Author: emmasaji

Blogging and Monetization

If I was to monetize Rated E, I think I would choose primarily advertisement and corporate sponsorship. I would also leave the option to donate via Paypal because it couldn’t hurt anything. (If possible, and if I was really gaining a significant fanbase, I would perhaps sell merchandise but that isn’t likely to happen with opinionated/review blogs.)

Because my blog is based on the opinions and reviews of movies and TV shows, it would be easiest and most beneficial to do advertisement. It’s the perfect type of blog for advertising because it targets a very specific audience that has a significant amount of people; advertisers who would feature on my blog would be upcoming films and perhaps films that don’t get enough advertisement on TV or in theaters. Perhaps straight to DVD films could feature their advertisements. New upcoming shows that aren’t projected to have high ratings for their premiere could advertise and perhaps boost their numbers. The same can be said for corporate sponsorship except it would be more genuine and would not in any way take away from how followers may think of my blog. Services like Netflix could perhaps give me a discounted membership. Film companies could send “indie” movies to me and I would watch them and review with my honest opinion.

Both of these options would be perfect for my blog and it wouldn’t take away credibility or the integrity of my blog because my blog is very easy-going and there is no formula. I watch whatever interests me and I state my honest opinion. Occasionally, I’ll watch something that others recommend or something that catches my attention but there is nothing that I wouldn’t necessarily watch except for things in the horror/gore category. I would even watch thrillers. Readers of my blog wouldn’t suddenly feel cheated or annoyed by the advertisements and sponsorships because they would be relevant. I don’t think anyone would think of it as “selling out” or anything like that.

Blogging: Anonymity

When reading blogs that have an anonymous writer, I think that it definitely depends on the type of blog it is. I don’t know that it matters one way or the other to me. Most blogs are anonymous and maybe it’s just the way I look at them or I’ve learned about them but blogs seem to be online journals or diaries. I think personal blogs can have as much anonymity as a writer sees fit. I have a personal journal and I don’t write my name in it because in the event that it gets lost, I don’t want people to know who wrote it. I don’t write anything bad (so far) about my friends or anyone but I would still like to be unconnected to the information if it was found by someone. I think the writers of personal blogs should be allowed to be anonymous because some just write online to get it out or to express themselves; many are just venting or processing their life. Many people argue that they should write in a book but I think personal blogging allows for a person who may feel alone to have different, objective opinions or words of support while still essentially keeping their vulnerabilities and secrets hidden-hidden because they aren’t connected to a person in the way of a face or  a name.

Even personal blogs that post about outside information- books, cooking, daily adventures, movies, etc- should be allowed to be anonymous if the writer so chooses. People tend to search a person online before deciding whether it is worth knowing the person; it’s honestly just another way to judge someone and while it is mostly alright on a social level, everyone knows that little rants on a blog post are not going to aptly represent a person’s worth ethic or a person’s relevance to a job. Just as we would not spy on a person as they interact with their friends at a bar to gain information, we shouldn’t be able to look at personal blogs or profiles of anyone to gain information either. For this reason, I completely understand why a person would want to remain anonymous and I don’t necessarily have any reaction to a blogger who chooses to do so.

However, if a person is trying to get into professional blogging, they should perhaps give a real name or at least establish an alias and contact information, just so that they give a more professional impression. They should also provide some credentials that show that they have validity when they speak on their subjects (but again, this depends on what subject they want to speak on)

I think Tumblr is an excellent example, though it’s rather small compared to legitimate blogging. I occasionally will write personal blog posts on my Tumblr and I used to complain about a person if she annoyed me or if she was rude and I liked the anonymity, not because I was afraid that she would find out about me but because I didn’t want others to find out about her. I think that, yes anonymity does probably encourage negativity but there’s nothing wrong with it as long as it isn’t hurting someone. People are allowed to be negative and they are allowed to feel bad about something or someone. I think anonymity can actually be a good thing if used correctly. In my case, the only way anyone would know who I was talking about was if they went to my school and actually knew who the person was in relation to me. The only way the person would ever see the posts about her would be if she found my blog. Her identity and mine, for the most part, is protected.

Live Blogging

I think that live blogging can be influential but it depends on what the topic is and it depends on how live blogging is being utilized. Music was used for the example; if someone was live blogging a concert or performance I wanted to go to, it would be their real life experience and it would be informative to me. If the atmosphere wasn’t fun or if the fans are rude and obnoxious, I would be able to know what someone live blogging about that. Likewise, if the artist wasn’t performing right or if they weren’t a good singer live, I would know. I think this is a pretty good summation of live blogging’s pros. The main point of live blogging is to show what is happening through your reactions. Live blogging at its core is informative. It may be colored with emotions or bias of a person but for the most part, you can somewhat tell what is going on. I think that live blogging something has the potential to change a perception but for the most part, it’s not really going to do anything. A smaller benefit would be that other people who are watching the same thing as you could point out something that you may have never seen otherwise. Many things from different events or movies have been pointed out in a live blog that, looking back, I wouldn’t have taken notice of.

As for the cons of live blogging, I think that spoilers is the main thing. If someone is a live blogging a show that you haven’t gotten the chance to watch or even if your tv is a few seconds slower than theirs, you’re going to get surprises ruined. The same can be said for the previous example used; if an artist has a surprise ending for their concert and someone is live blogging that experience, you’re going to go to the concert expecting it and it’s going to lose its effect. On the other hand, if someone live blogs about that surprise ending and then it’s not there for the concert that you attend, it may leave you feeling disappointed and cheated. I personally find that I can’t go on Tumblr at all if I plan on watching something later than its airing date. I’ve gotten spoilers for the Grammy’s, episodes of shows that have been out for about 2 days, the Presidential debate, etc. A very real and more serious con of live blogging is the potential to give information to the wrong people. In the event of a school shooting, if the school is on lockdown and there are people outside watching the police activity and live blogging the event, the shooter inside (who would most likely have internet access) could potentially look up the event and see where police are to avoid immediate confrontation. They could plan a getaway or a strategic shootout. More often than not, school shootings tend to be led by people who don’t actually care what happens to them. If they know that the police are in a certain area, they may just avoid the area and continue with their actions elsewhere (obviously this depends on the school). Regardless of what is decided, it’s never a good thing to alert the enemy of the positions that the police have taken or their activities.

Blogging Network

I think if I wanted to make a career out of TVB and movie reviews I would but it’s more of a hobby. If I wasn’t in college and I watched more television/movies, I would definitely join a network but as my blog is right now, I wouldn’t. I think a network focusing on entertainment can be tricky however. Most people, if they have their own blogs, are going to be writing about multiple shows so it would be hard showcasing any one blog. I think a blogging network for entertainment would have to be extensive; it would have to be broken up between genres and it would have to highlight at least three posts/bloggers within each genre. They would need to have a “hot topics” section and a “popular” section, the former for trending topics (ex. post about the teen wolf finale) and the latter for top shows (ex. general game of thrones post)

Because there are so many aspects of TV- writing, directing, filming, effects, characters, romantic relationships, platonic relationships, plot, etc- it would be hard choosing who could and couldn’t be featured on the network. Especially since they would most likely be competition. there would most likely be arguments instead of help. On Popsugar for example, those are mothers or people  networking and getting tips from each other. That’s the kind of website that promotes help. A network about opinions would not be the same because you don’t need anyone else’s opinion. You already have yours and it would definitely be a source of conflict. Of course, this could work to your advantage if a fellow blogger doesn’t mind having friendly competition with your differing opinions, sort of like an established rivalry; you could drive traffic to each other’s blogs.

I think a network could work but it would definitely have to be well thought out. There are so many television shows and so many differing opinions- and opinions within opinions- that it would be hard to categorize. I think it would have to be very basic where the network “hired” writers to write their articles/reviews and the bloggers would just have a link back to their original website/blog.

6th Annotated Bib

Palis, Courteney. “How Essential is the Internet to the US?” Huffington Post. Thehuffingtonpost.com, inc. Mar. 20, 2012. Apr. 6, 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/20/internet-economy-infographic_n_1363592.html&gt;

This article explains the importance of the internet. It includes infographics, which are probably the most vital information. While it’s not very lengthy, this article is good because it provides links to information expanding on certain facts such as the amount of people that use the internet, the amount of things bought online, etc. The infographics also compare the internet to other industries with regard to the economy and spending money. This is an important article because it establishes the importance of the internet and the online world. It shows that people are moving to the internet for everything. And while the popularity of the internet was already obvious, there are now facts to use. This will set the groundwork in my paper for why any business would benefit from having an online presence and why they should have a blog.

Fave Business and Start-Up Business

Think about some businesses or brands that you admire. Look at their social media presence. Explain how the brand is effective or ineffective with its social media strategy.

I looked at the company, Nintendo. Their social media presence is decent; they have 3 major locations. They have a Facebook, a Twitter, and a Youtube channel. Their Facebook posts regularly about new games, new systems, and promotions/giveaways or sales that may be happening at certain stores. It features pictures of game systems and new screencaps or promotional art for new games. They also provide links for further information on games. Their twitter is just the streamlined version of their facebook; they mostly make announcements and they provide links to everything-videos, pictures, bigger stories, etc. Because Nintendo is aimed at children, these websites are adequate for reaching their parents. However, I think that there is enough of a following in the young adult/teen category and they should expand to include a Tumblr where they can entertain comments and questions as well as get their information out here through the reblog feature of Tumblr. It’s very easy and they would essentially have free marketing and advertising; their followers would spread the word for them. Their Youtube channel is perhaps the most effective as it provides game trailers, tv commercials, reviews, walkthroughs/advice/guides, announcements and news (specifically for their game systems’ software and also their online store accessible through the game systems) and demonstrations of gameplay.

In a small group, think of a start-up business. As a group decide the following things: what product(s) or service(s) will you sell? What will be your goals for social media, and which social media channels will you most utilize? Create a social media policy for employees of the company you created.

My business would be a lounge type restaurant that featured live entertainment, music most of the time with perhaps the occasional comedy/magic acts. Certain nights would have themes and would play a specific type of music. The target audience would be anyone. It would be a BYOB (before 8pm) restaurant so that families would most likely be the main customers but other groups would still want to come once the dinner rush slowed. Perhaps, it would sell any related products from the artists/entertainers.

The business would most likely use all of the major/popular social websites just to make sure it was reaching a sizeable audience: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr. Facebook would be used to show special events and provide easy information regarding themed nights or the entertainment. It would also showcase a few pictures of special nights and the entertainment provided. The business’s Instagram would mostly feature entertainment and the customers/audience having a good time to entice potential customers. Occasionally, food would also be shown. Tumblr may be a bit redundant but many younger people are drifting away from Facebook and instead turning to Instagram and Tumblr so it’s useful to have all three. The Tumblr would be used mostly like the Facebook page, showcasing a bit of everything but perhaps personal reviews, stories and comments from customers would be posted. The twitter account would really just be used to link to the other accounts and to perhaps the personal accounts of the entertainers featured in the restaurant. Otherwise, tweets would provide quick information such as special events, location, self-promoting messages, and any updates on the restaurant and any affiliates. A websites would be used to answer any questions or concerns except Instagram.

Social Media Policy:

1. Employees on any social media website must not name the restaurant in a status/tweet/post if it is negative, whether it be about the restaurant or it’s customers.

2. Entertainment and regular employees must follow/like the restaurant’s page on Facebook or twitter if they have an account.

3. Entertainment must have a twitter and must tag the restaurant’s twitter when making reference.

4. Any pictures taken in or around the restaurant must acknowledge/reference the restaurant.

5. No explicit language is allowed to be in the same status/tweet/post as the restaurant’s name

6. Advertisement team must have separate accounts from their personal accounts on any social media website

7. Advertisement team accounts must be professional; no personal unrelated stories, no negative stories, no cursing, no irrelevant information.

8. The restaurant’s Twitter and  Tumblr must be updated at least three times a day and Facebook must be updated at least once a day. The Instagram should be updated at least four times a week.

9. The Tumblr should answer questions or post submissions every Tuesday and Thursday; this does not count as an “update” as mentioned in point 8.

10. It is encouraged that employee’s occasionally mention and promote the restaurant (always tagging the restaurant when appropriate) on any social media website they have.

11. If any entertainer who is currently associated with the restaurant is mentioned in a status/tweet/post by an employee, the restaurant must be mentioned as well.

12. If an entertainer’s work is mentioned, it should be mentioned where it is available for sale (the restaurant)

Social Media Manager:

A creative person who is passionate and knowledgeable about music; must also have interest in food. Primarily, this job will include providing information about the bands that our restaurant will be featuring as well as general knowledge about the restaurant’s other services as well as promoting specific events. It should be  focused on marketing and getting the name out there while always looking for more ways to generate interest in our restaurant. Individual should be:

  • responsible
  • organized
  • thorough
  • tech-savvy
  • innovative

Experience in:

  • blogging
  • marketing/advertising
  • experience with web designing
  • music/entertainment
  • networking
  • managing a band
  • event coordinating/planning
  • public relations

Vision:

To be hospitable and to provide live entertainment and promote local bands. To have a receptive atmosphere for start up bands, to provide food while we are doing it. Quality food and entertainment. The blog would focus on showcasing information on bands, and the types of food we provide while personal reviews, stories and comments from customers would be posted.

What is Social Media

I’ve never actually taken the time to think of how I define Social Media. I sort of just think of a bunch of websites; Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, and Myspace. I usually just think of any websites that encourage socializing between individuals or groups of people.

When I looked up the definition for “Media” it is stated that it is any means of communication to the masses.

Going off of this definition, I would say that the internet as a whole is social media instead of the few websites that I listed above. I

would define social media as anything that allows mass amounts of people to interact and socialize with each other. Social media should have the ability to reach thousands of people across the world.

Facebook and Myspace are good examples. A person can meet old friends but they can also access all kinds of other people in the world. Depending on the privacy settings, anyone can be updated to someone’s life. Obviously the everyday person’s updates aren’t going to be in high demand but this can be seen on popular artists/entertainers’ Facebook pages. Demi Lovato’s page would update about her concerts, her album news, and news about X-factor and it may link to other related artists or pages. In this way, different groups are getting relevant information about a multitude of things. On a personal level, it is still possible to reach a high number of people even without the public status update. In messages, a user can send a message to anyone they tag. That means though it is private, it can still reach more than a few people. Myspace is somewhat the same, or at least it used to be. I’m not sure what it’s like now but I know a lot of up and coming people still use it for their respective careers. I think it has become a website used for networking and collaborating. A lot of artists showcase their new songs on their pages/profiles though they may be unknown. They use the website with the hopes that their name will reach potential fans/customers.

Perhaps the best examples (that I know of) are Twitter and Tumblr. While Facebook and Myspace are primarily used for friends or people who already have some sort of established relationship, Twitter and Tumblr builds relationships between strangers. It’s almost odd that Twitter uses the least amount of words but it is probably the number 1 “Social media” website. Strangers update about trivial things but they can also share pictures, music, links, practically anything with their followers. Information is spread so incredibly fast through Twitter. Tumblr is actually pretty fast as well but it doesn’t seem as widespread with regard to users. But what it lacks in popularity, it makes up with full body texts and more in-depth information.

Basically, social media is anything that allows communication and the spreading of information between thousands, even millions of people. I think that while a blog can potentially spread information, it depends on the interface and the way the blog is used and set up. It has the potential to be social media but I wouldn’t necessarily call all blogs social media. I only say this because not every blog opens up  room for conversation and communication. If it’s a one-way flow of information, I don’t think it counts. It definitely fits the definition of “media” but to be considered “Social media” I think blogs would need more mutual interaction.

Annotated Bib 5

Sugars, Brad. “10 Tips for a Strong Start” Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur Media, Inc. Feb. 10, 2010. Web. Mar. 30, 2014. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/204982

10 Tips for a Strong Start is useful because it describes what businesses need to succeed. It is important to know basic things about business before focusing on why businesses should use blogs. This article details small things that all businesses should do. It also gives examples; one of the tips is to focus on sales and marketing and it goes into a little detail on what you should do and why you should do it. By using this article, I can further emphasize the importance of blogging. By learning things that businesses were already doing before blogging and the internet, it will be easier to imagine a business with a blog.

4th Annotated Bib

Emerson, F. Melissa. “Blogging to Build Your Business” New York Times. New York Times Company. Jun 22, 2012. Web. Mar 20, 2014. <http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/blogging-to-build-your-business/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0>

This article provides insight from a professional blogger. It’s a general how-to article with real life examples and personal opinions from someone who has already been successful at blogging. He explains how he personally became popular and successful and then goes on to offer tips and suggestions. This article is useful because it pays particular attention to the social aspect of blogging- the importance of viewers and the importance of establishing a community with other bloggers.