Real Blogging : Michael Turton - The View from Taiwan

Since I already nominated him for Bloggies, might as well go all the way. I don’t think Michael’s aware of this, but almost every western international student I’ve talked to in NCKU knows his blog, and quite a few of them follow the blog religiously. When I tell them that Michael actually studies with us in the same building, sometimes the same courses, people refuse to believe me.

Anyways, what I wanted to mention is that Michael’s been giving talks about Taiwan blogging that he briefly mentioned in his blog. I was looking to see some feedback from students attending that talk, maybe get a video or a transcript, but was kind’o disappointed that nothing came up. There was this one mention in Scott’s blog, and a brief Taoyuan-nights entry, but nothing else, till today.

I got an email from a fellow student I talked to about Michael referring me to two blog posts about what was going on in Michael’s speech. I’m mentioning this here because I think this is an interesting insight into some of what Michael has to say about our blogging niche and what true blogging is all about.

Here’s from “Internet Journalism - Speech from Michael Turton in MCU”

“Taiwan is discussed in the world media, and I want to change the way to let people know more about Taiwan.” Turton said.
Taiwan is a globalization country, its promoting to the worldwide is necessary.
Blogging is about building community, he stated.
The blogs just like a neighborhood, people can links to each other and comment on different articles.
Users can promote the good work of other people and related events and activities.
Blog owners can also do the daily reviews from blog systems. [...]

He browses a large amount of blogs from other people everyday,
in the same time; he gets feedback from his readers.
Owing to the countless readers of Turton’s, he ought to press new articles from time to time.
“Because I have a lot of readers, so it’s a pleasure for me to write my blog for them.” He said.

In brief, the bolded text summarized what - I think - problogging or professional blogging is essentially about. It’s not about money making. It’s great that they take pleasure in communicating with readers and visitors to promote their message to the world while building a community network with others interested in or doing the same thing.

Here’s from “Internet Journalism” one post blog :

The purpose of building his blog is for marketing, changing the world, raise taiwan profile around the world and to faster a taiwan blog community. He also said that Taiwan will be saved if it globalized since Taiwan now have a major problem with china and so if taiwan was known by the world, it will supported from being want to indepent from china and so it saved. [...]

Aside from his purpose of building his blog, he also mentioned that he had his personal goals which lead him to build up his blog. It is to change the way Taiwan is discussed in the world media. He also mentioned that working on a blog need lots of time and energy and he can sit infront of his computer on his butt for the whole day working on his blog. He said that working throughout the blog is based on building links like link to others, comment on the blogs, do daily links posts, promote the good work of other people, promote related events and activities, be useful, technorati, change habits like to find ways to get people like your blog. He said he did that by posting good links like Taiwan hot-springs and the whole landscape of taiwan, the people and activities of taiwan which may lead people interest in the pictures. Aside from those pictures, he also put some political news and other good links. these may attach peoples attention and being wanting to explore the whole blog. But he like most is to promote related recent events and activities in taiwan like new year celebrations with fireworks.

On the contents, he’s working based on content-driven which includes knowing what you are talking about, new content up everyday, stick with a predictable theme or focus, keep yourself out, plenty of visuals, narrow the focus, know your audience, know who are the people that you want to influence, rip up the media, talking and teaching people.

Finally, he concluded with ” You can change the way people think”.

Great stuff, and I personally think it’s a great success. Michael - I’d love to attend the next one you’re giving. The girl’s summary :

Though Turton is an American from overseas, he knows much more than the Taiwanese, and even being a guide to local people. he is admirable.

Turton not only gave us a tuition, but also gifted me a spiritual lesson which planted inside my mind.
I more love my country now

Michael - you inspire people. That’s what blogging is about! Never stop.