Effective Blogging

I have included the title and highlights from the blog post:

Nine Signs of an Effective Blog Post

Written on 7/10/2008 at 6:00 am by Darren Rowse

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/07/10/nine-signs-of-an-effective-blog-post/ 

and applied them to the following blog post by tim@altsolarandwind.com. Here's the URL for the blog I reviewed:

http://www.altsolarandwind.com/?p=4232#respond

Darren Rowse suggests the following nine "must haves" to effective blogging.  I've interjected my comments regarding the Alternative Power blog.

1. The headline draws the reader in.

The headline is interesting but doesn't really address what the body of the blog is about.

2. A concrete detail or visual illustrates the benefit promised in the headline.

There is no visual illustration which would be helpful to those that are not familiar with PV or CSP. Maybe you don't know what PV or CSP mean either...

3. The lead expands the theme of the heading

It talks a lot about what’s going on with solar power in South Africa and sources of partial financing but doesn’t clearly expand on them.

4. The layout is clear and skim-able.

It is one big paragraph with not delineation of important sub-topics by using ALL CAPS, BOLD, underlining, OR LARGER TEXT.

5. The post covers the topic in a logical sequence.

Similar to #3 above.  All over the place with no logical sequence.  The blog talks about funding, Siemens’ interest in the CSP project, South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan, but doesn’t really tie them together in a logical manner.  There are topics for 3 or 4 blogs wrapped into this one blog.

6. The post is persuasive.

Doesn’t persuade me to do anything.  The author does not get to a point.  I’m more confused about alternative power in South Africa and because it is so far away and he’s made no social case, I don’t really care to investigate further.

7. The post is interesting to read.

No in the least.  I think (she) tries but misses the “hook” several times.

8. The post is believable.

Nope.  There are no credentials for the original post author (authors Sandy and/or Phil Smulian) and the credentials for the re-poster are not very impressive.  He sounds like an avid solar / wind power enthusiast that has collected a lot of links in resources.  I may hold onto the site just for the resources

9. The post asks for some action.

Nope.  Don’t really understand the intent of the post.  I’m not moved to do anything but maybe check out some of the resource links that are on the site.

I’d say that is 0 for 9 in the Effective Blogging category…what baseball would call a “no hitter”.

The Value of a Linked In Profile

I think that LinkedIn is an excellent tool to network with other professionals and create a site to promote your abilities and strengths for potential employers or business partners to see.  Although I'm relatively new to using the site I have had some difficulties in navigating the site.  I have had a LI profile for at least 2 or 3 years now but I have not used it to the full extent of its potential. I am currently updating to reflect my Graduate School work with regard to sustainability as well as other profile changes.  I also received a request from a classmate to network with him and when I logged in LinkedIn actually created a duplicate account because the email that my classmate sent the request to is differnt than the one I used to originally set up my account.  It was a nuisance to have to figure out how to close the dulicate account and then try to reconnect with my classmate from my other account.  I had to do a search for him that didn't take too long but if I hadn't had the issue with the duplicate account I wouldn't have to do the search in the first place.  The only downside I can see for me personally is that I have such a varied background and work history that it may be difficult for potential employers to determine what type of job I may be looking for.  I do not belong to a LI group but do have a network of about eight people.  This year I have been better about developing connections to others.  LinkedIn is the only professional networking site that I have registered with.

Purpose Driven Campaign

Many corporations as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts have developed purpose driven campaigns that are designed to help others, help the planet or make things better.  Molson-Coors in Canada has partnered with Artist Raising Consciousness (ARC) to create public service announcements type videos that are hosted by the website The Message In The Bottle to raise awareness of alcohol related accidents and death.   www.tmitb.com
Molson also helps fund a collge campus based non-profit organization called The Student Life Education Company that promotes responsible drinking especially with youth.  The benefits are that their efforts educate young college students about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol and prevent unnecessary accidents, injuries or deaths.  Since the effort is being funded by Molson it is also perceived as a corporation trying to do something good for the community.  The downside is that the public may perceive it as a way for big business, in this case the alcohol industry, to try pacify those that have issues with the use of alcohol, like MADD for example or to save face.  I have to admit I'm a little sketical.  I'd need to see some hard statistics that prove that it really is working.  The director of the Student Life Education Company said, "you don't know if it is working, you only know when it doesn't and theirs a tragedy...."  It's a tough topic for me since my father died due to complication from alcoholism so their going to have a hard time convincing me that they're doing it for the greater good.  In my mind they are doing it as a gimmick to pacify the mainstream consumers so they can continue to sell beer and reap healthy profits.