From Personal Blogging to
Social Activism
Michael Turton
NCKU
Apr 23, 2008

Why me? Why am I speaking to
you?
• Taiwan’s most widely read English political
blogger, with lots of “quality readers” and
one of its most popular bloggers. Also
owner of popular website
• Longtime resident of the island (since 1989),
married to a local, raising kids here, PHD
student at NCKU, instructor at CYUT

• Blogging is about building community

• Personal goals
-- change the way Taiwan is discussed in the
world media
-- raise Taiwan’s profile in the world
-- foster a Taiwan blog community

How to do all this?

1. Build Links
-- link to others
-- comment on other blogs
-- do daily link posts/reviews
-- promote the good work of other people
-- promote related events and activities
-- be useful

Links to blogs with more
interesting or important
content Personal
blogs

Pretty picture!
Daily Links Page
Links to
other posts
I like
Upcoming events
in Taiwan and in
the blog and expat
communities
Media stuff

2. Content: blogging is content-driven
-- know what you are talking about (you
only have one serious selling point:
credibility and authenticity)
-- new content up every day
-- stick with a predictable theme or focus
-- keep yourself out
-- plenty of visuals

2. Content: blogging is content-driven
-- narrow the focus
-- know your audience
-- know who you want to influence