The Third Blog - Often Times the Keeper

What I mean by "keeper" is that the third blog is often time the one that lets readers know they should be following along - that what this blogger has to offer is worth reading. Good writing that is easy to understand and follow, and a subject matter that is of interest. This is (often times) easier said than done. There are so many topics that have been covered so much so that people are tired of hearing about them - like COVID-19 and vaccinations. Yes, the media have a social responsibility (and ethical obligation) to keep covering the issue, sharing updates with the public. But that same responsibility (and the courtesy to be read it/tolerate it) doesn't extend to bloggers. The blog author has to strategically keep in mind what their "target population" is going to want to see/read. Hence your "Understanding Your Audience" exercise, which was designed to challenge you into thinking about the diverse characteristics of your prospective audience (for any media message/writing endeavor). As many of you may (or may not) have discerned from feedback following your first two blogposts - it is important that you provide new and informative content. It is also a good strategy to include interactive links to credible sources and other blogs; this in order to establish yourself as an "expert" of sorts, someone that does their homework and is knowledgeable on a variety of topics.
This awareness is one reason why I shared The Fourth Turning as one of my favorite books for this blog profile. The book authors, Howe and Strauss, propose a generational theory that might be useful in understanding audiences. The youngest cluster of college students we are seeing are the first from Generation Z to reach higher education; a generation that has been taught with a smartphone in their left hand. A mobile device has assisted them in much of their information acquisition, and they rarely turn elsewhere for answers...it is just "too convenient" - like the "easy button" most all of my students want to know about (Where is it, Dr. Hedrick? I can use it for all of my assignments, right?).

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