and then there are “public companies”. It has been two weeks since Six Apart asked how people use Movable Type, and on Friday it will be two weeks since Mena Trott posted a short “it’s quiet, we’re working” blog entry in Mena’s Corner. It’s amazing that they persist in communicating so little with their customers.
This has had two effects. First, by not communicating effectively about their product, they force a kind of Kremlinology-lite among interested customers. Second, Six Apart has noticed this (not hard) but they see scared to death of it while resenting it at the same time. (See, there’s some Kremlinology right there!) I give them all the slack in the world on this whole issue, and this post is intended to be nothing but constructive. But almost two weeks of no public communication in the midst of a product launch? When their customers have very clearly let them know that they need more? It boggles the mind!
Marketing is not an add-on. A PR strategy is not a nice-to-have. Communication is not optional, it is not a second thought. This stuff is MORE important than development on the eve of (or during) a major product launch. There should be a steady flow of information – official, unofficial, anecdotal, simple reactions (“oh we never knew THAT, how fun!”), developing thoughts, etc. I really hope they get this together.
