The New BC 601 Class-- GET BLOGGING!!!

Hello, BC 601 students…REVIEW AND DIGEST THIS BLOG ENTRY. IT IS YOUR MISSION TO ESTABLISH A WEBLOG AND COMPLETE THE DIRECTIVE AT THE END OF THIS ENTRY DURING THE BREAK!!!

SETTING UP YOUR WEBLOG
If you haven’t established a weblog yet, please do so NOW. I strongly suggest you use Blogger. I am familiar with it and from time to time in class I can field questions, etc., concerning Blogger as I have used it for a few years now. Spend time NOW learning the tools, selecting a template, etc. I have tried using other free blog servers out there, but Blogger is the one I know and trust (it’s owned by Google). FYI, I don’t get any kickbacks from Google. Be wise in naming your blog as it should connect to the mission of your blog and as well as help brand yourself online.

WEBLOGS: A CLASS REQUIREMENT
You will be engaged in weekly blog entries. Use great care in selecting a user name and password. Write them down, e-mail them to yourself and make them easy for you to remember. Again, it is important to chose a blog name that reflects your PROFESSIONAL GOALS or persona. The blog should augment a resume and be a way for you to catch a potential employer’s attention. Your blog should help you stand out from all those other college grads you compete with after commencement.

WHY ARE YOU BLOGGING FOR THIS CLASS?
Employers are now searching the web to sniff out the dirt on the people they hire. The fire people who blog about work (positive or negative). They’re checking out MySpace and Facebook to find insight and answers to questions that would qualify as "illegal questions" in the context of a job interview. Companies are using the Internet to weed out the people the DON’T want to hire. Your capstone weblog is geared to do the opposite. It will serve as a window into your professional persona. It will be a place for you to articulate your knowledge and understanding of your field. It is a medium for you to showcase your command of the terminology and nuances of the industry. It is a place for you to communicate your strengths and skills as a young professional transitioning from college to the next phase of your professional life.

THE CHEAP THRILLS ARE A BIG PLUS
Adding pictures, when tasteful and relevant and composed well, can accentuate your blog. Consider how they can work as an asset to drawing in attention. Video amplifies your command of multimedia. Blogger now lets you upload video files direct to a post or you can embed video clips from YouTube or other sources.

Links are also key. You can have a link list to sites that have similar missions to yours or sites you find helpful, entertaining, etc. You will also want to embed links in your posts that serve as resources/attribution for material you discuss.

You will also want to read and comment on other blogs. This promotes interaction and can drive people to visit your blog.

Your profile should avoid releasing any “personal” information that could contribute to identity theft, and you should strive to promote yourself as a mature, viable candidate for employment. You want to come off polished and grown up. Be very selective in what you include in your profile.

DRAFT A WEBLOG MISSION STATEMENT
You will want to craft a mission statement to include in the sidebar area of the blog. This can simply state the goal of your blog (and it should connect back to your blog name). For instance, if you want to be a newscast producer you can state you will review a newscast each week from a market where you can potentially land an internship or first job. Each review would discuss strengths and weaknesses of a station’s product and your assessment should explore how well you might fit in that operation.

FOLLOW WEAVER'S WEBLOG GUIDELINES
When blogging please apply my guidelines--here's the link! You never want to share private/personal details. You never want to go negative. You want a well written entry that communicates briefly, but presents sound points that are organized well.

FINALLY-- WHAT'S NEXT
Please review the guidelines, craft your blog mission statement and e-mail me that mission statement for some feedback. Once you get that to me, I will respond with some links you can use as examples of well written blog entries and you can begin journey into the blogosphere. Your first graded blog entry is due on the first day of class.