Top Blogs, Top Blogging – Take a Tour

Writing a blog that continually receives a high number of viewers requires consistently publishing posts that are read and spread through the Internet by the readers.

Top blogs all provide the same core tenets of top journalism – news worthiness, excellent writing, useful information and human interest.

As you will see the top blog sites have grown into aggregation sites focused around themes that are of interest to the blogger.  Aggregation is a way for the blogger to share a world with their readers beyond their own writing.

Settle back and let’s take a tour of the top blog sites, according to most viewed statistics. And, the worst blog site will also get a high viewer rating – once – and remain on the top worst blogs list.

The best journalism blog posts during of 2008 according to Christopher Wink.

The 2008/2009 winners of the ‘Top 10 blogs for writers‘.

Top blogs according to viewer stats by top blog aggregation sites:
Bloglines –  http://www.bloglines.com/topblogs
Technorati –http://technorati.com/pop/blogs/
Blogs On Top – BOT – http://www.blogsontop.com/
WordPress – http://botd.wordpress.com/
Top 100 Bloggers – http://www.top100bloggers.com/
Wikio – http://www.wikio.com/blogs/top
Fimoculous – 30 Most Notable Blogs of 2008
http://www.fimoculous.com/archive/post-5554.cfm

Guardian – And the most powerful blogs accoring to the Guardian – http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/09/blogs

Blogging 101.5

Loved your blog!
I haven’t read your blog.
Blogs are electronic black holes.

Successful blogging is the result of intention.

Do you write for yourself, not caring if anyone reads your blog?
Answer no.
Do you blog when you feel like it, about whatever?
Answer no.
When you look at the readership logs, do you cry?
Answer no.
When you read the one comment, do you sigh?
Answer no.

Do you have a best time to blog, periodically?
Answer yes.
Do you stick to that schedule?
Answer yes.
Do you keep on theme?
Answer yes.
Do you think about your blog and look forward to your blog writing?
Answer yes.
Do you spread the word about your blogging to all friends, family and associates?
Answer yes.

That was easy!

Intention and Shame

On Sunday nights I read all the blogs on the Puma Press Blog site, write my blog,  and make changes to the highlights on the main web page.

This Sunday night I find only eight of 17 blogs have new posts.

I was speaking with a friend on the phone today about my attempts to teach children chess and how to sit quietly and think during lectures and while playing. It is like herding ants. I suggested to him that this week I would try to shame them to come to attention, stop interrupting me and each other.

He reminded me that in order to feel shame the children will have to feel guilt.

Well now.

In order to feel guilt the children will have to to have a conscience with a frame of reference that places value on sitting quietly and thinking.

After two years of coaching elementary chess clubs in after-school programs to groups of 10 to 25 children I am at a point of rethinking the entire job.

I have been trying to teach them to stop talking, stop moving, and start thinking – even for a fraction of a minute. Only five out of 100 students can sit quietly for up to one minute and think.

What does all this have to do with journalism and blogging?

Well, as editor of the Puma Press Blogs, I have attempted to motivate 17 bloggers to add to their blogs at least once each week. The journalism department also has been asking for everyone to add to their blog at least once per week.  I have suggested that everyone read all the blogs, leave some comments, and broadcast the blog URL to their email correspondence list.

So, is there a common thread between motivating children who do not think and bloggers that do not blog?

Without intention blogs do not get written. Without intention children are controlled by the habits of their little bodies.

Perhaps a key is in the future.

When chess is played well, players are visualizing the future more clearly. Players that make better choices see their intentions realized. One of the joys of playing chess well is looking in to a larger future.

When blogging regularly, periodically, a writer can manipulate time and enjoy projecting the present into the future, and bringing possibilities of the future back into the present.

Reticent bloggers and wiggly children need a thump from the future.

Society of Professional Journalists – Apr. 3-4

The Society of Professional Journalists Region 11 Conference, takes place April 3 and 4, 2009,  at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, ASU, Phoenix.  http://www.spjchapters.org/arizona

This conference for student and professional journalists serves various purposes:

• Regional business meeting for SPJ Region 11 delegates
• Multi-media boot camp
• Learning sessions for student
• Keynote presentation
• Discussions and panels to delve into the details of a fast changing profession
• Award ceremonies
• Social activities

Friday – April 3

• MIDDAY – Multimedia boot camp
• AFTERNOON – Resume critiques for students
• LATE AFTERNOON – Regional chapter meeting
• EVENING – Reception at Clarendon Hotel

Saturday – April 4

• MORNING – Opening keynote session:  “The Future, What is it?”
  Dan Gillmor, Andrew Donohue, Catherine Rouke, Chris Coppola
• MID MORNING – Breakout sessions covering most aspects of journalism
• LUNCH – Arizona FOI Awards
• AFTERNOON – Breakout sessions all afternoon
• LATE AFTERNOON – Mark of Excellent Awards reception
• EVENING – Saturday night party at Henry’s

Student registration cost at door is $75. The cost of lower with preregistration. Various events require additional payment. See web site for details. http://www.spjchapters.org/arizona