You know you're a successful blogger when...

You know you're a successful blogger when...Microsoft writes asking for your help! I received an email (reprinted below) asking me to promote their new socially conscious initiative. Basically if you use their version of Instant Messenger with a special code, a donation will be made to a charity each time you use it. This kind of instant, feel good activism, associated with using a commercial product is really the lowest rung on the ladder of social consciousness (if it's on the ladder at all). At best it's money the company has already allocated to charity that they are using for marketing purposes; at worst it allows consumers to feel like they're off the hook, since they've already "done their part." Believe me, we can't chat ourselves into a better world courtesy of a corporation. If Microsoft wants my opinion (which clearly they do since I'm SO influential) they should just give the money to the charities and then engage customers in real social action that doesn't involve marketing their products. But of course that's not why they're in business, and that's the point: Don't use social action as a marketing tool! And while I appreciate the sentiment of the letter (and the flattery certainly helps), why don't I feel like I can trust them? So Microsft, here's the question for you, is any publicity still good publicity?

Dear Noah,

People like you are among the most influential voices in our culture, reaching millions of people who share your commitment to important social causes. Because of your unique ability to reach this socially conscious audience, we’d like to tell you about a new initiative just introduced by Microsoft and some of the world’s most effective organizations dedicated to social causes.

It’s called the i’m Initiative, and it’s a collaboration between Windows Live™ Messenger and nine organizations dedicated to some of the worlds most urgent social issues. Every time users start a conversation using Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft shares a portion of the program’s advertising revenue with one of these cause organizations.

Each organization is guaranteed a minimum of $100,000, but there’s no limit to the size of the total donation they can get. The more i’m conversations you start, the more money goes to the causes. The sky’s the limit.

Visit http://im.live.com and check out the “Get Involved” section, you’ll find all kinds of ways you can be a part of this exciting movement – messaging points, website modules/buttons and more.

Please help us spread the word and encourage others to join the program. Together, we can show the world that small talk can make a big difference.

Thanks for your interest and support.

For more information and specific questions please contact Karin Muskopf at makeadifference@live.com