BLOGGING

BLOGGERS OR CITIZEN JOURNALISTS?

The word “citizen” is

A blogger need not be a
still insufficient to
professional journalist
convey the scope of
to write and publish
liberation that blogging
about the news.
has bestowed upon us.
 EVOLUTION OF
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Word Processors
Before the advent of the Internet, word
processors marked a significant shift in
electronic writing by making editing and
formatting simpler and more efficient.
Email
Originating in the 1980s, email transformed
communication by allowing quick
dissemination of content, although its reach
was generally confined to a pre-established
network of contacts.
INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERNET

Websites and Online Publications:

The Internet's 1990s debut allowed global
publishing of digital writing, sparking an influx
of online content and blogs.

Forums and Newsgroups:

Online forums and newsgroups fostered
immediate, informal community
discussions distinct from formal online
articles.
 BIRTH OF BLOGGING
Originally known as weblogs, blogs have evolved from being
online diaries to platforms hosting diverse content like journalism,
reviews, and expert commentaries.

The advent of RSS feeds simplified subscription to blogs,

enhancing audience engagement and streamlining the
distribution of diverse written content.
IMPLICATION FOR MASS COMMUNICATIONS

Decentralization:
The rise of blogging led to a decentralization of media authority. Anyone with an
internet connection could potentially reach a global audience, challenging the
traditional gatekeepers of information.

Interactivity:
Blogs often have comment sections where readers can engage with the author
and each other. This has shifted mass communication from a one-to-many model
to a many-to-many model, emphasizing dialogue and community building.
 IMPLICATIONS FOR MASS
COMMUNICATION
Speed and Real-Time Updates
Blogs can be updated almost
instantaneously, allowing for real-
time reporting and commentary. This
has had a significant impact on news
cycles and how information is
disseminated.
Niche Communities
Blogs enable writers to focus on
highly specialized topics, fostering
niche communities that might be
underserved by mainstream media.
Credibility and Authority
The participatory nature of blogging
raises questions about credibility and
authority. While this offers a broader
range of perspectives, it also
complicates the landscape in terms
of sourcing and verification.
TYPES OF BLOGS

PERSONAL BUSINESS EDUCATIONAL NICHE BLOGS NEWS BLOGS

BLOGS BLOGS BLOGS
Personal Blogs

Narrative Focus: Personal blogs often have a strong storytelling component, relying on
narrative techniques to engage readers.

Author-Centric: The blogger's personality is central to the content. Topics, style, and
tone are deeply influenced by the author's perspectives and experiences.

Engagement: These blogs often nurture a community through reader comments, social
media shares, and a regular posting schedule.

Monetization: Some become profitable through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or

merchandise, though that's not usually the primary goal.
Personal Blogs

Importance to mass communication:

Voice to the Marginalized: Challenges Traditional

Gives individuals a Gatekeeping: Anyone with
platform to share an internet connection can
experiences that might be start a blog, democratizing
underrepresented in who gets to share
mainstream media. information or tell stories.
 Business Blogs
Informative Content: Often include how-tos, industry insights, case studies, and
trend analyses.

Branding: The blog represents the brand, following a consistent style and tone in
line with the company's image.

SEO Driven: Content is optimized for search engines to increase the blog's
visibility and drive traffic.

Lead Generation: Aims to convert readers into potential customers through

strong calls to action and value-added content.
Business blogs

Importance to mass communication:

Educational Role: Business

Content Marketing:
blogs often serve an
Demonstrates how content
educational purpose,
can be leveraged to add
underlining how corporate
value, build trust, and drive
communication has
business goals.
broadened its scope.
Example of Business Blog:
Educational Blogs

Curriculum-Oriented: Often organized like a course or textbook, with topics

broken down into lessons or chapters.

Authority and Credibility: Run by subject matter experts or educational

institutions.

Interactive Elements: May include quizzes, assignments, and forums to engage

readers.

Resource Aggregation: Often include lists of additional resources for further

learning.
Educational Blogs
Importance to mass communication:

Resource Democratization:
Supplemental Learning:
Makes high-quality
Supports or even replaces
educational content
traditional educational
accessible to anyone with
formats.
an internet connection.
Example of Educational
Blog
EdSurge
Significance: Provides comprehensive
insights into the intersection of
technology, education, and the future
of learning.

https://www.edsurge.com/
 • Timeliness: Content is
regularly updated to reflect
current events.
News • Fact-Driven: Prioritize
accuracy and verifiability.
Blogs • Multi-Media: Often include
videos, infographics, and
podcasts to enrich content.
• Editorial Sections: May
include opinion pieces
alongside news reports.
News Blogs

Importance to mass communication:

Instantaneity: Demonstrates the power of real-time reporting in
shaping public opinion.

Diversity of Voices: Allows for a broader range of perspectives

than traditional news outlets.
Example of New
Blogs

TechCrunch
Significance: A leading
voice in the tech industry,
providing breaking news
and in-depth analysis.

https://techcrunch.com/
 Niche Blogs

Focused Content: The content is highly specialized, often aimed at a specific group of readers who
have a strong interest in the niche area.

Expertise: Niche blogs are often run by subject matter experts or enthusiasts who have a deep
understanding of the topic.

Community Building: These blogs can foster a strong community of like-minded individuals who share
the same interests or challenges.

Monetization: Niche blogs may have a more focused but dedicated audience, making them attractive
for targeted advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing related to the specific niche.

SEO Advantage: The specialized content often helps niche blogs to rank highly in search engine
queries related to their subject matter.
Niche Blogs

Spoon Fork Bacon: A blog

specialized in unique recipes,
focused particularly on gourmet
comfort food.
The Points Guy: Focuses on
frequent flyer points, travel
deals, and financial advice
related to traveling.
Zen Habits: Concentrates on
minimalism, productivity, and
self-improvement.
 Getting started
• Choose a niche: Decide on
the main theme or topic of
your blog.

• Domain name: Select a

unique and relevant web
address for your blog.

• Hosting: Find a hosting

service to make your blog
accessible online
TOP FREE BLOGGING SITES
• Wordpress
• Blogger
• Medium
• Wix.com
Features:

• User-Friendly: WordPress.com offers a simple, drag-

and-drop interface that makes it easy for users,
including those without technical skills, to start a blog.
• Themes and Customization: Offers a wide array of free
themes and customization options, allowing users to
create a blog that matches their aesthetic and
functional needs.
• Community and Support: WordPress has a large
community of users, which means extensive forums,
tutorials, and third-party tools are available.
• Custom domain: You do not need a custom domain;
you could just publish. However, your weblink will have
WordPress in it.
Features
• Google Integration: Being a Google product,
Blogger offers seamless integration with
Google's suite of tools like Google Drive,
Google Analytics, and AdSense.
• Ease of Use: Its straightforward interface
allows users to start blogging with minimal
setup.
• Early Adoption: One of the earliest blogging
platforms, Blogger played a significant role in
popularizing the blogging format.
• User Engagement: Features like built-in
commenting enable bloggers to create a two-
way communication channel with their
audience.
Features:
• Focus on Content: Medium emphasizes content
and readability, offering a clutter-free writing and
reading experience.
• Built-In Audience: Unlike other platforms where
you must build an audience from scratch,
Medium comes with a built-in audience, which
can be advantageous for new writers.
• Monetization: Medium’s Partner Program allows
writers to earn money based on how many
people read and engage with their stories.
• Quality over Quantity: Medium’s algorithm and
curation team promote high-quality content,
which encourages more in-depth, thoughtful
writing.
• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Wix provides a highly intuitive drag-
and-drop editor that allows for extensive customization
without the need for coding.
• Design Flexibility: With hundreds of templates,
customizable layouts, and a variety of multimedia
elements, Wix offers unparalleled design freedom.
• App Market: Wix has an extensive app market where you
can add features like forms, galleries, social media feeds,
and e-commerce capabilities to your blog.
• SEO Tools: Wix offers built-in SEO tools that guide you
through the process of optimizing your blog for search
engines.
• E-commerce Capability: With integrated e-commerce
options, Wix represents the merger of content and
commerce, further expanding the definition of what
blogging platforms can do. This has mass communication
implications in terms of advertising, consumer behavior,
and the economics of content creation.
 How To Write an attractive
blog
•Craft Catchy Introductions: Grab readers’ attention from the start.

•Use Subheadings: Organize content and improve readability.

•Break Up Text: Short paragraphs and bullet points make reading easier.

•Layout and Design: Choose a clean and user-friendly layout.

•Typography: Opt for legible fonts that match your blog’s style.

•Color Palette: Consistent colors creates a visually appealing blog.

https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/34143/12-inspiring-examples-of-beautiful-
blog-homepage-designs.aspx
Incorporating Images & texts

Use Use High-Quality Images: Visuals should be clear and relevant.

Include Alt Text: Include descriptive text for better accessibility and SEO.

Image Image Placement: Integrate images within your text to break up content.

Embed Embed Relevant Videos: Enhance content with informative videos.

Video Video Length: Keep videos concise to maintain reader engagement.

READER INTERACTION STRATEGIES

Comments Section: Actively Social Media: Use platforms like

engage with readers in the Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
comments section. This creates a to interact with your audience
community and makes readers and share snippets, updates, or
more likely to return. behind-the-scenes looks.

Email Newsletter: A weekly or

Polls and Surveys: These can not
monthly newsletter can serve as
only engage your audience but
a direct line to your audience,
also provide valuable feedback or
offering exclusive content or early
data.
access to new posts.
ADD SOME WIDGETS
Enhanced User Experience:
• Ease of Navigation: Search bars for quick
access.
• Visual Appeal: Image galleries, videos.

Increased Engagement:
• Interactive Elements: Polls, quizzes,
comments.
• Social Sharing: Easily share content to social
media.
ADD SOME WIDGETS
Content Discovery:
• Cross-Promotion: 'Related Posts' for more views.
• Timely Content: Showcase new or seasonal
posts.

Monetization, Data, & Community

• Ads & Affiliate Marketing: Revenue streams.
• Data Collection: Analytics, email capture.
• Community Building: Social proof, user-
generated content.
HOW CAN YOU
PROMOTE YOUR
BLOG
• Social Media Sharing: Share your
posts on platforms like Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram.
• Search engine optimization:
Optimize your blog for search
engines using keywords.
• Collaborations: Partner with
other bloggers for cross-
promotion.
• You can learn more about SEO in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYE6T_gd7H0
LET’S WRITE EXTRA CREDIT 5 POINTS
• Write a blog about a classmate on WordPress.com. Ask them about themselves.
• You can write about anything—what they like or dislike, the movies they
watch, or anything else that is acceptable to them. BE RESPECTFUL!
• Produce a creative title, two subtitles, and one image. The picture could be of
them or something they like.
• Also include a widget, which could be a link to anything, such as their
Facebook page or a music video they enjoy.
• Publish the blog post."

• https://wordpress.com/create-blog/
Start a blog
Start writing
Add a title and a subtitle

To add a second subtitle just

press enter, or you can click on
the “+” button and add a new
paragraph
Add an Image

Click on “+”, and click on Image, and upload a new image.

Add a widget

Click on Social Icons

Add a widget

Click on plus to add, and add a widget.

Insert link
Publish and share the link