Hey everyone...Happy Saturday! I'm here in Harrisburg, PA at PA Progressive Summitand this morning we are having a panel session called Blogging 101. And what better way to talk about blogging than to Live Blog the Blogging Panel.
First allow me to introduce the panel and then watch for updates here at the bottom of the space. If you have questions for the panel, you can ask them here or tweet the to me @Spedwybabs
Panelists:
John Morgan, Pennsylvania Progressive
Chris Bowers, Open Left
State Rep Mark Cohen, Daily Kos
Alan Franklin, Progress Now
and myself, Beth Becker, otherwise known as Spedwybabs here on the Great Orange Satan.
On with the panel...
Update: We are running a bit late because the Keynote Speaker ran late
Update 2: John Morgan is sharing screen shots of the blogs the panelists blog on
Update 3: Note: On Daily Kos you ALWAYS vote for Pie or Pooties :)
Update 4: Definition of Blogging: Web journal ...can be written by one person, several people or by community where many can post "diaries" like this one
Update 5: Eery blog has different rules on when you can post in relation to when you sign up as an effort to help prevent spam
Update 6: John is sharing some of the great PA based blogs
Update 7: Chris Bowers to talk about community blogs: When blogging went viral, was based on single individuals reporting on the news cycle but it has evolved to more journalistic like.
Update 8: It became too much to try to do by just one person, so groups bonded together to publish "group blogs" like Daily Kos. The advantage allows you to up your capacity on the media and activist level. As blogs got bigger, blogs "grew up" and allowed more way to become involved and build community.
Update 9: John says group blogs allow more voices to be heard
Update 10: Alan Franklin believes the blogosphere is much more mature today. The best way to start blogging is to join a community blog which is already well established and allows you "cut your teeth" (per John Morgan)
Update 11: Chris Bowers admits he got his start right here on Daily Kos!
Update 12: John Morgan suggests a good way to start blogging is to blog about local goings on....many local newspapers have blogs...look for blogs about issues you care about.
Update 13: Getting started...Chris Bower wants to talk about campaign blogging. Points out that blogging is not magic. It's about dealing w/communities of people and the leaders.
Update 14: You should be aware that your fundraising isn't going to come from the blogosphere but your goal should be to find supporters...drive traffic, meet people. Don't treat us as an ATM!
Update 15: You need to interact with the people on the blog. Don't send EVERY single press release...talk about what is relevant to them. Know your audience...give them what they are looking for. (Ed note: This is so important I can't stress it enough)
Update 16: Ben Barnett of PA2010- question about how to activate or inspire via blogging. How would you recommend a beginner use blogging to establish the viral aspect of blogging.
Mark Cohen responds: Use things like Facebook and Twitter to engage people and point them to your blog.
Update 17: Question: Blogspot- platforms? What else is out there? Answer: John Morgan says he started on blogspot but didn't much like it.
Update 18: Chris on driving people to your blog- RSS readers, SEO maybe a little. Remember: it's going to be content that drives people to your website/blog. 2 criteria: Originality and Quality.
Update 19: Moving into Q&A. Chester county woman talking about newspapers looking for community bloggers, newspapers looking for free content.
Update 20: A person new to blogging wondering where are and what are the ROI? Chris Bowers: Easy- the way Obama won the nomination was thru Caucuses...building community...using blogs to get the word out.
It's what you do with your community and blog.
Update 21: Alan Franklin points out the secondary effect blogging has on mainstream media efforts.
Update 22: As a non blogger how can I get my message out to bloggers? Chris suggests finding the blogs in your issue area:
Update 23: Of course I had to talk about Blog Workers Industrial Union right?
Update 24: I got caught up in trying to moderate but we are wrapping up. Thanks for being here.