Blog Credibility

Sony Xperia Product Blog (Source: http://blogs.sonymobile.com/products/ 2012)

As I have discussed previously in the blog post about blogosphere, the trend of blogging has moved from personal interest sharing to the business field. Porterfield (2011) supports that blogging is effective in creating more exposure and awareness towards potential customers while developing business gradually. From this view, the credibility of the blogs is one of the key points to influence the success of the blog.

According to Kang (2009: p.20-22), readers judge the credibility of blogs through few factors such as the reputation of the blogger, the content (fairness, accuracy, knowledgeable and consistent) and the design of the blog (first impression) as well.  

Azzolini (2012) has imparted tips for bloggers to make their blogs credible:

1   - Organize the contents through editorial calendar and weekly meetings with           contents creators in order to safeguard the standard and quality of the content.    

2  - Update the blog frequently and regularly, at least 3 days per week to fulfill the demands of customers and to build their reliability towards company’s news and information.

3  -  Develop relationship and interactions with customers by joining their conversation such as commenting and replying their enquiries, which is to increase their engagement in communication with the business.

4  - Make changes in the blog to prevent customers from feeling dull and boring while surfing the blog, and also to increase their attraction.  

References:

Azzolini, S 2012, ‘Building Credibility with Online Communities: Tips from Professional News Room’, PR Newswire, last viewed 29 September 2012, <http://blog.prnewswire.com/2012/03/01/building-credibility-with-online-communities-tips-from-professional-news-rooms/>

Kang, M. J. 2009, ‘Measuring Social Media Credibility: A Study on a Measure of Blog Credibility’, Institute for Public Relations, pp. 1- 31

Porterfield, A 2011, ’10 Top Business Blogs and Why are They Successful’, Social Media Examiner, last viewed 29 September 2012, <http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/10-top-business-blogs-and-why-they-are-successful/>

 

Differences between Print and Screen Designs

Document design is the ‘physical appearance’ presented to the audiences in a document (Reep, 2006: p. 134). The wise use of words and images are the current trend of document design. ( Kress and van Leeuwen 1998: p. 187). Nielsen (1999) has differed print and screen design into four aspects: dimensionality; navigation; response time, resolution and canvas size; and multimedia, interactivity and overlays. I will be applying these factors into examples below:

Group Presentation Slide: Print Document (Newspaper)

Dimensionality: 2-dimensional, focusing on physical appearance.

Navigation in print document of the readers is only to turn the pages.

Response Time: No waiting time needed for the content to appear.

Resolution of the images placed on the document is often sharp and clear as it is controlled by the editor.

Canvas Size: The space for the contents is fixed and the entire content is shown.  

Multimedia: Only graphic aids could be used in print document.

Interactivity and Overlays: No interactions between the readers and images however image overlays could be used.

Screen Documents (taken from 'Chapter 6: The meaning of Composition', Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design by Kress and van Leeuwen

Dimensionality: Usually 1-dimensional or N-dimensional, users are able to scroll the webpage.

Navigation: Readers are able to scroll the pages.

Response Time: Waiting time for the content is different for all users, based on their internet speed, computer processor, size of the content.

Resolution of the images could not be controlled as the readers’ computer specifications are unexpected.

Canvas Size: Unlimited.

Multimedia: Different medium such as audio and video are presentable.

Interactivity and Overlays: Image overlays could be used and the interaction with users can be created due to the flexibility of screen documents.

(245 words)

References: 
Kress, Gunther and van Leeuwen, Theo 1998, ‘Front pages: (the critical) analysis of newspaper layout’, Approaches to media discourse, Blackwell, Oxford, p. 186-219.

Nielsen, J 1999, ‘Differences Between Print Design and Web Design’, last viewed 15 September 2012, < http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html>

Reep, Diana C. 2006, ‘Chp 4: Principles of Document Design,’ Technical Writing, 6th ed., Pearson Edu, Inc., New York, p.173-190.

Classification of Blogs

Blogging has strongly impacted people of the world to provide them an approach to share their life and thoughts personally, financially and professionally (Winn, 2008). Simons (2008) has categorized blogs into nine, which are pamphleteering, digest, advocacy, popular mechanics, exhibition, gatewatcher, diary, advertisement and news. I have chosen four groups which I personally prefer to introduce.

1.      Pamphleteering Blogs

It is basically blogs which emphasize on discussing current issues and comment on them with their personal views.

(Source: http://gomalaysian.blogspot.com/ 2012)

2.     Digest Blogs

Bloggers in this category like to share their reviews such as after using some products or going some restaurants. 

(Source: http://evelync28.blogspot.com/2012/04/review-on-korean-skin-care-make-up.html 2012)

The blog above is mainly a review after using skin food products.

3.      Popular Mechanics Blogs

This kind of blogs used to be teaching their audiences their professionals on different aspects by using tutorials in audio or video. This is Xiaxue, Singapore most famous blogger teaching her readers how to get a slimmer face.

(Source: http://xiaxue.blogspot.com/2011/04/video-tutorial-camwhoring-pictures.html 2011)

4.      News Blogs

As the name implies, news blog is mainly discussing current issues happening throughout the world. 

(Source: http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.com/ 2012)

This blog translates news in Japan into English for people who concern for Japan.

Comparing pamphleteering and news blog, I prefer to read news blog as the stories published are more accurate and neutral as bloggers of pamphleteering blogs are tend to be criticizing news which they do not agree with. Additionally, their writing style and word used are informal and sometimes not appropriate.
Keller (1994) agreed that words can manipulate the readers’ thoughts and views.

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References:
Keller, P 1994, 'Critical Writing', Central New Mexico Community College, last viewed 15 September 2012, <http://www.cnm.edu/depts/ace/res/AccuPlacer_English/131-Critical_Reading-C.pdf>

Simons, M 2008, 'Towards a Taxomony of Blogs', Commentary- Australian Policy Online, last viewed 15 September 2012, <http://apo.org.au/commentary/towards-taxonomy-blogs-0>

Winn, P 2009, 'Introduction: State of the Blogosphere 2008', Technorati, last viewed 15 September 2012, <http://technorati.com/social-media/article/state-of-the-blogosphere-introduction/>