Seth Godin is considered by many to be a founder of the Web 2.0 era. The ideas he presents in his books about permission marketing and the ideavirus helped usher in a new era of doing business on the web.
One thing about Seth's online presence confuses me, though - he has chosen not to enable comments on his blog.
He has trackbacks enabled and lists some top social bookmarking sites like Digg and De.li.ci.ous, and you can comment through them. Yet, you can't comment on his blog proper.
Why is it that this icon of the Web 2.0 era has chosen to disable one of the keystones of a 2.0 site, the comment feature?
Maybe he doesn't want to debate his points. Maybe he doesn't want any spam comments. If so, he could set comments to moderate. Maybe he doesn't have the time to moderate. Whatever the reason, he has stripped his blog of some of its greatest potential, the potential to create an environment of discourse.
Lucky for Seth that he has such authority that he doesn't have to worry about comments on his blog, but the rest of us aren't so lucky. In this case, don't follow Seth's lead. Make sure to enable your comments; they create an atmosphere of discourse so essential to this Web 2.0 era.
And, Seth, if you happen to read this post, I'd love it if you shared your reason for not enabling comments on your blog.
Showing posts with label blogging 101. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging 101. Show all posts
16 May 2008
08 May 2008
This is a ScribeFire test!
ScribeFire is a plug-in that allows you to blog straight from your Firefox browser. This is my very first time using it.
Just now, I highlighted "plug-in," then clicked the "Add a Link" button. It automatically filled in the URL for the window I had open. COOL!
Next, I'm going to try and drag and drop the screenshot from the ScribeFire start window:
Yep, it worked!
Oh, if your tabs aren't all glossy and gooey looking like the ones in the pic, it's because you're not using Windows Vista or a Mac OS.
Okay, one last test before I get to work today. Let's see if I can highlight some text then drag and drop it below:
Alright, this thing rocks! Don't know how much I'll actually use it, as I generally create original content. But, hey, it's a sweet tool. Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!
Just now, I highlighted "plug-in," then clicked the "Add a Link" button. It automatically filled in the URL for the window I had open. COOL!
Next, I'm going to try and drag and drop the screenshot from the ScribeFire start window:
Yep, it worked!
Oh, if your tabs aren't all glossy and gooey looking like the ones in the pic, it's because you're not using Windows Vista or a Mac OS.
Okay, one last test before I get to work today. Let's see if I can highlight some text then drag and drop it below:
About ScribeFireIt worked,too! The only bad thing (or good, depending on your view) is that it didn't bring the orange color formatting of the "About ScribeFire" header. It did, however, format it (originally) as a blog title. On this blog, that meant it showed the 3 circles before the "About ScribeFire". It also pulled the linked text. Another quirk is that the drag and drop doesn't remove any of the breaks. See how the line breaks after "Browser"?
ScribeFire is an extension for the Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
that integrates with your browser to let you easily post to your blog: you can drag and drop formatted text from pages you are browsing, take notes, and post to your blog.
Alright, this thing rocks! Don't know how much I'll actually use it, as I generally create original content. But, hey, it's a sweet tool. Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!
27 March 2008
I Am Elated!
Back in late October, I left a labor of love: a local publication based on a web to print model. I had helped to build this potentially incredible publication from the ground up. I stood at ground zero and worked either for free or handouts.
I continuously stated, "My time is my investment." Yet, when I hesitantly asked for it in writing a year after helping to launch it, I was met with severe resistance then granted a mere pittance of pay. No partnership, no recognition that I was co-founder.
Aside from the abusive one-sided relationship with this supposed "partner," I lobbied relentlessly for the development and employment of contributor compensation and for more printing of the members'/contributors' content. After all, that's what we were claiming to do in our marketing materials.
Well, I decided that fateful October day that it was time for me to split. No reason to stick around for the "kids'" sakes. Several months have passed, and I've continued to remain somewhat active on the site. This was a serious mistake, as it kept me aware of the shamelessly self-interested and nosistic way he ran the site, while continuing to tell people that it was their voice in print when the actuality was much, much different.
I continued to turn a blind eye until today. He had announced that the one who contributed the "best" or "most interesting" article would win an iPod. Now, let's not discuss the sheer hackery of this "incentive." Every company, it seems, is using this form of enticement these days. Screw the iPod; pay me for my contributions... I have bills to pay.
What happened today to cause me to finally cut all ties? He deleted my comment/question in regards to the iPod incentive. I think my question was warranted: "How is the 'best' selected?"
Once I saw it was deleted, I deleted every blog I wrote, every picture I uploaded, every poll I devised, every field in my profile. I wanted to delete my account entirely, but he has cleverly hidden or removed this option.
With each item I deleted, especially each blog post, I felt a greater sense of joy. Each click of the delete button brought me to a tremendous sense of closure. As I was unable to delete my account, I wrote him with instructions to delete my account, that I was done with the site. But, it wasn't until I removed the bookmark from my browser that the full sense of elation washed over me and the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s immortal speech rang through my very fiber:
"Free at last, free at last, thank God, I'm free at last!"
Welcome to a truly new era in my blogging life.
I continuously stated, "My time is my investment." Yet, when I hesitantly asked for it in writing a year after helping to launch it, I was met with severe resistance then granted a mere pittance of pay. No partnership, no recognition that I was co-founder.
Aside from the abusive one-sided relationship with this supposed "partner," I lobbied relentlessly for the development and employment of contributor compensation and for more printing of the members'/contributors' content. After all, that's what we were claiming to do in our marketing materials.
Well, I decided that fateful October day that it was time for me to split. No reason to stick around for the "kids'" sakes. Several months have passed, and I've continued to remain somewhat active on the site. This was a serious mistake, as it kept me aware of the shamelessly self-interested and nosistic way he ran the site, while continuing to tell people that it was their voice in print when the actuality was much, much different.
I continued to turn a blind eye until today. He had announced that the one who contributed the "best" or "most interesting" article would win an iPod. Now, let's not discuss the sheer hackery of this "incentive." Every company, it seems, is using this form of enticement these days. Screw the iPod; pay me for my contributions... I have bills to pay.
What happened today to cause me to finally cut all ties? He deleted my comment/question in regards to the iPod incentive. I think my question was warranted: "How is the 'best' selected?"
Once I saw it was deleted, I deleted every blog I wrote, every picture I uploaded, every poll I devised, every field in my profile. I wanted to delete my account entirely, but he has cleverly hidden or removed this option.
With each item I deleted, especially each blog post, I felt a greater sense of joy. Each click of the delete button brought me to a tremendous sense of closure. As I was unable to delete my account, I wrote him with instructions to delete my account, that I was done with the site. But, it wasn't until I removed the bookmark from my browser that the full sense of elation washed over me and the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s immortal speech rang through my very fiber:
"Free at last, free at last, thank God, I'm free at last!"
Welcome to a truly new era in my blogging life.
22 September 2007
Blogging 101: Original Content Rules the Day
Less than 20 percent of all blog content is original.
I can't remember where I read that, but spend about a half hour cruising the web and you'll believe it. From blogs that clip a portion of news then link to the complete story, to blogs that review and recap other blogs, to advertising blogs that merely clip content from the business's main website...It's tough to find anything original on the blogosphere.
Online searchers can spend hours hitting the same content over and over again; same content, different blog. Granted, hot news stories lifted from CNN or The Onion are going to provide something engaging and interesting for your readers, but how do you make the content yours. How do you move your blog from newstand to newsroom status?
Take a Stand
Go ahead and post that news article on Microsoft's latest lawsuit or PETA's drive to outlaw bullfighting worldwide. Once you've clipped and linked to the story or paraphrased the details, tell your readers where you stand on the issue and why.
Offer Solutions
It's really easy to point out an issue from the news. But, what are you bringing to the table by offering up the issue? Provide a solution without regard for the reaction you think you might receive from your readers. Nothing opens up discourse better than when you claim to have the answer...be it right or wrong.
For advertisers, find those clips in the news that will allow you to offer your product or service as the solution:
Share Something Only You Know
Never believe that the stories running through your mind only have a place there.
Next: Comment, Comment, Comment
I can't remember where I read that, but spend about a half hour cruising the web and you'll believe it. From blogs that clip a portion of news then link to the complete story, to blogs that review and recap other blogs, to advertising blogs that merely clip content from the business's main website...It's tough to find anything original on the blogosphere.
Online searchers can spend hours hitting the same content over and over again; same content, different blog. Granted, hot news stories lifted from CNN or The Onion are going to provide something engaging and interesting for your readers, but how do you make the content yours. How do you move your blog from newstand to newsroom status?
Take a Stand
Go ahead and post that news article on Microsoft's latest lawsuit or PETA's drive to outlaw bullfighting worldwide. Once you've clipped and linked to the story or paraphrased the details, tell your readers where you stand on the issue and why.
Offer Solutions
It's really easy to point out an issue from the news. But, what are you bringing to the table by offering up the issue? Provide a solution without regard for the reaction you think you might receive from your readers. Nothing opens up discourse better than when you claim to have the answer...be it right or wrong.
For advertisers, find those clips in the news that will allow you to offer your product or service as the solution:
"Do you die to stay ahead of the fashion curve? NeoGothicPunkHippyPrep has the clothes and accessories sure to keep people thinking you just stepped off a Parisian runway."
Share Something Only You Know
Never believe that the stories running through your mind only have a place there.
- Does your neighbor's ant-extermination practices fascinate you? Write a story about it.
- How about that crack in the wall, staring you down day in and day out? Blog it. Who knows? Maybe a "crack in the wall" support group will fall right in your lap.
- Does someone in your community work tirelessly to clean the runoff ditches, but no one takes note? Honor them on your blog.
Next: Comment, Comment, Comment
12 September 2007
Blogging 101: What's Your Theme?
Themes establish expectations. Think of them as a costume party or a movie genre. You can play within the theme, but deviate from it too much and your audience will go elsewhere for the flavor they're seeking.
Switching Themes Can Kill Reader Base
Bob Dylan notoriously spit in the face of his loyal fans on a frequent basis. After the media screamed his accolades for his talent as a folk artist, he switched to electric guitar wailing. After he gained electric guitar fans he switched again, each time leaving his fans shaking their heads and feeling betrayed. Historically, we can look back and view his constant shift a bit more objectively and recognize it as experimentation. But from a marketing standpoint, Bob committed a major sin.
Switching Themes Can Increase Reader Base
Think Woody Allen. His over-the-top anxiety-ridden love stories grew stale, with the same plot devices and characterization becoming cliche. So, he moved into the realm of detective mysteries. His lifetime fan base enjoyed his first foree into the detective genre, but when he repeated it, they turned their backs to him. As a result, he began to take on the role of supporting actor and put his personality into someone else. Did you see "Scoop"? Note how well the gorgeous Scarlett Johannson pulled off Woody's characterization in his new detective theme, and note how many new fans he gathered in the process of switching themes.
Themes Can Be Broad or Specific
When deciding on a theme for your blog, you must first ask yourself the following questions:
Play with your theme and turn it into the title of your blog. The title of my WebRing blogs, for instance, is "Blogging 101." The title sets up an expectation that this blog will provide instruction on blogging, much like a school course. Clever titles can get you in trouble if they're not specifically tied into your theme, but don't be afraid to explore and be inventive with it.
Choosing a theme for your blog not only sets up expectations for your future reader base, it also helps guide your writing. Choosing a theme keeps you from having to stare at, as Hemingway calls it, the "White Bull" each day.
Next: Original Content Rules the Day
Switching Themes Can Kill Reader Base
Bob Dylan notoriously spit in the face of his loyal fans on a frequent basis. After the media screamed his accolades for his talent as a folk artist, he switched to electric guitar wailing. After he gained electric guitar fans he switched again, each time leaving his fans shaking their heads and feeling betrayed. Historically, we can look back and view his constant shift a bit more objectively and recognize it as experimentation. But from a marketing standpoint, Bob committed a major sin.
Switching Themes Can Increase Reader Base
Think Woody Allen. His over-the-top anxiety-ridden love stories grew stale, with the same plot devices and characterization becoming cliche. So, he moved into the realm of detective mysteries. His lifetime fan base enjoyed his first foree into the detective genre, but when he repeated it, they turned their backs to him. As a result, he began to take on the role of supporting actor and put his personality into someone else. Did you see "Scoop"? Note how well the gorgeous Scarlett Johannson pulled off Woody's characterization in his new detective theme, and note how many new fans he gathered in the process of switching themes.
Themes Can Be Broad or Specific
When deciding on a theme for your blog, you must first ask yourself the following questions:
- What is my purpose in creating a blog? Is it to simply journal my daily life or woes? Is it to share guerrilla marketing techniques? Is it to sell crochet patterns for doll house wares?
- How focused do I want my blog? In the example of guerrilla marketing techniques, you could simply let a news feed pore in stories from around the globe, or you could dial it in to focus on guerrilla marketing your latest comic book. The news feed will most likely attract many more readers, but will they leave your blog satisfied and with knowledge they can directly apply to their own guerrilla marketing efforts?
- How much flexibility do I want in my blog? Do you want to force yourself to write about something specific? In the creation of my WebRing blog, I decided that this would present the perfect opportunity to discipline my online writing into helpful tutorials on writing blogs. There's not a whole lot of room for flexibility in that. But in regards to my rogue writing blog, I can write about anything that fancies me that day...from poetry to political commentary to discourse on teaching poetry to kids.
Play with your theme and turn it into the title of your blog. The title of my WebRing blogs, for instance, is "Blogging 101." The title sets up an expectation that this blog will provide instruction on blogging, much like a school course. Clever titles can get you in trouble if they're not specifically tied into your theme, but don't be afraid to explore and be inventive with it.
Choosing a theme for your blog not only sets up expectations for your future reader base, it also helps guide your writing. Choosing a theme keeps you from having to stare at, as Hemingway calls it, the "White Bull" each day.
Next: Original Content Rules the Day
30 August 2007
Blogging 101: What's your message?
With the abundance of blogging programs available, you now have a simple-to-use platform for disseminating information on the Web. What's your message?
Blogs are a tremendous tool of empowerment. They allow you to say what you want and need. They help you draw in supporters of your cause or to rant about something that bothers you or to find friends by providing a sample of who you are through your writing.
So what are blogs NOT best used for?
Advertisements:
Unless you provide something substantial, merely saying "Buy my product" is tantamount to abuse of blogs. Blogs are a terrific way to advertise, but only if you provide something substantial such as a tip or advice. A good way to advertise with blogs while maintaing relevancy is to search for articles that validate the need for your product. Do you sell water filters in LA? Look for the latest LA Times article on the ever diminishing water quality in the Valley, clip a short quote, link to the full story and then offer your product as the solution to the problem.
One-time Greetings:
Saying "Hey, look at me! I got a blog" is fine as a first post, but follow it up with something else and keep following it up. Blogging creates audiences and audiences demand engagement. This means continually providing them content to read. If you don't think you're going to blog more than once, resist the urge to start a blog. A single Web page may better suit your needs.
That does it for this issue of Blogging 101.
Next: What's Your Theme?
Do you want to:
- Share stories otherwise missed by mainstream media?
- Provide advice or tips on something like childcare or grantwriting?
- Publish poetry and fiction onto the Web?
- Post photos and videos?
- Rant about an issue that pisses you off?
Blogs are a tremendous tool of empowerment. They allow you to say what you want and need. They help you draw in supporters of your cause or to rant about something that bothers you or to find friends by providing a sample of who you are through your writing.
So what are blogs NOT best used for?
Advertisements:
Unless you provide something substantial, merely saying "Buy my product" is tantamount to abuse of blogs. Blogs are a terrific way to advertise, but only if you provide something substantial such as a tip or advice. A good way to advertise with blogs while maintaing relevancy is to search for articles that validate the need for your product. Do you sell water filters in LA? Look for the latest LA Times article on the ever diminishing water quality in the Valley, clip a short quote, link to the full story and then offer your product as the solution to the problem.
One-time Greetings:
Saying "Hey, look at me! I got a blog" is fine as a first post, but follow it up with something else and keep following it up. Blogging creates audiences and audiences demand engagement. This means continually providing them content to read. If you don't think you're going to blog more than once, resist the urge to start a blog. A single Web page may better suit your needs.
That does it for this issue of Blogging 101.
Next: What's Your Theme?
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