Although blogging as been largely seen as an ‘opinion’ based source, the importance it has brought to the journalism industry is fast growing, especially for beginner journalists and well-established journalists in the field.So firstly, what makes a good blog? After reading a few websites and forums on good blogging, I found the following: According to the ProBlogger website (10 Tips For Writing A Blog Post) created by Darren Rowse, the first necessary ‘must’ is to be able to make your opinion known and blunt.
People enjoy reading blogs because they like to hear other people’s opinions on a certain matter or subject. If they wanted facts, they could pick up a newspaper or switch on a news channel. This is one of the beauties of blogging.
Darren Rowse believes that less is more. He states that a blogger should ‘give the maximum amount of information with the least amount of words’. Time is precious and your readers are bound to be busy. A long winded blog post will bore the reader and they are likely to stop midway reading your blog and lose interest in what you have to say. He also claims that a blog post should not be more than 250 words.
To Darren, the headline is vitally important; the ‘snappier’ the better. You want your reader’s attention grabbed by the first couple of words you have put onto the blog post. Besides the vitally important points made above by Darren, he believes that a blogger should identify a certain style of writing and stick to it, if you wish to gather a following of fans. A blogger should also constantly edit their posts, ‘good writing is in the editing’, the website states. ‘Before you hit the submit button, re-read your post and cut out the stuff that you don’t need’.
Besides creating a blog for a light read and the chance to express your creative writing style, blogging has a huge importance in the journalism world, especially for students and beginner journalists in the intimidating and fast-paced field.
Robert Niles, a lecturer at USC Annenberg in the states and British journalist, Bill Thompson both agree that blogging is highly essential for journalism students and beginner journalists. Niles believes that ‘that blogging gets students in the habit of writing and in a conversational style that effective journalism needs’. According to the website, News About the News, ‘all blogs are reaching a common goal, spreading information. This spreading of information is the focus of journalism today’.
Most lecturers or professors require their journalist students to create and update a blog, which prepares the students for their future careers. The blog teaches them about writing skills as well as certain writing styles, helping them to identify their niche and guide them through to their future careers.
Paul Balerak, an American journalist started blogging in October 2004. Now, 7 years later, he believes that ‘blogging is now a part of the media mainstream. A viable source for news stories, gossip and opinions.’ Paul stated that blogging was a career -changer for him. It has provided him with work, training and a bit of money. Blogging has assisted Paul throughout his journalism career so far and continues to do so.
No matter who starts a blog or what experience they acquire from continuously updating and creating blog posts, blogging has assisted the journalism field in more than one way. It’s now seen as a media source for journalists everywhere and it helps prepare future journalists for challenges they will face in their chosen career path.
Research:
Ten Tips For Writing A Blog Post by Darren Rowse
The Importance Of Blogging In Journalism Education by Robert Niles
The Importance Of Blogging – News About The News Website
Blogging for Journalists by Adam Westbrook
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