Oct 26
I stated in previous posts both here and on The Daily Slackr, that blogs are extremely versatile and probably the most versatile of the blogging types. Using a free blogging tool like Wordpress or Blogger is helpful for those entering into the blogosphere, and provide an easy “in” for even the most basic of newcomers. Still, for those more advanced, blogging can be a tool that is fully customizable to suit the needs of the writer. No matter where you stand on the scale, a blog can become drab and perhaps dull for the reader.
What do you do? Well there are various tools that you can incorporate; something unique about the written blog is that it is the only true format where all other tools can be incorporated. This post will discuss options for your blog, ways to communicate to your readers who you are and what you are interested in, and perhaps even build a stronger community because of it.
Adding Audio
Audio is probably the easiest and most easily accessible tool you can integrate into your site. Amidst the the textual posts that will fill up your site, audio will break up the monotony and put a direct voice to your ideas and opinions. Most applications that offer audio integration will utilize their own players for users to play your message as opposed to the writer having to know any complicated code.
I personally use an application called Utterli, which is an audio blogging tool that can remain stationary on the Utterli site, under your profile name, or directed to your site. Pretty amazing huh? Well setting up a profile is harmless and quick, and afterwards you are provided with a phone number to call to record your message. As far as I know there is no limit on the length of your message, but I would not use this tool if you want to leave a half hour message. But for quick updates on your status, locations, ideas and thoughts you can use Utterli to capture these on the fly while your away from a computer. The recording will post directly to your blog for others to listen to, and comments can still be left. Afterwards if you choose to develop your recording into a written post you can.
I will be participating in NaPodPoMo (National Podcasting Post Month), and have decided to use Utterli to integrate quick 1 Minute tips into my current site. See what you can do with an audio recording and see if it adds a special something to your site.
Video Puts a Face to the Writing
Video is something that a lot of people fear and for the silliest of reasons. Being a media maven in the blogosphere, it’s not out of character to experiment with the uses of the different tools that the Web 2.0 world offers you. With quick recording sites like 12seconds, and Seesmic, users can record themselves and their messages with the use of their on cameras. These recording will also sit on the site, but can be directed to your blog for all to see.
I personally would love to get into video posting for my own site, but lack camera recording equipment hampers me. But don’t think you need production quality equipment, a solid camera phone would work as would a small digital camera. Whatever you use, make sure people can see you, hear you, and be ready for amazing feedback. For the few that I have known that have put video on their site, it was an interesting boost in the community’s involvement because now they could put a face to the writer they had been following for so long.
Video can add an interesting dynamic that would otherwise be impossible to recreate. Photos are great, audio is a good step in the right direction, but video can send you over the top. Give it a try and see what kind of reception you receive.
Badges Builds a Personality
Okay, so these tools can be a bit frivolous, but the right “badges” can really paint you, the writer, in a more full light. What are badges? Badges are the small apps that you will find on blogs that share Facebook profiles, Meetup Information, and other similar information. Most sites offer what they call badges so that users can inform their readers, friends, and family members of what they are interested in and where they can be found. If you run a professional blog, even LinkedIn offers a badge for people to to connect professionally.
On my site for example you will find a badge for my Podcasting & New Media Meetup Group, LinkedIn Profile, and Blog Catalog following. These tools provide information for my readers that I would not otherwise share in a blog post. These badges can be as big or small, as prominent or obscure, and as flashy as you want them to be. By sharing this information you promote you interests and may even introduce others to a whole new world of knowledge.
Blogs are the billboards of your online persona. You share your thoughts, your interests, and a bit about who you are as a person, why not make it interesting. You could go even further and integrate your Twitter and FriendFeed accounts to your blogs so that people can follow your daily rants and musings. With the explosion of social networks, there seems to be no limits as to what to integrate, just make sure you are wary of overloading your readers. If something works, don’t break it, if it’s broken already, what have you got to lose?
Photo Credit ZakQ100, Ben Thomas Photo
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Vlog has certainly gone mainstream with a lot of the big bloggers using it, however audio blogging has yet to catch on. I can see a usage there for “live” blogging – gaping is easier than typing
especially for those “typing” challenged crowd 
I agree completely with vlogging taking the lead in terms of usage. I’ve never been one for being in front of a camera, but audio is easier for me because it’s so easy to do. I don’t have to carry around a camera of any size, my cell phone will record my audio and post it to my blog in an instant.
Some setting will even let you post your audio recording to multiple places, making your audio recording that much more important. I definitely recommend giving it a try, and yes, audio for live blogging is easy, I’ve done it, though it depends on the background noise.
My last blog post is..Media Minute