Types of Blogs
Some blogs exist to promote civic engagement around an issue of concern.
Many shed light on local issues that would otherwise fall through the cracks.
They stimulate and enrich public discussions about everything from the tax rate to bike lanes.
The best of these, in my view, are fact based and have a lot in common with journalism.
Nonetheless, opinion and interpretation can be both valuable and interesting.
Community outreach is key to the success of these blogs.
National issues are also fair game, but the competition is steeper, and the way forward is often less clear.
However knowledgeable you may be about the subject of your blog, writing about it for an audience will make you more so.
Engagement
Since the goal is engagement, your hope is for a lively comments section, or perhaps letters to the editor (emails to you) that you can fashion into blog posts. "This week, we heard from a reader who...."Blogger is a great place to park your content, but you need to find some way to share it, perhaps on social media.
Community listservs and news sites may also be good sharing media, for local issues.
A well-written civic blog can be enormously helpful to a community's ability to understand and come to grips with problems and choices before it.
They do real good in the world.
Handling controversy
Such blogs need clear writing and a careful touch, especially if there is controversy. |
| Harness conflict and controversy |
If you make mistakes, correct them promptly.
Controversy is good
You may have to deal with argumentative comments and personalities.(Or not: ban them if you like! It's your blog.)
The good news is this: controversy, articulated respectfully, is good! It focuses discussion and attracts attention.
There is no better way to broaden understanding of an issue. Your fiercest critics may be your most reliable commenters.
Good luck with your civic blog! if you go that route.
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