Blogs. I guess there's a point to them after all...

My 5 Favorite Points From The Chapter : Blogs: Tapping Millions of Evangelists to Tell Your Story

1. Sure, many blog posts just sit there with little feedback, few comments, and no results. But I learn from these “Failures,” too; when my audience doesn’t get excited about something, it’s probably either a dumb idea or poorly explained.
   • I like how he explains this point that if no one is commenting, it doesn't neccessarily mean no on is reading. It might just mean the blog wasn't explained well or no one had much interest in the idea. To capture an audience, you have to have content that will capture their attention.

2.     Bloggers aren’t Journalists. But bloggers never claimed to be journalists: unfortunately, many people continue to think of the Web as a sprawling online newspaper, and this mentality justifies their need to (negatively) compare blogging to what journalists and PR people do.

 o   Ironically, I am a journalism major, so when I read this part of the chapter, I couldn't help but laugh because this debate has come up in many class discussions. I love that Scott presents this seemingly OBVIOUS fact that so many people seem to confuse.

o   Being a journalism major, although it is against my professional code of ethics,  I am almost excited to begin blogging because it finally allows me to have a voice in my writing. Writing in AP style and without an opinion when I am one of the most opinionated people you will ever meet... is growing old. Fast. So I am excited to finally write in my own voice and voice my own opinions.

• Consider it from the Web-as-a-city perspective: The woman next to you at the bar may not be a journalist, but she sure knows something, and you can choose to believe her or not.

o    Great explanation. This is exactly how I would compare them. 

o   Some of the more popular blogs have readerships that are larger than that of the daily newspaper of a major city

o   Not one of my favorite parts of the chapter, but I found this astonishing to read. In a world where newspaper cirrculation is rapidly declining... maybe journalists could take a lesson or two from bloggers.

3.     The Four Uses of Blogs for Marketing and PR

o   To easily monitor what millions of people are saying about you, the market you sell into, your organization, and its products

o   To participate in those conversations by commenting on other people’s blogs

o   To work with bloggers who write about your industry, company, or products.

o   To begin to shape those conversations by creating and writing your own blog.

o   My old supervisor used to say that social media is 60% conversation and participation and 40% receiving. People will comment on your blogs, but only if you begin the conversation and comment on theirs. Bloggers are very open and love blogging and linking to things they like and sharing it with their network. Blogging is a great way to communicate with the public; through your own blog, but also through prominent bloggers. It’s up to you to start the conversation.

4.     You can’t just make decisions on what you think your products do; you need to make decisions on the perceptions of what people are actually doing with your productions.

o   People can get involved because it is two-way instead of just one direction. You can grow when there is a dialogue

o   The Internet allows people to communicate with people they never could without it. We can give our opinions and have companies actually take our ideas into consideration.

5.     Don’t be afraid of change. Don’t be afraid to hear things that are uncomfortable, because only by hearing things will you be able to adjust and grow. In this rapidly changing world, you need to listen; otherwise you won’t be able to survive.

o   I think this is such a wise statement. We all need to open our ears and our minds and listen.  I’ll admit I am sometimes afraid to hear things that are uncomfortable, but it is the things we are afraid and overcoming those fears that help us grow.

“You are what you publish. It is better to have a reputation than no reputation.” - Amen.

I get it now...