Do you digg my buzz?

If I mentioned a drug still in clinical trials which might improve nerve function for MSers, would you take notice and possibly ask for the drug if/when it came on the market?

Pre-Launch Drug Buzz: How Preliminary Buzz Impacts Post-Launch Discussion Among Drug Products' Target Audiences - Does online buzz by consumers and patients affect the success of a drug after it's approved by federal regulators for the pharmaceutical market place? This white paper examines the impact of online patient support groups and other online consumer forums where patients discuss common concerns, share ideas and treatment options and candidly lay out their own experiences with medical treatments and drug regimens. And indeed, small amounts of pre-approval buzz can have an impact on a drug's post-approval marketplace recognition. Author: Lydia Worthington, Head of Health/Pharma Practice.

And if you've read this far, and if you've received an invitation to 'join' Wellsphere.com, then please PLEASE consider why it is they want to swipe your blogfeed in order to 'build' their MS community. Beware. I know that I'm not the only one to have received such an email last night (hi Merelyme). It's something I'm simply not interested in.

Dear Reader, please know that I value your opinions and I value the trust you place in me. I am not a mouthpiece, nor an expert per se. I am simply a patient such as yourself who is navigating life with a chronic illness or two.