9-1 Blog: Multimedia Tools

Another interesting blog assignment this week, and a very important one for bloggers and journalists alike.
Our task: How does multimedia enhance our messaging? Are certain multimedia techniques more effective than others? Provide examples using multimedia tools and post the links to the blog to support your thinking.

Adding multimedia to a blog or article can significantly enhance its effectiveness and how the story connects with the reader. As Zachary Snideman puts it, "A website without multimedia is like a cupcake without icing: Functional but lacking," (Sniderman 2010). I couldn't agree more. You can still get your point across, but why not add some frosting to hammer it home? 

Multimedia such as photos, video, audio, and graphs, can have a tremendous impact on readers, especially those who learn more efficiently with visual tools. For example, when talking about the power and enormous reach social media has, I could simply write that social media is now the number 1 activity on the web! Or I could tell you that 14.4 million people used social media last year to find a job, and that one million new blogs come online every month, (social media Revolution 2014). But, these numbers and dramatic stats may come across more clearly and pronounced in a fast paced graphical video. See below! 

   

I also enjoy when bloggers and writers utilize audio and podcasts to covey and disseminate information. These can easily be embedded into blogs to give readers additional information about topics and links to other sources. Below is an interesting podcast via SoundCloud from AskPat.com which talks about blogging, websites, and other marketing issues that could be helpful to those seeking more information on utilizing multimedia.



Last week I blogged about an L.A. Times writer and blogger who utilized multimedia brilliantly in this article about a unique antique and collectibles store in Los Angeles. The blog utilizes great photos, a photo gallery, a video, and pull quotes which could easily be shared on social media. In my opinion, this was an ideal use of multimedia in a story. The video featured an interview with the eccentric store owner, and shows many more images of his unique collectibles which really gives the reader a sense of almost visiting the store themselves. The use of video I feel is the greatest multimedia tool in regards to providing a different and often times more accurate context of a story. Video I believe is the most effective multimedia tool, but when that's not a viable option, other multimedia like audio and photographs should be utilized whenever possible.


Zachary Sniderman (2010). How to: Add multimedia to your blog. Mashable.
http://mashable.com/2010/07/28/add-multimedia-to-blog/

YouTube (2014). Sociall media 2014 revolution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYedZth9ArM

8-2 Blog: Best Practices

This week's blog assignment is another fun one for me. Our task: Choose a blog and analyze the functions and substance of the blog as a form of writing and information delivery. In your opinion, what are the “best practices” when creating a blog to ensure appropriate form, function, and substance? Provide a link when responding to classmates and post your opinion along with your rationale.

It took me no time at all to pull up a recent blog in the L.A. Times that immediately came to mind. The writer, Nita Lelyveld, is a metro feature writer for the prestigious paper. The article is titled "Nick Metropolis has a serious case of jumble fever." It's about a very unique store in Los Angeles that sells antiques and other hard to find items and collectibles. The story-telling is great, and with the addition of the multimedia, it's as if I visited Nick's place myself!

I really enjoyed and appreciate the use of multimedia via photos, a photo gallery, and a video. The blog also utilizes and uses links to sources, and pull quotes that can be tweeted. There are many visuals aspects to pull in the reader and keep you reading, learning, and watching. The blog utilizes a large picture (see below) at the top of the story (under the headline), which immediately pulls you in with an image of the iconic Hollywood sign, and plenty of other interesting pieces and on-lookers in it.

Also embedded within the story is a 14 picture photo gallery which shows other great pictures and really helps accentuate the story and its uniqueness. The best part of the blog though, is a three minute video that features an interview with the eccentric store owner in which he explains his interesting marketing techniques and sales strategy, which includes negotiations no set prices. The video really provides insights into the store and its owner, that photos and print can not provide. 

The use of all these different multimedia platforms helps tell the story and provides an emotional connection for the reader that could not of been achieved with print and a few links alone. This piece is a fantastic example of a highly effective blog in the online mass media platform.   

7-2 Blog: Paterno Press Release

Penn State Athletics Department

University Park

State College, PA 16801

Press Release

-For Immediate Release-

1/22/12

STATE COLLEGE-- Longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has died at the age of 85. Paterno passed away Sunday morning from complications with his ongoing battle with lung cancer. Penn State offers its sincerest condolences to the Paterno family, and sincerely thanks “JoPae” for all his generous dedication to our student-athletes and this community over the many years he worked at the university. His family was with him at Mount Nittany Medical Center and released a statement on his passing.

"He died as he lived," the family said. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."

Paterno started coaching at Penn State in 1950 as an assistant coach with the football team, and was named head coach in 1966. He led the team to five undefeated seasons and two national championships (1982, 1986) while head coach. In total he took the Nittany Lions to 37 Bowl Games in which they won 24. In all, Paterno and his teams collected 409 wins under his leadership. More than 250 of his players went on to play in the National Football League.

Paterno leaves behind his wife, Sue, and their five children. Information regarding a public memorial service will be released later in the week.

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Facebook post: My facebook post would be simple and straight forward. I would not try to write a creative or catchy headline in hopes of getting web hits and likes. When dealing with death and tragedy its best, and most ethical, to be straight forward and not try to capitalize on the tragedy. It's disturbing to me when news organizations use that tactic.

I would simply post the link and write, "Very sad news to report today. We are greatly saddened to pass along that coach Joe Paterno has died. Penn State offers its sincerest condolences to the Paterno family, and we thank "JoPae" for his many contributions to our university over his long tenure with us."