E-Media Tidbits

Rhodes Univ. Vincent J. Maher, lecturer in new media studies, Rhodes Univ., S. Africa.

More and more journalists (pro and amateur) are catching on to ways that blogging can enhance their work. However, blogging still isn't something you learn in J-school -- or, generally, in a newsroom.

One of our Tidbits contributors, Vince Maher, just published an excellent bit of advice for new bloggers. See: 11 tips for managing a good blog entry

Here's the short version:

   
1. A blog entry is a stub for conversation.   
2. Think about the perspectives of your audience.   
3. Write tight headlines that encourage interest.   
4. Make points or lists and make them scan-friendly.   
5. Link to the context.   
6. Quote indirectly and link.   
7. Format long documents for print.   
8. Never delete anything.   
9. Troll the blogosphere for secondary conversation.   
10. Be active in your own conversations.   
11. Create buzz everywhere.

Great advice, Vince. Also, most of these tips apply to most participation in conversational media, such as forums.

I'll add this tip: If you do blog, plan your content for other media (print, broadcast) to complement your blogging and encourage cross-traffic.