Journalism Next: Chapter 2: Blogging Cindy Royal, Ph.D Assistant Professor Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication tech.cindyroyal.net twitter.com/cindyroyal facebook.com/cindyroyal

Blogging Every college journalist (really every student) should have a blog. Period. Reasons to blog 1)Learn how to use a content management system 2)Build an audience for your writing/reporting 3)Cultivate a collaborative community

Blogging A blog is a continuing conversation But they are not magic, take commitment, dedication and determination Three characteristics: Frequently updated, presented in reverse, chronological order Has headline and body; can include links, photos, other media Allows for comments

Blogging No longer need to know html/web design to have a website. The terrorist attacks of 2001 were the cause of the launch of many tribute blogs Blogs launched on news websites, way to present more content, different voice Simple, immediate and interactive

Becoming a blogger Read other blogs – scan Technorati.com & check out blogs on news sites Look up blogs on a subject that interests you, particularly one you hope to cover Make note of the most interesting, best elements of each

Learn the language Post Permalink Trackback Blogroll

Create a blog Determine what your blog will be about Establish goals Create a basic plan – name, description, mission Choose a blog system – Wordpress There are others: Blogger, Tumblr, Posterous Wordpress – free to host on their server, add a theme, you can pay for domain, access to customize CSS Book has lots of suggestions on how to customize

Create an audience Put the reader first, get to the point Organize your ideas Be direct Be the authority, with a personality Write clearly, edit. Make posts scanable – lists, bold text, subheads Link, summarize, analyze Write good headlines Have a good attitude Photos and videos Participate in the community – read other blogs, comment, link to them Be passionate about your topic

Matt Thompson, NPR “The stream is ultimately more important than the story. You build the most significant value not with a single post, but with a stream of material that turns passersby into followers, hooking them back again and again.”