1. Sounds painful but it isn't...
BLOGGING
Sounds painful but it isn't...

2. BLOGGING
WHAT IS A BLOG?
In the most common sense, it is a website that contains online personal reflections
Comments from the audience
Hyperlinks provided by the writer
What purpose for a journalist?
Complements regular news coverage
Gives readers, viewers and listeners a behind-the-scenes look at coverage
Not limited by page size or run time

3. BLOGGING
BLOGS allow us to go into deeper detail and to create a more immersive experience for the audience
Enhances and encourages audience engagement
Gives the journalist an extended platform
Allows for the information that couldn’t be put into the story
Encourages shared content

4. THE SPECIFICS Have a narrow topic Keep it simple
Keep it separate from your personal blog
Niche blogs
Serve a specific audience
Take a topic and narrow it down, then narrow it again

5. CREATE LOYALTY AMONG READERSHIP
Blog frequently
Blog regularly
Interact with readers and with commenters

6. BLOG WRITING
It’s not enough just to be a good writer, you have to have a conversation with the reader
Write in the active voice
Remember, your work will be online forever, so don’t use words like “yesterday” or “tomorrow”
Use time references that will make sense years down the road
Take full advantage of the power of the platform
Have a mix of text, audio and video

7. GOING A STEP FURTHER... ELEMENTS THAT SET A JOURNALIST’S BLOG APART
Bring your attention to the news --What is happening right now?
Why do you need to know about it right now?
Posts may not always be long, but they are DEEP
Use the platform to deliver added value
Other sources of information
Linking to other websites
Use the web as it’s intended: to connect “like” pieces of information

8. VALUE ADDED TO STORIES
The stories in print or on the air will have context; the blog will be used to provide some of your own perspectives and analysis
Why does this matter?
What’s likely to happen next?

9. Sounds painful but it isn't...
BLOGGING
Sounds painful but it isn't...