Internal blogs are all the rage, but to use them effectively you’ll need guidelines.  Your guidelines should be designed to prevent chatter but to encourage frequent use.

In order to define the thin line between the two, effective internal blogging guidelines should be drafted. 

• Use a team made up of members of several diverse departments.
• Make the guidelines very short and clear (no legalese).

If someone violates the guidelines, a private email or call will go much further towards encouraging further usage.  Public humiliation is never a way to encourage your team in a new endeavor.

Know what you want out of your internal blog and be sure to draft guidelines that will take you in the direction that you want to go.