In my feeds this morning, a post from the P65 blog arrived. Yet another speech reproduced verbatim. I was compelled to write this comment. It’s currently under moderation, so I will reproduce it here, in case it disappears into the ether. It’s been published, and I await a response.
Hi there,
This comment goes out to all the P65 MPs.
I’ve been following this blog for a while, and I have to say that I am disappointed.
A blog is a very different medium as compared to print. Arguably, it is different from a plain-vanilla website, which has limited scope for interactivity.
Blogging is not about reproducing your speeches verbatim. Your time is precious. So too, is your readers’ time. Yes, you can (and should) archive your speeches.
I urge you to go beyond this. I’m sure you are aware of NMP Siew Kum Hong’s blog. He also reproduces his speeches and questions in parliament. But he does more than that: he adds value.
He summarises his speeches. He writes about what he wants to ask and the reasons he wants to do so. He talks about what he wishes he could do better. He puts his mind on his blog.
When I read his blog, I admit I don’t read it word for word. But I am compelled to do so sometimes. He gives me reason to want to read. Most importantly, I get a sense of who he is.
Many serious bloggers comment on other blogs. This is something many bloggers advocate to get conversations going and to build a readership community. I don’t expect you to do this as you have full-time jobs and families.
Here you have a tool - the same tool as Siew Kum Hong, the same tool as any blogger - which you can leverage on. Make this blog truly yours. It says “It’s where we talk” on this blog. So, have a conversation with us. Don’t make speeches here. Bridge the affective divide.
UPDATE Just read Twenty Usability Tips for Your Blog by Tom Johnson via Lifehack.org. Good advice for anyone who’s serious about blogging.
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Good one… hope they take it well and change. Dell bloggers had to learn from their readers as well, and now they’ve so improved.
Hi Kenneth, the link highlighting tends to send me to the Lifehacker site rather than the original. Shouldn’t the title link to the entry , his name to Tom’s home page andd lifehac to the original lifehack post?
Very nice link for the museum bloggers to ponder over, thanks!@
Hello Kenneth. That was an excellent and incisive comment - do let all of us know how they reacted!
@ Otterman Yup, that’s much better. Made the changes you suggested. Thanks! Maybe should highlight the link on the FoYers mailing list?
@ anonymousnoises Thus far, MP Hri Kumar has not replied to my comment. However, he responded to a few comments on his post.
MP Teo Ser Luck might have taken my comment to heart. He gives a personal account of why he supports the increase. He’s taken the lead. May more insightful posts follow. =)