Blogging. We’ve all heard the term ad nausum by now, and might find ourselves asking: “What does it even mean?” As aspiring journalists, we all seek ways to gain recognition for our work and methods for creative output free from limitations. This is where blogging comes in handy. It comes as an excellent tool to take control of our own reins and find a way to reach out to audiences. I found myself curious whether blogging was truly a viable option for reaching out to audiences, considering how rooted mainstream publications (like newspapers) are in our minds about what is traditionally considered media and journalism. To discover and come to a consensus I spoke with Steve Rhodes, chief editor, publisher and creator of The Beachwood Reporter.
My choice in him stemmed from a two fold reason: my impression during his in-class discussion about moving past mainstream press (his duration with the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, and his early journalism days) and his personal investment in his independent, self-publication. This held personal interest for me since I write for a blog (shameless plug here: http://www.gamergourmet.com/) and reaching for readership is the Holy Grail of any independent blogger. I was (read: am) grateful for the opportunity to speak to him, as the world of blogging is not as cut-and-dry as most would have you believe. Anyone with time, a computer, and the willingness to spout their opinion can have a blog. To build a competent, functional blog is far from simple. This is a lesson that, not only Steve Rhodes has learned, I am learning the hard way. Even if you believe you have solid ideas and topics to discuss, this doesn't guarantee you readership and an element of success. This was the perspective I kept in mind when asking Mr. Rhodes about his own experiences.
Before beginning my interview, I had to reflect on certain elements that concerned me. Numerous in-class speakers have extolled the virtues of owning and operating a blog, becoming a multifaceted "jack of all trades." Technology has rapidly become ingrained in every element of our daily lives, and instant access to the information super-highway is as difficult as taking your phone out and pressing fewer than three buttons to access its browser. Many are concerned with keeping up with this information overload, and its rapidly availability of fresh news. Conversely, I sought to just begin.
My starter questions delved into how he conducted his early operations. Specifically, how it was to transition from a traditional press background and move into cyberspace. He elaborated that his professional background "...gave me a different way to do things, in terms of blending kind of traditional media values, ethics, and perspectives with the new technology and with what the new technology slows you to do online." However, simply jumping onto the Internet was not a simple feat. Despite what traditional media had taught him, the online world was a total different beast and required a different set of skills. For a seasoned reporter such as Steve Rhodes, jumping online wasn't as easy as just getting onto a computer. The logistics to establish his blog required a new level of sophistication. Born from this was the need for collaboration between the writing world and the tech world, a relationship that is quickly becoming a necessary relationship.
Despite the initial "culture shock" to the online world's focus on new required skill sets, as well as undeterred, Steve Rhodes discovered a world where the previous rules of traditional media had no hold. As Mr. Rhodes explained, traditional press holds specific styles of writing that are not found within online realms. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to write different. I think it's awesome that we are not held to these [traditional] formulas...like people in newspapers think that it's some great skill of writing to write a lead...there's nothing inherently superior to that newspaper style of writing and in fact, in many ways, it's an inferior style of writing that's really a result of that style of technology."
It was curious to hear something of this nature, considering we spend much of our time and education attempting to mimic these styles. As he elaborated, this style of writing (AP writing) came from a significantly older, historical source designed for type that was not as flexible as we are now allotted. "What I love about the Web, is that is erases...those time and space [limitations]. You can write forever, there is no bottom of the page. At the same time, you can write something as short as you want....You could never do that in the newspaper, because let's say in the newspaper something really important that's worthy of front page happens, but you've only got four paragraphs of information. That just isn't accepted. It has to be longer. But why?....That kind of judgment is removed. I think it's so liberating."
To cut more to the core of a blog, the idea of one was less built around the idea of what is normally presented in printed press and more so around general interests. Much like the content available on the Internet, much of its information and genres is malleable per the producers interests. This is a perk to blog writing, it leaves the writer open to discuss what is on their minds or of potential interest without the bureaucracy of press. "A lot of my ideas for the website came from hanging out with my friends at the Beachwood Inn, the bar which the site is named after, and I just thought...I knew I also wanted to not just write about media and politics. I wanted to write about music, books and sports. While it may not have been the best business decision, I didn't want it [the blog] to be just me. I wanted it to be us [the staff of writers]."
Admittedly, I was somewhat surprised by Mr. Rhodes willingness to be open and candid about his tips and experiences. Though our blog subjects are drastically different, I had found it hard to communicate with many who ran their own, especially those that are nationally known. This is not at all to say I expected anything less from him, but his openness was refreshing. His background as an established writer puts him at a premium, especially considering he had enough sway to have a readership follow him to his own online publication. It is an element like this I seek in my quest to enhance my skills as a blogger.
While we discussed the blog in further detail, along with how he was able to expand his audience and staff, the subject of journalism itself came up and the current state of the industry. I found this element the most interesting, as this is ultimately the career path most aspiring journalist students seek. I questioned him on the value of joining the traditional media versus striking out on your own from the onset. We discussed how the media has become easily swayed by and hungry to cover stories assessed by political strategists, and if this creates a disillusionment for future journalists?
"When you take a job in a traditional media organization, you're going to quite often be faced with having to do a lot of bullshit....You're going to be ordered to write the story about the story three days before about there's going to be an announcement....It's very frustrating, and I guess it's kind of what you do if you want a career as a newspaper reporter until you can maybe get yourself into a position where you won't have to do that as much. But that is the liberating thing about striking out on your own...or looking for an organization that just doesn't do that [type of journalism]....It does make it less attractive.
"A lot of people when they go into, let's say into newspaper reporting, they have all this enthusiasm on all this work they want to do....You find in the newspaper world that a lot of souls are crushed like your first year out, because instead you find yourself covering the parade every Saturday at the Chamber of Commerce meeting."
By the end of our interview, I felt I had been given insight into the various paths of getting your work out. Neither road, by blogging or traditional media, is a route easily taken. Each has their weaknesses, but I was left with the impression that blogging is still an invaluable tool, especially given the amount of creative freedom afforded to the writer.
I must end by sharing his suggestion on being a good investigative reporter, "Be the kick-ass reporter, not the kiss-ass reporter."
If interested, the entire conversation is available for download here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EEUL62LW. Please note, it will require use of PowerGramo Basic, a free Skype recorder program that also replays saved conversations.
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