Report from 2008 Blog World Expo
After attending Blog World Expo in Las Vegas this past weekend, I can say with full authority that bloggers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They write about politics, religion, education, books, health, life as a parent and a myriad of other topics. While the technology that facilitates communication is important, it is the writers’ points of view and clarity of expression that make blogs compelling reading – or not.
No matter the topic, bloggers are encouraged to write with passion and honesty. Authenticity and transparency are the currency in the blogosphere, and there are those who define success by the size of their readership or their ability to connect with others of like mind. Successful monetization is the Holy Grail for many as they look to turn their passion into profit. Influencing the conversation is sufficient reward for others. Spreading the gospel, whether biblical, political or something in between is a function of creative and original content supported by insightful commentary from readers.
At this second annual national blog event, the state of the blogosphere is strong. More than 22.6 million people are blogging in the U.S. alone (Technorati statistics). Although there are a few who have blogged for more than three years, the majority of bloggers have been at it for less time. We were reminded by some of the blogosphere leaders at the conference that although we may feel like we’ve come to the party late, in fact, we are all still considered early adopters.
Old media (broadcast, radio, video) is morphing into new media (all of those things plus social networking on the Internet). The ability to find and build community around issues of common interest is still evolving. While the technology and communication tools have changed and we have the ability to slice and dice topics into infinitesimal pieces and build communities around them, the essentials of good communication have not changed.
To be credible and successful, you must:
• Tell a coherent story
• Be sincere and honest
• Show appreciation
Blogs provide writers the opportunity to share their minds and hearts with others without dependence on the traditional publishing industry. However, writers still have an obligation to present well-researched and reasoned content. Building an audience around a product, an idea or a cause has never been easier. If you are not yet part of the online conversation, when will you join in?
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