Coaching blogs

Michael Roberts, The Arizona Republic

Blogs are another format forconveying news and information.

Blogs are to supplement stories,not replace them.

Two assumptions

Three blog forms

• Aggregator

• Insider

• Commentator

AGGREGATOR: Blogs that emphasize aggregation are to beprime sources of news and information on a given topic, trend orblend of traditional beats. The blog will make connections andstitch together common threads within the topic. The bloggercould link users to other websites, as well as multimedia storyforms such as videos, slideshows and FLASH packages andsocial media channels such as Twitter and Facebook.

INSIDER: Insider blogs emphasizestories or events behind the scenesand around the news. Such blogsincorporate short items such asobservations, anecdotes, quotes,photos, links to related content.Much of the material in this kind ofblog comes off news alreadypublished in another form (i.e.stories; alternative story forms;columns; photos; multimedia.) Postsmay look ahead and anticipateevents. These could be a groupeffort or single author with expertisein the topic.

COMMENTATOR:Commentator blogs are anextension of existingcolumnists, reviewers andeditorial writers’ work, andare meant to convey theviews and personalities ofthe authors. Blog posts canbe quick responses tobreaking news, follows topublished columns, or othermaterial that augments theauthors’ columns orreviews.

• Aggregator

• Insider

• CommentatorMayor’s top aide is suspendedfollowing allegations of domesticviolence. Police called to theaide’s home Saturday night by911 call from wife. Aide takenaway. No charges filed yet.

Twitter

Blogs

Coaching a blog

…keeping taxpayers, residents and studentsinformed on K-12 education issues in thePhoenix, Arizona and across the nation.

National Education Association issues new studylinking student performance to teacher pay.

Sunrise school board votes down proposal toallow advertising on stadium scoreboard.

State school board increases number of charterschools that can be approved each year.

Local elementary school shows huge leap inreading scores with experimental program.

Local gym teacher suspended for sexualrelationship with student.

EPA issues new guidelines for handlinghazardous materials in high school science labs.

Story?

Blog post?

Create a blog…

1) Focus / audience

2) Type

3) Frequency

Proposal: (Your blog)

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http://www.slideshare.net/michael.roberts

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