Jcpsc blogging 201

Jewish Blogging 201 Esther D. Kustanowitz June 3, 2010

Today’s Topics
Blog theory review
Putting theory into practice
Content & structure
Logistics & strategy
Finding inspiration
How to promote blogs cross-platform (via social media)
Helpful hints: pitching bloggers
Answer your questions about blogging for your orgs

Homework from last time…
עשה לך רב , קנה לך חבר
Visit JRants.com, Jewishblogging.com, blogrolls
What did you learn? Any questions?

Blog Basics
Short for “weblog”
Central text by author/s, some editorial process
Reader commentary
Memorable name promotes organizational brand

Content & Structure Questions
Thought about:
What kind of discussions do we want to host?
How long should each post be?
What does the blog look like? (ads, photos, video, blogroll, archives, tag cloud, comments, “most popular posts” etc)
What goals do you have for your posts?
What other elements should be represented (video, photos, guest posts, comments) and how frequently?
Always thinking about:
Community cultivation
Relationship management
Involvement in conversations
Ego (for community-building, good-doing )

Content & Structure Suggestions
Name the blog - relevant, brand-consistent URL
~ 400 words (one screen length) max; varied lengths
Grammar, punctuation, style
Post regularly
Use photos, videos, images
Hyperlink to other sites
One voice or many, always reflect org’l values

Visualizing Blogs
HuffPo – blog as a niche magazine
Congregational - community built around a central belief, even w/different opinions
Rabbinical – blog as a pulpit/sermon by thought leader, w/ opportunity for talkback
Theistic/Dictatorial - content subject to creation/ deletion at whim of blog creator [least preferable]

You Are Ready to Blog!
Learn the tool – easy, but takes some time
Commit to “regular” posting – demands planning, flexibility/spontaneity, time
Determine organizational voice
Create posting schedule/content plan
Calculated risks  big returns

Logistics & Strategy: Stage 1 (macro)
Reading blogs, seeing what’s out there
Provide regular content (staff time)
Comments should be open, but can be moderated (staff time)
Reflect org’s goals, but also add value
What are competing blogs/orgs blogging about? What can you add to the conversation?
Wide lens on life – from celebrities to environment (think in keywords)

Logistics & Strategy: Stage 2 (micro)
What will you call it?
Who’s posting?
How often?
Is there a schedule/editorial calendar?
What kind of review/moderation/approval process?
What time commitment are you willing to make?
Who’s your ideal audience?
What’s your ideal outcome?

Logistics & Strategy: Resources
Darren Rowse - http://Problogger.net
Chris Brogan - http:// www.chrisbrogan.com /best-of/
Clay Shirky - http:// www.shirky.com/weblog /
TED talks (http://ted.com)
http:// twitterfeed.com / - import blog to Twitter
http://facebook.com – import blog to FB

Statistics and Visitor Tracking
Google Analytics
Sitemeter
Statcounter
Haveamint.com *
GetClicky.com *
*=recommended by my social media experts

Inspiration
The heart of the work – getting inspired for content
Where do you find inspiration?
When are you most creative?
Brainstorm – accept your ideas, then edit later
Play to your creative / organizational strengths
Visit TED.com or other podcast sites – see what inspires you

Finding Inspiration in Text/Tradition

Sources of Inspiration
Weekly Torah portion – look at a paragraph, or embed a video via http://g-dcast.com
Current events – photos/video
Google Alerts – past and present issues
Local and national Jewish papers
Other blogs (links always welcome)

Once You Are Blogging….
Comment and pitch even more
Give them enough/not too much information
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2010/05/28/how-to-pitch-bloggers-make-it-a-winwinwin-situation/
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2010/06/01/turn-annoying-pitches-into-opportunities/#comments
“ bloggers, they are us”

Not Ready to Blog? Comment and Pitch, Instead
Participate in the conversation on other people’s blogs
Leave links to your online stuff
Make meaningful contributions to discussions
Offline, pitch the bloggers on your awesome stuff (after reading their blogs)…

Pitching the Bloggers
Be respectful, sincere, and personal
Show: how does your project add value? (info, education, opinions, humor, commentary)
Pitch appropriately, make your case
Don’t count the non-Jews out, especially during holiday season (WSJ; culture: Mediaite; local: LAist/SFist/Gothamist; HuffPo, environment: MNN, et al)

How to Find Me
[email_address]
http://twitter.com/estherk
http://facebook.com/estherkustanowitz
http://myurbankvetch.com
http://jdatersanonymous.com
http://beliefnet.com/blog/idolchatter
http://roicommunity.org

Jcpsc blogging 201

by Esther Kustanowitz on Jun 03, 2010

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