Blogging for the first time is an intimidating task. The safety of a streamlined news report is no longer in place to conceal more personal views. Instead, a blog invites personal opinion to be expressed not only from the blogger but from the readers as well.
The most common trait of successful blogs that I have seen is an engagement with the readers that asks for their thoughts and comments on the topic discussed. Journalist Charlie Gates’ blog The Picture Palace consistently asks readers to comment on his thoughts and they are not shy to do so. The New Zealand Herald film blogger Dominic Corry also invites discussion in his blog Adventures in Celluloid and makes an effort to reply to comments publicly. Both these bloggers exemplify that it is not enough to just share your view in a blog; you also have to respond to those who follow you and respond quickly. The use of the internet provides a quicker and more collaborative type of news than print that demands active participation from the blogger.
Collaboration is not just between a single blogger and their readers. Websites like Film School Rejects have a team of writers contributing to the impressive collection of film reviews, discussion and extra information to sate a film junkie’s appetite. With clever blog names like Blog of Thrones and Commentary Commentary this website of mass blogging illustrates how having a niche topic can boost your online presence. Commentary Commentary makes lists of things learned from listening to the film commentary on special edition releases. Even though it has a specific aim it remains easily accessible to a wide range of people by discussing a variety of films from The Wizard of Oz to Casino Royale. Even Breaking Dawn gets a turn.
These blogs all indicate the importance of involving the reader in your writing by inviting them to respond and making the effort to respond back. A blog can create a more friendly atmosphere of exchange over a topic and lead onto to discovering new information or a different view that wasn’t considered before. It is clear to see that a beginning journalist must make the effort to join into discussion with the blogosphere and maintain this discussion regularly.
tua ia e daniela 