'2 Blog Or Not 2 Blog?'
By Malcolm Hedges (09/07/08)
The blog has its place. I would suggest it's not appropriate for a "news" or a "pure journalistic" effort. Analysis, Commentary and News is not well served in a primarily interactive venue.
People that wish to blog should go for it!
However, a blog should be considered a personal place to spout your comments, memories, opinions and thoughts. Blogs often generally are free for all forums with endless comments,etc.
Many people have blogs and do columns as well, some of the material may well appear in both venues. The venue is what really matters. The blog can also serve as a personal archive for columns published.
Venues such as AmericanDaily present "Analysis with Political and Social Commentary' or something with a similar theme. Comments, pings and trackbacks are generally not provided. Readers can email the author with comments or submit a complimentary or rebuttal piece to the publishing site. An alternate method is a "Letter To The Editor" for consideration for posting.
For all practical purposes posting on a blog is like printing a pamphlet and hanging it on the wall in a local Supermarket, or standing on the street corner talking about your personal opinions. It might feel good but generally has little effect beyond a small circle.
if you can demonstrate an ability to write something pretty close to accepted English, think coherently, analyze with restraint and comment without personal malice, you are probably are a good candidate for actually being posted (published) on an eZine or WebZine.
Obviously, eZines and WebZines have an editorial bent, so you should submit to a publication that could or would appreciate your work.
You can blog all you want, getting serious national and international exposure means you need to write pieces that real editors are willing to post.
Mind you some very important eZines and WebZines call themselves blogs because they have no clue. It's your choice as where to submit.
Many "blogs" are open ended post dumps that can be inviting for having essentially no restrictions, I suggest taking your time to post there is a waste.
If you don't have a blog or have a blog just for fun, make a blog and consider refining your posts to reflect your publishing resume for getting serious national and international exposure.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Malcolm Hedges
