Most mainstream users don’t read blogs. The layout and content are usually not what they are used to and most people would rather stick with the BBC or their favourite newspaper.
To combat this I try to turn my blogs into magazine / newspaper style sites to target mainstream users and just let savvy people read via RSS.
The interesting thing about mainstream media sites is the way that they report news. Bloggers tend to add their own opinion whereas journalists are trained to keep opinions out of the story. Whenever a mainstream news source picks up a story the first thing they do is interview an expert on the subject and include a quote from them in the article.
How many times have you got quotes from experts on your blog?
Patrick Altoft is Director of Search at Leeds based digital & SEO agency Branded3. Patrick also runs Blogstorm.You can get our blog posts delivered for free by email every day - simply add your email address to the box below or alternatively grab the RSS feed.
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Blogs are subject specific. The author himself knows about the subject. Is there any requirement to seek expert opinion? In any case readers are going to give their opinion relating to the subject.Correct me if lam wrong.
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Journalists are often experts in the subject too. The point is that having an expert giving their opinion adds credibility to your arguments.
More comments from Patrick AltoftThanks for the clarification.
I’ve got lots of quotes from experts on my blogs, but then I’m a journalist rather than a blogger per se and it comes with the teritory. I don’t get quotes for every post, they’re not always useful or possible and because it’s a blog post rather than a news article I also include my own opinionated opinions in the writing
You can quote me on that!
db
I often use quotes as a jumping off point to commentary.
I don’t think many bloggers get expert opinions that often. Sometimes though, I think they immerse themselves in the subject a bit more.
Journalists are often experts in their field.
Bloggers generally LIVE in their field. A tech writer at the NY Times probably does some research here and there, goes to trade shows, but might very well go home and not even have a computer they use regularly at home. I bet most bloggers with tech related blogs immerse themselves into it with far greater fervor. Not that one way is more valid than the next, just very different styles.
For me I treat myself an expert on what I am reading and If I am not I am very vocal to ask my reader. That is one of the difference between Journalist and Blogger
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