More Blogging Tips

Some things to note as you blog:

1. Remember that hotlinks should go within the body of your post, highlighting particular words in your sentences, not listed separately at the end. You can list additional references at the end, of course. Also, mix up your links. The best links are ones that support your claim or serve as precise reference for a specific concept. General info links (like Wikipedia entries) are okay, but don't work well if you link to some huge page explaning, say, "energy" in general.
   
2. Another hotlink practice to try is to link to other blog posts/news, aka backlinking (example here, backlinking to GG). Backlinking starts the "you-scratch...I scratch-yours" cycle that places you within the blogosphere community, and can start some rather friendly (or unfriendly) debates if you are writing a rebuttal to someone else!
   
3. Keep posts short! Obviously, the fun of blogging is that it takes many forms and sizes. But try practicing at least one post within the 250-word limit. Instead of explaining some common concepts, use hotlinks to a reputable source ("the reasons for buying sustainable seafood are well known...").
   
4. Don't forget to use labels/tags. These help categorize your post within the blog, making your post searchable. Try to pick labels that already have been used -- if someone already used "climate change", use that instead of making a new label of "global warming". Keep labels to keywords or timely lingo that readers could be attracted to. Use esoteric or specific terms as last resort.
5. Pictures are awesome.
   
6. Let your voice come through. Yes, our initial tipsheet is more for a "professional/corporate blog" -- as if you blogged on behalf of your NGO or agency. This can be a bit bland sometimes. But there may come a time when you are the focus: if you start a personal blog, or you're the star blogger for your org (à la Green Grok), or you're simply given free rein by your bosses to be more unconventional. You'll then have to let your personality come through, while being mindful of your audience (age, political affiliation, etc.). How would you say something in everyday conversation -- your figures of speech, humor, pop references? Blogging has its origins on online diaries and op-ed columns -- follow those roots, and creat your personality!
   

In all, great work on Blog #1. Great job on the tone and level of depth. There are some great hooks/ledes/headlines out there, as well as some good current events and commentary pieces. Check your posts for our comments, and we encourage all to read and comment on posts outside of your groups.

On the MOTE Blogroll...

I've linked a few sites on our blogroll, but I should give some introduction to them at this time...

ScienceBlogs (owned by SEED Media), Nature Blog Network (independent), and Nature Blogs (owned by Nature Publishing) are examples of blog networks. As mentioned in class, these are essentially organized blogrolls that have turned into a community portal. For example, ScienceBlog started about 3 years ago by seeking out the most popular and highest-quality science-related blogs. Now it serves as a one-stop source, organized by topics, for anyone interested in blogs on science. The network builds cred by assembling a high-caliber product that generates hits, and invited bloggers get a cut of the much-higher advertising revenue (and renown) they now enjoy.

Among ScienceBlogs are two noteworthy ones. 1) The Intersection is co-written by Sheril Kirshenbaum, a young professional now at the Nicholas School who has a great deal of science media experience. You can probably email her if you are interested in learning her past projects. 2) TetZoo is a favorite of mine, not only because I'm a dinosaur geek, but because it is an exceedingly well-written, well-researched blog. It's written by an academic mainly for an academic audience (or similarly literate enthusiasts), and the community is active in commenting on the blog. I admire Dr. Naish's posts because every little detail has citations, and the posts are always so full of personality. It's like reading a journal, but fun.

Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, and Sunsets is an example of a personal blog with no intention of professional exchange, yet discusses science from the viewpoint of a professional. This could be what your own personal blog might look like someday, if you start one for the fun of it. It should be noted that Mr. MacPherson works for a marine conservation NGO, but to prevent conflicts in company representation, he must keep full separation of his blogging hobby from his daytime job. This is a key issue that all you need to heed, should you ever choose to maintain a personal blog.

Finally, check out the Green Grok and the Nicholas Hawaii Blog. These are a good example of weaving a blog into a comprehensive media outreach program. The Grok serves as the trusted, official voice of the Dean to the rest of the world, while the Hawaii blog showcases student experiences and learned facts as part of a greater promotional campaign.

Got a favorite sci/env blog? Send it over and we'll add it to the blogroll!

ENV 301.25 is profiled ... in a press release, no less

Students Take the Lead in Creating New Course on Communicating Science
By Robyn Walker, MEM ‘10
Jan. 21, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. – It’s necessary today for environmental managers and policymakers to have a strong understanding of science. Equally vital, however, is knowing how to communicate that understanding to nonscientists.

This spring, students at the Nicholas School are learning how to do just that.

(Full article here)

First Post!

Princesses of clean power and he-men of sustainability, hold your magical keyboards aloft and say, "I have the power!"