Within an organization, how do you decide who should blog?

I bookmarked this post, "Social Media Policy Examples" by Barry Hurd some time ago. You might find it to be helpful.

Here's a new piece about businesses using social media. Looks like it would be helpful to you, and it includes a link to the Wall Street Journal's Conduct Rules for this kind of thing.

It sounds like you've decided you want to blog but have not decided why. What do you want/expect your blogs to do for your business? Who is you audience? Why would they take time out of their busy day reading other people's blogs to read yours?

Once you determine the answers to those questions I think you will find the answers to your questions easier to answer.

Good luck,

Susan

"Also, how do we determine an appropriate audience for a blog?"

Echoing Susan's words, you need to figure out the purpose of your blog. Are you trying to generate leads, make connections, or simply market your brand? Once you've decided the general purpose of your blog you can then determine the kind of audience your content will cater to.

I don't know about any specific legal precedent nor am I an attorney but it seems to me that attempts to restrict employees from blogging done on their own time would infringe upon their first amendment rights.

Not being a legal scholar I would think maybe your best bet to regulate blogging both internally and externally would be best handled by adding language specific to blogging and/or internet communications to any of your employee non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements and in any of your non-compete agreement.

Just came upon this discussion about businesses and social media, and employees. Good stuff here. (RT @HowToMakeMyBlog)

"Lawyers, Guns, and Twitter - Who Owns Your Twitter Account" - http://twurl.nl/mbenjm