Using the viral nature of the web to increase your influence Blogging for Journalists

What is a blog? Web pages used to be static; blogging software revolutionized the web. A blog is chronological, easy to update, and automatically archived. Most blog platforms provide for tagging, keywords, and other categorizing functions. Bloggers can be pundits, reporters opinion writers or activists. Blogs provide direct links to sources and references. What is your favorite blog?

Web pages used to be static; blogging software revolutionized the web.

A blog is chronological, easy to update, and automatically archived.

Most blog platforms provide for tagging, keywords, and other categorizing functions.

Bloggers can be pundits, reporters opinion writers or activists.

Blogs provide direct links to sources and references.

What is your favorite blog?

Choosing a Blogging Platform Cost: Cost shouldn't be a huge issue while considering a blog platform. Some great fee based platforms such are TypePad or MoveableType . Blogger and WordPress are free! Expertise: What do you know about blogging and blog design? Blogger's drag and drop templates are best for beginners. You can also find cool free templates through Google.com The WYSIWYG templates employed by the free platforms make blogging a breeze for the technically challenged. WordPress gives advanced users more control. http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/choosing-a-blog-platform/

Cost: Cost shouldn't be a huge issue while considering a blog platform.

Some great fee based platforms such are TypePad or MoveableType .

Blogger and WordPress are free!

Expertise: What do you know about blogging and blog design?

Blogger's drag and drop templates are best for beginners. You can also find cool free templates through Google.com

The WYSIWYG templates employed by the free platforms make blogging a breeze for the technically challenged.

WordPress gives advanced users more control.

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/choosing-a-blog-platform/

Create a blog in 3 easy steps: 2 minute video with instructions on how to start a Blogger.com blog.

2 minute video with instructions on how to start a Blogger.com blog.

Why should a journalist care? Are you prepared to adapt? New-Media is forcing an evolution on traditional print media Generally speaking, three important constituencies read blogs: influencers, other journalists and politicians.

Are you prepared to adapt? New-Media is forcing an evolution on traditional print media

Generally speaking, three important constituencies read blogs: influencers, other journalists and politicians.

How can blogging help you? Blogging allows you to cover stories left on the cutting floor. Blogging is a great way to connect & interact with your readership. Blogging is a good way to explore topic ideas or stories. Blogging is a good way for a local paper reporter to gain national readership.

Blogging allows you to cover stories left on the cutting floor.

Blogging is a great way to connect & interact with your readership.

Blogging is a good way to explore topic ideas or stories.

Blogging is a good way for a local paper reporter to gain national readership.

How can blogging help you? Improve your writing & debating skills. Give yourself credibility & authority on an important issue or topic. Get TV & Radio interview opportunities – a chance to be influential. Land your next great job (watch out…this can go both ways). Attract the attention of a book publisher?

Improve your writing & debating skills.

Give yourself credibility & authority on an important issue or topic.

Get TV & Radio interview opportunities – a chance to be influential.

Land your next great job (watch out…this can go both ways).

Attract the attention of a book publisher?

Making your blog a success… Write purposeful and consistent content. Try to keep your writing focused. Keyword concentration. Publish with consistency. Readers come to expect it. Get your facts right…or your readers will. Trackbacks and links gives your readers a participator role in your work.

Write purposeful and consistent content.

Try to keep your writing focused.

Keyword concentration.

Publish with consistency.

Readers come to expect it.

Get your facts right…or your readers will.

Trackbacks and links gives your readers a participator role in your work.

Finding your voice: What issue matters most to you? Three things matter a lot to me… The Latino culture and assimilation Education The value of self-responsibility

What issue matters most to you?

Three things matter a lot to me…

The Latino culture and assimilation

Education

The value of self-responsibility

Increase your Word Power… Create New Worlds Creatively use the whole quiver of communications arrows that God has placed at our disposal and dispersal. YouTube Flickr Blogging Podcasting

Create New Worlds

Creatively use the whole quiver of communications arrows that God has placed at our disposal and dispersal.

YouTube

Flickr

Blogging

Podcasting

Blogging and the web is another way to tell stories and connect them to the Greatest story… His Story .

Books you need to get! BLOG : Understanding the Information Reformation that’s Changing Your World By Hugh Hewitt In, But Not Of : A Guide to Christian Ambition by Hugh Hewitt An Army of Davids : How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths by Glenn Reynolds

BLOG : Understanding the Information Reformation that’s Changing Your World By Hugh Hewitt

In, But Not Of : A Guide to Christian Ambition by Hugh Hewitt

An Army of Davids : How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths by Glenn Reynolds

Resources: www.josuesierra.net Post questions, leave comments. Email me at [email_address] http://weblogs.about.com/od/bloggingtips/ How to start a blogger blog (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo http://Help.blogger.com Blogging and Christian Worldview: http://www.josuesierra.net/?p=209

www.josuesierra.net Post questions, leave comments. Email me at [email_address]

http://weblogs.about.com/od/bloggingtips/

How to start a blogger blog (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo

http://Help.blogger.com

Blogging and Christian Worldview: http://www.josuesierra.net/?p=209