Posted by Mark Smith
It has been said that blogging is an expedient means of sharing one’s own experience and transferring knowledge with individuals who may express similar interests. Agreed! Access to a computer and internet technologies is the first of many steps in the process.
It has been said that anyone can blog. Not so quick! First, the statement “generally” assumes that individuals have both a comfort level with developing content and an ability to post utilizing network tools. Personally, I do not subscribe to this theory.
Active bloggers, comfortable with the process, would have you believe that blogging is a common phenomenon and that a majority of today’s population either monitors or contributes to blog content. Personal experience dictates this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
For active contributors, blogs offer an expedient means of sharing information around the world with the click of a button. Having “observed” several professional bloggers at arms length over the past year, it is clear the value of sharing information through open networks pays untold dividends; therefore, my willingness to jump in head first despite strong internal apprehensions.
So, why contribute in this fashion?
During the past quarter, I participated in two group interactions that included twenty and sixty well educated participants respectively. In each instance, I queried participants on their knowledge, monitoring or participation with blogs. In both instances, participants referenced knowledge of blogs while only “one” individual admitted a comfort level or active participation in the blogging process.
Perhaps it’s time for regional leaders, new entrants and prolific blog activists to develop Blogging 101, an immersion session for “Would Be” bloggers.
If our goal is to develop open networks while strengthening a sense of regionalism, we must be attentive to common needs. We must develop a sense of comfort with blogs, new technologies and access. We must promote an environment where all ideas count, experimentation is applauded, and ideas are valued.
So, remove those training wheels, find a partner, draft your first article and start blogging!