Travis Warringt on Dual Degree (MA) Candidate in Sustainable International Development & Coexistence and Conflict Using Social Media for Professional Success: Blog and Newswire Workshop

1. What blogs are 2. Why to read them 3. How to find blogs 4. Aggregation of blogs › How to access the aggregate › Other ways of collecting blogs 5. Your own blog 6. Various blogs 7. Final Advice March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

 "A blog (a blend of the term ‘web-log’) is a type of website or part of a website.  Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.  Entries are commonly displayed in reverse- chronological order.  Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog“. (Wikipedia) March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Blogs are…  Here/now, in the constant present and in the future  Custom niche journalism based on and from personalized content from experts  Each blog piece are opinions based on data, articles, books, and/or personal experiences  Citizen journalism that can be done by anyone, not just practitioners or scholars March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

We already have plenty of reading to do, but…  Articles by academics; blogs are written by practitioners  News with a critiqued twist  ‘Get smart’ in your field  “Academics, journalists, donors, Washington think tank-ers, UN or NGO staff — they all bounce ideas around here”. March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Why fundraisers should read development blogsWhy fundraisers should read development blogs by Richendag of World Vision  Better understand your “Product”  Donors want more…share your insights (from reading blogs) with the info-hungry donors  Stay current in your field Also see: Why aid and development workers should be reading blogs by Linda Raftree of Plan InternationalWhy aid and development workers should be reading blogs March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Gain information on…  Interesting/current subjects circa:1 mill. shirts, World Vision Super Bowl Shirts, evaluation of Millennium Villages, analysis of Indexes, etc.  Subjects create debates  Influence policy March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

1. What professionals/scholars/field practitioners are doing with their lives? › Many blogs exists about subjects that interests you 2. Pick a topic you are passionate about, or want more information on. 3. Search for your keywords of interest at: › blogger.com blogger.com › wordpress.com wordpress.com March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1 Steps

 Many blogs on topics of interest revolving around either one or a few topics.  New posts for blog published often (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.).  “So, need to check each blog every day for new posts?”  Nope! March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

‘ R eally S imple S yndication’  Managing the informational flow  Used on most websites for newest entries for news headlines, audio, video and BLOGS!  Use feed aggregator for subscriptions.  Look for this orange symbol, click and follow. March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

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 Subscribe by › Con: Adding to the already horrendous amount to your normal  Or, other feed aggregators: › my.yahoo.com › newsgator.com/rss-readers.aspx › bloglines.com › netvibes.com/en › pageflakes.com/default.aspx  Guardian Development: has a feed of bloggers that include all the essentials. That is an easy place to check every so often without having to set up an RSS.  For iPhone: MobileRSS or PulseMobileRSS March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

 Not only are blogs a great way to learn new things and hear different opinions it's a great way for you to establish your online presence and brand!  We all have opinions that matter. Share them with the world and get your message out there! Blogs are a perfect way to start. March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Free blog setups Blogger WordPress Blog MyBlogSite ThoughtsBravenet March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Development/Aid  Aid Watch Aid Watch  Good Intentions are Not Enough Good Intentions are Not Enough  Chris Blattman Chris Blattman  From Poverty to Power From Poverty to Power  Owen Abroad Owen Abroad  Tales From the Hood Tales From the Hood  Find What Works Find What Works Public Policy  Women Impacting Public Policy Women Impacting Public Policy Nonprofit/ Business  Aspiration: NonProfit Management & Operation Aspiration: NonProfit Management & Operation March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Conflict  War is Boring War is Boring  Early Warning Early Warning Development + Conflict  World Bank World Bank  Dan Smith’s Blog Dan Smith’s Blog NGO/Donor agencies  Innovations for Poverty Action Innovations for Poverty Action  Peace Dividend Trust Peace Dividend Trust International Health  Global Health Hub Global Health Hub  Global Health Blog Global Health Blog  Conflict Health Conflict Health  Healthy Lives Healthy Lives Need more ideas, ask me or Google it March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

 Addictive, and may cut into school work & social life   Excellent way to get a more nuanced version of current events globally  Good way to network and find out about events too March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1

Contact Info My multi-blog.website  My blogs: › Peace Corps blog (‘08-’10): travispcv.blogspot.com travispcv.blogspot.com › Current blog/website: traviswarrington.com   me: warrint (at) brandeis (dot) com  Blog terminology: blogossary.com March 17, :15 - 1:45pm G1