blogging as social networking (iaml uk/irl seminar, may 2013)

Blogging as social networking? Opportunities and challenges of MusiCB3, May 2013Clemens Gresser

Pendlebury Library of Music & Music Dept., Cambridge University Library

Social Media?

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

Foursquare

….

Share

Comment

CommentComment

Connections & building

communities

Using blogs as social media?

Web page

often very static, linear and one-directionally structured

Blog

can be interactive, dynamic and stimulate interest (share, interact, connect)

Using blogs as social media?

Web page

perception that it “has to be studied in total” / clear pathways

Blog

encourages reading “bits” via blog tags or in chunks (months), or via “cross-references”

Using blogs as social media?

Web page

Currency of information sometimes not explicitly stated, or not emphasised

Blog

Dated posts ; (we)b log ; comments dated and time-sensitive → communication

Using blogs as social media?

Web page

Broadcast information ; web content is not open for debate

Blog

Share information and thoughts ; reader's thoughts welcome and encouraged through “comment” option

MusiCB 3 – identity, creating a connection

MusiCB 3 – identity, creating a connection

MusiCB3 – structure

First post: 8 Sept 2010

Frequency: 1 post per week (Fridays at 8:45!)

'Broadcast': via Facebook and Twitter

MusiCB3 – the “story” so far … cont.

Posts: 135 posts

Bloggers: 8 core bloggers (124 posts) plus

9x 1-timers & 1x 2-timer (11 posts)

MusiCB3 – the “story” so far … cont.

134 posts by core bloggers:

Bloggers A-D = 106 posts

Disclaimers about number of posts

Bloggers E, F, G, H:

Volunteer, contractor...

1 Blogger 'only' started working with us

in July 2013

1 Blogger 'only' started blogging in May 2012.

MusiCB3 – as social medium, connecting as team

- sharing information, experiences and news amongst our teams in two libraries

MusiCB3 – connecting as team

Music Pilot = Cambridge University Library & Pendlebury Library of Music working together

staff working across both libraries to provide services and advice

MusiCB3 – blogging together & connecting collections

Some posts point to holdings at both libraries

System of serialist posting

Principle: no post until each other core blogger has post published, but...

sometimes no inspiration/idea for blog post

“being busy” means lack of time

time-sensitive posts need to be published on specific dates

Still relatively good mix

Series & major themes in MusiCB3

Exhibitions

(15 posts, 6 bloggers)

Anniversaries

(10 posts, 4 bloggers)

Bygone concert venues

(7 posts, Susi Woodhouse)

Series & major themes in MusiCB3 – cont.

Deryck Cooke Archive

(5x Mark Doran plus 1)

Cambridge collectors

(4 posts/3 bloggers; tie-in with CUL exhibition)

Impact, reach, and connecting

Total 'views': 31,219 views, but 'views' search result display!

Subscribers/followers: 42 people, but: only 23 email followers ; 3 MusiCB3 bloggers.

Comments: 141 comments, but 35 by MusiCB3 bloggers

Comments = social media & connecting?

Title of post

Use of Naxos versus CD borrowing at the Pendlebury

ONLs are not everyone’s cup of tea

Cambridge, oh musical city

Number of comments

8

8

7

Comments = social media & connecting?

Title of post

Bygone concert venues no. 1: Exeter Hall

To celebrate, to commemorate : Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

'Turning over an old leaf...'

Number of comments

5

4

4

Comments = social media & connecting?

Title of post

Composer anniversaries for 2012

A Librarian needs your help

To celebrate, to commemorate : Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Number of comments

4

4

3

Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

Facebook and promoting posts

And your overdue fine will be, publ. 12/4/13

Impact, reach, and connecting – via Facebook

“Total Reach” on Facebook for the 'Overdue' post = 430 people

Normally: 30-60 people

seen “share” of MusiCB3 post.

Another popular post...

…. another popular one...

Enticing readers

Enticing readers...

Enticing readers...

How to promote a Blog?

Promote via Facebook

How to promote a Blog?

Promote via your emails:

Add a link and tag line to email signature file

Do's and Don'ts

DO:

Aim for diverse range of topics

Mix “high” with “low” brow

Don't

Get dismayed about “low” impact

Focus on 1 measure for success

Do's and Don'ts

DO:

Post about services & “mundane”

Use Facebook & Twitter to share posts

DON'T

Shy away from “newsy” posts

Be unrealistic about social media use for academic needs

Do's and Don'ts

DO:

Plan publishing on day when you have time to monitor comments

See Comments as opportunities to engage

DON'T

See blogging as simply 'broadcasting'

Rush commenting or promotion of posts – it shows!

Do's and Don'ts

DO:

Regard promotion of posts as integral part of blogging

Experiment and try things

DON'T

Be cynical about social media; you might miss out on a chance to connect with some readers

Questions?

Now, later or via cg474@cam.ac.uk