From my reads on social networking, one lesson that has been consistently mentioned is, "INVEST TIME!" Web 2.0 tools are fascinating and present almost endless possibilities. However, they are hinged on engagement from the creators and from the users. A strategy must be developed in order to draw readers to the blog but also to keep them coming back. Such a feat cannot be achieved by merely creating a weekly post about library news. It is crucial to any blog's success that the creator is prepared to spend time, thought, blood, sweat and tears in order to make it worthwhile to readers. The strategy must also establish what the intent of the blog is going to be. What is the library hoping to achieve through this blog? The objective of most blogs is to disseminate information and draw users to the library. However, do they need and value feedback from users? The library should be prepared to foster a relationship with its users through the blog. This may demand time but in the end it can be quite fruitful.
Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herroyalmajesty/5068089039/
Investing time did seem to be one of the major recurring topics on advice columns regarding successful blogs! At a cursory glance this may seem simple, but I think it's more difficult than meets the eye. I like how you mentioned that a library should be prepared to foster a relationship with its users. A blog with a lot of followers is only that because it has 'spoken' and connected with its audience. And, the only way to accomplish this task is to really put time and effort into it. Kind of like what you did with this post - 'be quite fruitful', and then the fruit flickr photo. This post was very eye-catching to me, and I just had to read it right away. Well done!
ReplyDeleteWell stated! Anyone who wants to start blogging (especially libraries) should be aware that blogging requires a huge time commitment. In a way it is sort of deceiving. On its surface, blogging appears to be an easy way to disseminate information to the masses. All you have to do is sign up for some blogging software and post whatever information that comes to mind,…right? Well not exactly, if you want a successful blog that people will actually read you have to be witty enough to both entertain and inform the masses, which can be a tall order. However, as you stated when enough time has been invested in a blog to foster a relationship with its readers, then libraries will reap the fruit of their labor.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant use of photo and color. And it works well with the thought of the blog. I agree that a blog must be attractive and "sticky" to the point of hauling in readers. I'm curious about the posts out there that don't make it and might if a more care had been invested.
ReplyDelete