Mainstream Media Jumping on Local Blogging Bandwagon

by Matt on Aug 13, 2008 in Industry

I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Check out this story:

After a Late Start, MSM Blogs are Everywhere (MSM = mainstream media)

The article is mostly about political blogs, but let’s agree with that timeworn phrase, “all politics is local.” And that’s certainly the case when it comes to local newspapers blogging about local politics, local races, local candidates, etc.

How much are papers blogging these days? From the article:

The New York Times currently hosts more than 70 blogs, while the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has more than 29 staff-written blogs and dozens of reader blogs. The Tri-City Herald has 12, the Everett Herald has 17, The Seattle Times has 20, and The Oregonian has more than 50 blogs.

The Tri-City Herald mentioned in there is my local paper. I have a love/hate relationship with the fact that they have so many blogs: On the one hand, I view their blogs as a sort of competition for our local blogs. On the other hand, I’m glad they’re doing it because we end up getting a fair amount of news and article ideas from their blogs.

I’m curious what you think: Is it good news for a local blogger when the local newspaper is doing essentially the same thing you want to do?

Comments are open.

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August 13, 2008 | Filed Under Industry 

Comments

3 Responses to “Mainstream Media Jumping on Local Blogging Bandwagon”

  1. Marcel Feenstra on August 14th, 2008 1:43 am

    In general, it’s probably best for individual entrepreneurs not to take on competitors with lots of resources/deep pockets in a broad(ish) market, but to try and find a niche that they can dominate instead.

    However, I think you need to look more closely at what it is *exactly* that the local newspapers are offering before you can say if it’s good or bad –is it *really* “essentially the same thing”?

    If newspapers use blog software to make it easier/faster for their “traditional” journalists to report news events, you may have little to fear –they may not really be your “competitor”.

    However, if newspapers offer a platform (plus traffic) to “real” bloggers –people who might have set up their own WP blogs otherwise–, that *may* be bad news. (You may even want to consider *joining* the platform rather than taking them on directly, although that presents obvious control issues.)

    In general, as long as you can offer “something that the other guys can’t” –a unique insight/perspective/voice–, you should, in principle, be able to be successful (as long as you can build the traffic)…

  2. MiriamEllis on August 14th, 2008 11:52 am

    I agree with Marcel’s comments regarding finding a niche, and also, offering something unique.

    But, how’s this for a winning strategy? Get to know the person/persons authoring those big blogs…just think of the links/traffic you could win if they like what you’re doing :)
    Miriam

  3. Missy on August 14th, 2008 5:42 pm

    It brings visibility to local blogs in general, plus competition is always a good thing.

    It makes everyone step up their game.

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