Assignments

Over the last couple weeks in Blogging for Journalism we have had two guest speakers. First was Dr. Kurt Hochenauer who started blogging in 2004. His background is filled with experience in journalism. His blog Okie Funk is where he rants about politics and can share his liberal views. In class I asked what was it that kept him going? He responded by saying, "I write now for people to read later." During this presidential election many will be able to go back and read and get different points of view. He also made it a point to be the one to speak out and be a leader for Oklahoma so others may speak out too.

Dr. Kurt Hochenauer

The second guest speaker we had was Mr. Dave Rhea. Dave is a social media blogger and is the editor of the Journal Record, the statewide daily business-focused media company in Oklahoma City. Dave gave some great advice for us amateur bloggers. One thing we have talked about with both guest speakers is the fact that everyone and their mom has a blog now. Blogging about whatever they want. Dave says that if you blog then you need to find a niche, something you are interested in to  blog about. One problem though that I see with blogging - he couldn't have addressed better by saying, "if you give everyone a microphone, you're going to have a lot of noise."

Mr. Rhea and my professor, Mr. Clark

To improve my blog, I think I definitely need to start posting more. I have found my niche - photography. The only problem with that is photography blogs are so overpopulated.. but the good thing is that it gives your clients something to look at and follow you on. Second, I need to work on my writing skills - even though my blog is mostly pictures. These two guest speakers have given us amateur bloggers a lot to think about and work on! So I'd better get to work!