The Publicity Hound’s Blog

Can’t think of a story to pitch about your business, nonprofit or government agency?

Thanks to TV producer Shawne Duperon’s excellent newsletter Shawne’s TV Guide, for this timely story idea: politics in the workplace.

Shawne suggests you pitch the idea to your local TV stations, daily and weekly newspapers, and bloggers who cover your industry. It’s too late for trade publications but still a great opportunity for publicity in business journals.

Shawne suggests these talking points:

Is it safe to talk politics in the office?
Is it unavoidable?
How loud and frequent is the conversation in your workplace?
Does your organization have a policy about discussing politics with clients or customers?
What’s the proper office etiquette?

I suggest these:

Do you have policies governing T-shirts, campaign buttons and bumper stickers inside the office?
Are you a sole proprietor? If so, do you ever discuss politics with your clients or customers? If not, would you consider discussing it if you knew that you and a client or customer are backing the same candidate?
Do you make your political affiliation known on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, and comment about things like the presidential debates and the campaigns? Have you gotten any flack from people who following you and disagree?
What about LinkedIn, the social networking site that’s strictly for business? If somebody asks a question on LinkedIn about something pertaining to politics, do you make your political views know without fear of alientating your connections? I’ve seen a few political questions that have led to political debates that have no businesses on a site like this one.

Keep this story idea in mind for when you’re creating your publicity plan or media plan in the years ahead, even when you have hot local or statewide contests.

Shawne is one of my favorite Publicity Hounds. We teamed up and brainstormed more than 200 story ideas you can pitch to print and broadcast media when we presented teleseminars on 116 WOW Story Ideas from January through June and 103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July through December.

Posted In: Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Newspaper Publicity, Nonprofits, Pitching the Media, Social networking, TV Publicity, Twitter
posted On: 10/2/2008: 11:39 am: By Joan
Comments:

5 Responses

iThinkMedia Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am

I follow my own advice, I do not talk politics or religion in the workplace, at my friends house, or online. Although if this is your business and you’re known for your opinions, i.e., a radio host or blogger, share until your hearts content.

Remember, discussing such personal issues will more than likely offend someone. Is it worth the hurt feelings or confrontation? Not for me.

Lisa Braithwaite Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm

I don’t bring up politics with my clients. If a client mentions it first and asks my opinion, I might briefly share, but I don’t go into depth with my clients about personal or political stuff.

If we’re on the same page, I’m more likely to talk a little politics, but even still, there’s just not a lot of time in a business relationship to spend on these kinds of topics.

I’m very outspoken in “real life,” but on social networking sites I prefer to stay mostly neutral and keep that stuff private. I think that people can probably figure out my affiliations without my being obvious about it or getting into arguments.

Gail Sideman Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm

This is an interesting topic of conversation, Joan. As a sole proprietor I try to stay away from discussing politics with clients and within social media. After all, some of my best friends are Democrats — or Republicans — or Libertarians, etc!

I did break that rule earlier this week via social media when after talking to people from both sides of the traditional political isle, I realized that we agreed on a particular issue and vented in 140 characters or fewer via Twitter. I don’t believe that such rants are in my business’ best interest, so I won’t do it again. Everybody has their right to believe and support any candidate and it’s not our job as professionals to spew our thoughts. To me, it’s akin to someone who speaks of their religion as the one-and-only and tries to convert in the workplace.

One thing I do have a problem with is campaign sign posting in front of privately-owned buildings that house several businesses owned by others. If I was an employee in one of those small business buildings, I might very well be offended if my political leanings were in contrast to the signs posted by the landlord in front of the property. I believe posting those signs are extremely unprofessional — and makes the property look littered. I would be interested to know that if someone from one of the businesses located in one of the buildings wanted to post a sign from an opposing party, would the building owner would “allow” it?

Nina Kuriloff Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm

I have made my politics known on Twitter, but in a limited way.

In the office, there are conservatives and liberals. Liberals such as myself, discuss politics together,when conservatives aren’t present.

Jean Palmer Heck Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

As always, more good insights, Joan. The Indianapolis Star just published an article on the same topic–voicing political opinions at work. Good publicity for some enterprising “hound.”

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