12/22/2009 - Meta-Blog
Blogging
Instead of writing this week about the grant application that's been passed back and forth here between a few people for too long now, OJT procedures or even the DOL's Review Guide for National Emergency Grants and Disaster Projects (which I've been reading this week since we have 8 active National Emergency Grants, one more about to be granted and an application for another in the process of going out), I'm going to write a brief discussion on blogging, my blog and interesting workforce development blogs.
Effective Blogging: There are many, many places on the web to find information about "effective blogging" - just click on that link (or try typing "effective blogging", 'effective blog", "blogging tips", etc. into your favorite search engine). Boiled down: focus on a creative, attention-grabbing title; write well in your own voice; use meaningful pictures or graphics; and, keep the purpose of the blog in mind. Honestly, this strikes me as fantastic advice for someone learning to write his or her first persuasive paper, still effective advice for someone writing a blog in an early "Web 2.0" meme and of uncertain usefulness as we look forward (to Web Squared?). Still, it's what we have at the moment. Surprisingly, given the relatively simple advice readily available there are many blogs out there that aren't good.
My blog: Since I discovered that keeping up the blog was my job, I've been trying to write something here once a week. Considering that this blog is titled Field Notes I generally write about what I've done when I'm out in the field or at a conference. Unless, of course, I don't leave the office that week. Then I try to write about what I'm working on, news related to workforce development in rural Oregon or other news related to WIA. I also try to take advantage of the "web" by hyper-linking nearly every noun so that readers may pursue more information about a subject as they wish.
Improving my blog: While I'll recuse myself from making a judgment about the quality of my blog due to personal involvement, I will admit that there is room for improvement.
- Title: OK, I'll work on creative titles. I haven't been doing a very good job, yet. Perhaps, in the future, I'll use an amusing turn-of-phrase, pun or double-entendre.
- Write well in own voice: This is my writing voice. Not really all that different from my speech patterns except I tend to drop "I'm" or "It's" at the beginning of sentences while writing ("Going to the store." rather than "I'm going to the store."). Am I writing well? Sure, I'm a great writer! (Please don't contact any of my undergraduate professors and ask them about my writing.)
- Pictures and Graphics: I think all blogs (and powerpoints) are significantly better if a relevant illustration is used instead of text or with minimal text. The hard part is finding something relevant and useful. I'm not, for instance, going to include a picture here of someone writing at the computer to illustrate blogging.
- The Purpose of the Blog: The purpose of this blog is twofold. First, it is intended to further the public's understanding of workforce development processes and issues in rural Oregon. Secondly, it is intended to inform that same public about TOC/OWA's activities and role in workforce development in a semi-professional/semi-casual venue. I'll try to keep that in mind. Clearly I veered off-course this week. I'm also trying to avoid simply cheerleading for TOC/OWA; when people tout their own organizations it seems less informative than self-serving even when true and justified. It's a difficult line to find and walk.
Other Workforce Development Blogs: I've found a few workforce development blogs that I think are interesting and informative.
- Workforce Developments by a consultant in California, who spent 15 years in the workforce development field. Some interesting discussion and insights. Probably my favorite. This blog is why I started to think about effective blogging.
- Employment Specialist by an Employment Specialist in Portland, Oregon. Appears to be from the viewpoint of someone working directly with WIA participants who is trying to get and keep the participants motivated and informed.
- Working in Maine by workforce development professionals in Maine. Informative with some opinion.
- Worksystems Blog written by Tricia for Worksystems, Inc. in Portland, Oregon. OK. I included it mostly because it's local and updated regularly. But it frequently falls on the "cheerleading" side of the line (which, of course, may be the purpose of the blog).
- Monty