First, a rant: I don't care if Story Inn or Hoosier Inn or BedMeDown Inn makes a profit on a wine event. What I care about is that consumers are exposed to a variety of wines in an atmosphere of education, fun, and responsible monitoring of consumption. What we all care about in this business is that it KEEPS GROWING. Or, that's what we should care about.
Blogging is a serious communication form for us "citizen bloggers", as OWC calls us. It's also one of the most important pathways to the new marketing paradigm that's lumped in with the ubiquitous moniker Social Media. So when I get a snarky comment, I feel like I'm entitled to hit the delete button on the "moderate" (aka approve or disapprove its publication) blogspot tab.
Last week, for the first time, I disapproved my first snarky comment. It was what I considered parochial, mean-spirited, and not in the best interest of the growth of the wine industry.
The comment was made about the upcoming Indiana Wine Fair, to be held in two weeks at Story Inn. Something about how it was misleading to call it an all-Indiana wine event. Something about how the owner of the Story Inn might make some profit from this event. Something that was ... fitting for a cat fight in a high school girls' bathroom. That kind of snarky comment.
Oh, I've been called a PollyAnna more than once. I despise territoriality and corporate politics; that's why I left Corporate America early-on. I adore people who have passion, are willing to work hard on a project, aren't afraid to get down on the farm and put dirt under their nails, and who take the risk of promoting a cause that may or may not pay off.
That's what the organizers of the Wine Fair at the Story Inn have done: all of those things above that I adore. And if they make a profit some day, well, that's the American Way.
Any other questions or comments?
If they are constructive and bring something to the party and are in the best interest of growing this industry, they get posted. If they are snarky, then ... not.
Hmmmm, I think this is referred to as a "publication policy". Gosh, that is so old-media. So be it.
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I received the same comment when I wrote about the Fair and linked your article. I left it up because I just thought it silly. I mean, who knew the wine industry in Indiana was a business? And that others might want to make a profit too?
ReplyDeleteI assume you plan on attending?
Hey, does this "snark" mean that somebody out there dosn't love us in Story?
ReplyDeleteWell, Charles, I'll have to see you in Indiana in midsummer as I'm in the middle of a group of interviews/write-ups for "It's Grape", a newspaper column that is launching May 1 in the Tahoe Weekly. BUT better than my attending, I'm sending my millennial niece Margaret who doubles as my hands-on social media expert. I'm sure she'll haul along a bunch of friends -- now, THAT's the market to build!
ReplyDeleteI read the same comment regarding the Story Wine Fair, but my take was the writer was irked because they were advertising (quote from their website) "Nearly every indiana winery" is going to be there, while many less then "nearly every" winery will be there according to other sources. That is a very misleading statement.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of 2009, there were 30 wineries in Indiana, plus-or-minus a few. Last year's Festival had 21 wineries pour. I think that 2 out of 3 ain't bad, as the song goes, and I myself might even call it "nearly every". The point is, let's get folks out there tasting Indiana wines! Or at least, let's get nearly everybody to taste wines: that's the greater good of such events. Grow the industry, keeping in mind responsible drinking, and thousands of years of culture too.
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