Trust me, in being new to this experience, I have hardly established great ground rules on how to blog.
But in the early days I am finding a few things about this media management blog:
1. A number of regulars are using it daily.
2. It is vital I keep the Web served with fresh research, so I have a routine of blogging at one of three times in the day --- before work, during lunch or after work. I am trying to blog daily. I want to keep it regular.
3. I want this to be a resource, not a source of ranting. Partly it's because of the role I have at a media company, but mainly it's because I am tired of the faux critics who don't work in complex positions in media talking all about the complexities of media.
The other rule I have is that I don't expect to become rich and famous doing this. It's there for an outlet to circulate research, perhaps to let me say a few things about some fairly non-controversial things.
Today's New York Times has a good guide on becoming a blogging star. The advice in it is pretty grounded in reality.

 


Comments

Mark Hamilton
03/20/2008 23:32

"I am tired of the faux critics who don't work in complex positions in media talking all about the complexities of media"

Can you expand on that a little? Are you really saying that only those who "work in complex positions in media" are capable of talking about the complexities of media and journalism?

Reply
Kirk LaPointe link
03/21/2008 10:29

Not quite.
When I started the blog, I said the field of media critics was large already and didn't need one more. I thought I could offer information that would help others understand the factors influencing changes in newsrooms.
I think public criticism of the performance of media is entirely fair and appropriate. Of course, as consumers people are entitled to say what's wrong with media, and journalists should be listening quite carefully to those concerns.
My fatigue is with those who aren't inside media who want to discuss media motives and techniques. In my experience, on that score I find they usually get it wrong.
The factors are changing almost daily in how the job gets done or how the decision gets made in a newsroom, and I think it's difficult to insinuate yourself into that position and make a skilled observation.
I know I'd feel uncomfortable in making assertions even about former newsrooms. Even with my familiarity of the organizations and people, things change underfoot and what might have seemed a good decision a year or so ago would not be one now.
I find it is no different than any kind of armchair quarterbacking of someone else's performance. The complaint about the result is fair enough, but the analysis about how the result could have been altered is usually a bit off-base.

Reply
mark Hamilton
03/21/2008 12:47

Thanks, Kirk. That makes the statement much clearer.

Given that, though, I'm wondering if you'd like to share more about "The factors are changing almost daily in how the job gets done or how the decision gets made in a newsroom, and I think it's difficult to insinuate yourself into that position and make a skilled observation."

Getting an inside look at how the times are changing decision-making in journalism (without giving away all the secrets, of course) would certainly help readers come to grips with the results of the changes.

Just a thought.

Mark

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Kirk LaPointe link
03/21/2008 16:14

It's certainly the challenge of this blog, Mark, in how times are changing the way decisions get made without necessarily giving the store away.
I hope to do that increasingly as time goes on. Still taking first steps in this.
Kirk

Reply
Bill Dunphy link
03/23/2008 08:40

Hi Kirk,
I realize it's early days yet with this version of your online presence, and, thanks to this post I have a better understanding of why you're showing such restraint in your posts.
But.
The Kirk Lapointe I got to know, had some very sharp, clear views on our business and our future directions, views that sprang from both your personality and your broad and interesting reporting and managerial experiences (television, wires, newspapers, magazines).
Frankly, I hope to see more of those views here.
Your comments about wanting to avoid the simplistic pronouncements or off-the-cuff rants that are so common in this crowded marketplace serve as a compelling reason to offer something of deeper value.
Perhaps time pressures, and the unavoidable restraints imposed by your postion make such a blog impractical or impossible. If so, that's unfortunate, as on this side of the border we have precious few knowledgeable commentators sharing their thoughts and ideas about our industry.
Bill

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