The facts of blog: Three times a day, five days a week
Pretty cool, huh? A picture of this post atop this post. High-tech, like. (Photo by M. Bradley)
If you’re counting at home — and literally, I just did — this marks my 102nd post in 40 days. I mention this because six weeks ago my job description underwent a major readjustment, as I’m sure many among you have noticed. And just this week two respected pros — Claude Felton, Georgia’s Hall of Fame publicist, and Kim Shreckengost, Arthur Blank’s longtime deputy — asked: “So how often do you write now?”
That in mind, I’ve decided to compile what we digital types — technically, I work in Digital at the AJC now, not Sports — call FAQs. (Frequently Asked Questions, for the newbies.) I hope these will be of some service as we move forward in this bold endeavor.
So how often do you write now?
The idea is to post three times a day, Monday through Friday, the target times being 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Obviously this is subject to change when I’m covering a live event or a night game, and in such cases I’ll try to alert you beforehand. But generally speaking, if you check back every four hours on a weekday, you should find something new. (Not to say something good, but something new.)
Mention Pynchon for max effect.
Will this change come football season?
Probably, but we’re still sorting that out. (When I say “we,” I mean Quindelda McElroy and Carolyn Warmbold, who are the brains behind the Insight/Opinion Digital group, and Mr. Schultz and myself.) Mr. Schultz and I will still go to games on Saturday/Sunday, and I’m guessing we’ll do more live-blogging from those. But don’t hold me to that just yet.
Does this mean you won’t write for the print AJC anymore?
It does not. I still write for print roughly three times a week, and the print column will always appear online as part of the ol’ blog. But my first responsibility, as Ms. McElroy says — we call her “Q,” by the way — is to serve the digital audience. That means you folks. So consider yourselves lucky or warned, depending on your slant.
So you’re not in Sports but you’re still a sports writer?
That’s correct. Our Insight/Opinion group contains folks from all walks of AJC life — from Jim Galloway, the Political Insider, to Meridith Ford Goldman, the food critic — and contains four folks charged specifically with blogging about sports: Darryl Maxie on recruiting, Junkyard Bill King, Mr. Schultz and myself.
That doesn’t mean our sports beat writers — Sekou Smith, Dave O’Brien/Carroll Rogers, Darryl Ledbetter, Chris Vivlamore, Tim Tucker, Doug Roberson and Michael Carvell — still won’t do blogs. They will. (As you’ve doubtless seen, Sekou and DOB/Carroll have been churning them out as per usual over the summer.) But they’re in the News & Information group.
Aren’t 15 posts a week an awful lot?
I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some initial hesitation on my part, and I’d be lying if I told you that, after six weeks, I’ve settled into what I’d call an ideal routine. I haven’t yet, though I’m getting closer. But the trick, I’m learning, is treat the digital world, which is a totally different animal from print, totally differently. I wouldn’t want to write 15 posts a week full of the usual Bradley column-style bloviation, and believe me, you wouldn’t want to read them. That’s why you’re seeing more of a mix.
The mix being … what exactly?
Whatever springs to mind. I’ve written a poem, sort of. I’ll try to make lists. There will always be a fairly extensive Bradley’s Buzz — a collection of links regarding local sports — on Monday mornings, but there will be more shorter Buzzes throughout the week. I’ve been doing Buzz since last August — both the name and the idea came from former AJC sports editor Ronnie Ramos, who’s now at NCAA.com — and I’ve been pleased to see there’s almost always a surplus of material.
Are there any other regularly scheduled weekly features?
So far, two. There’s something I’ve dubbed the Hot Button, which will appear Thursday mornings, and its aim is to give my answer to a burning — or, failing that, simmering — issue regarding Atlanta/Georgia sports. Installment No. 1 was, “Do the Braves need a new manager?” No. 2 was, “Why the Hawks must still draft a point guard.” No. 3 was, “Should the Braves trade Yunel Escobar?” Yesterday’s was, “Should the Bravers be buyers or sellers?” Not much nuance; just meat-and-potatoes sports stuff.
And on Wednesdays Mr. Schultz and I will be doing a Face Off, which is as it sounds: One issue, differing opinions.
Tell the truth. Do you like this new regimen?
Yes, I do. I love the actual act of writing. I’m not what’s known in the trade as a “bleeder,” meaning I don’t agonize over every word. I’m fairly quick and I’m usually pretty clean. (I’m talking copy-wise, not necessarily hygiene-wise.) And I’ve found, at the advanced age of 53, that focusing on the digital audience has enabled me to look on a job I’ve done for more more than 30 years in a whole new light. This stuff is, in a word, fun.
Do you read every single comment?
I try to look at every single comment. I’d be less than candid if I said I read them all one word for word. I try to get the gist, and I try to think of the comments section as a conversation. I like responding. I like making my dumb little jokes. I like recognizing people’s screen names, even if they’re people I know who aren’t my biggest fans.
By the way: You’re allowed to disagree with me, even encouraged to do so. I have just two requests.
And those are?
Keep it clean, and don’t use the word “thug.” I hate that word, and I delete any comment containing it. (I did it again just this morning.) It started as a code word, but it’s not even code anymore. It’s essentially a racial slur. I try to flexible on most things, but on this word I’m steadfast.
Do you have a formula for how often you respond?
I try to answer as often as I can, sometimes to stimulate the conversation, sometimes just to crack wise. With three posts a day, it gets a little tougher to keep up with every train of thought. But I do try.
Any other tips for commenters?
I’m a sucker for literary or movie or music references. If I see the screen name “Stephen Daedalus” — and I have — my eyes light up. Same with “Ted Striker.” Same with “Tupac Earnhardt Jr.”
Do you ever sleep?
On occasion, yes. But only on occasion.
Last FAQ. If you were going to give yourself a screen name, what would it be?
Believe it or not, I’ve given this a lot of thought. Here goes: Holly Martins.
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101 comments Add your comment
Mac
July 10th, 2009
4:57 pm
I’d pay, as long as it’s not too dear.
Meanwhile...thank you Mark
July 10th, 2009
4:58 pm
Thank you Mark. Of course I don’t have the pressure of coming up with them 3X daily. Or the financial incentive. LOL
As far as paying for online content; I think as noted above, you might find an audience for those who respect the sports content enough to pay. As for the rest of the paper, not so much.
But why bring down the generally positive vibe of this blog with talk of such unpleasantness?
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
5:01 pm
Thanks for the for-pay feedback, folks. And thanks for the ideas, Cincy. (And were I in Cincinnati, my favorite pregame dining spot would be Skyline.)
NCBravesFan
July 10th, 2009
5:03 pm
Well, now you’ve gone and put me on the spot Mark by having me answer a question!
Speaking personally as an ATL Braves, Falcs & Hawks fan living in NC, I would pay for the content and the commentary you, Schultz and DOB provide. However, the blog platform would have to be improved to make the sale for me (individual registration to comment and in DOB’s blog, a heck of a lot more comment moderation. Some of the comments that are allowed to stand in there I find offensive & meant to inflame, but I soldier on to get the scoop from DOB. And I know it’s not reflective of you guys so much as it’s reflective of resource allocation.)
If you agree with my thoughts here, I am NC Braves Fan. If not, I am Mrs. Chanandler Bong.
rlinaug
July 10th, 2009
5:10 pm
Mark, I didn’t know there was a British band called the Boo Radleys. Of modern bands, I am familar only with those whose music exhibits Merle Haggard’s influence. I threw in the Boo Radley reference, yesterday, cause the guy I was writing called himself Atticus. Anywho… have a great weekend and go Braves.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
5:12 pm
Thanks again, NC. And you raised a point I probably should address: The monitoring of comments. As noted, I try to do it myself, but sometimes something objectionable slips through. If any of you happen upon such a comment, please let me know.
But one more word here: We as a newspaper have made the considered decision to be fairly wide-ranging — I almost said “liberal” but I knew not to do that — in what we deem permissible. Cuss words aren’t. Racial epithets aren’t. Most everything else is. So, in sum, what’s objectionable to you mightn’t be objectionable according to AJC policy.
CincyJacket
July 10th, 2009
5:12 pm
Ahh see Mark, now I know I can trust your taste in food.
Mmmm Skyline
dawgdad
July 10th, 2009
5:14 pm
MB, good job with the blogs, enjoy when I have time. Would not pay to view AJC.com, just find somewhere else to get my sports. When you pay you have to register, give them a CC #, give them your email address, and the spam and ridiculous offers follow. Avoid it if I can. I think the info on the users is more valuable than the fee.
Dawgdrummer
July 10th, 2009
5:14 pm
Mark…I remember when they started charging for the columnists. It was the day I stopped reading them! I don’t know if I would pay for access to the whole paper or not, but to single out the columnists was tacky. I have only recently started reading the columnists again and not all the time. So…are the powers at be willing to risk people just turning to other sources??? It is a big, wide web out there!
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
5:15 pm
Actually, I’ve never bought a record by the Boo Radleys. (Anybody remember records?) But I have seen Merle H. in concert. Twice.
NCBravesFan
July 10th, 2009
5:25 pm
Mark: understood – and thanks! Is the AJC policy published on the web site anywhere? (Sorry – I’ve never looked for it, and I don’t recall seeing it before.)
JSS
July 10th, 2009
5:40 pm
Never took you for Kurosawa fan but “Throne of Blood” and “Rashomon” are much better… By the Mifume is the greatest actor to walk the planet…
Here’s one for you to watch with the wife and then tell me she is not very, very, very nice to you for showing it to her… “The World of Apu” by Satyajit Ray
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
5:44 pm
I don’t know if it is published anywhere, NC. I’ll ask.
“Throne of Blood” is indeed a fine movie, JSS. Based on “MacBeth.” Which was pretty good itself.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 10th, 2009
5:48 pm
You must be plumb tuckered out.
Nothing personal but I won’t pay for any on-line newspaper.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
5:50 pm
I take naps on weekends, Hillbilly. Like … right about now.
mike28212
July 10th, 2009
5:51 pm
Mark, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the new format. I appreciate the effort you put into this on a daily basis. It was an added bonus a few months back to discuss Champions League with you.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 10th, 2009
5:57 pm
Mark, in thinking back to the pay per view of blogs round 1, there was no way I would ever pay to see something written by Mr. Moore. As for if there were a round two it would probably get rid of me as I would just have to stick with the Gainesville Times. Go Jackets!!!!
JSS
July 10th, 2009
5:57 pm
“Throne of Blood” (the style and narrative) gave Lucas the idea for what Star Wars would be… Can’t touch that literal wall of arrows in flight…
You just saw the “The Third Man?” (at my new nemesis)… Dude, “Movies Worth Seeing” http://www.moviesworthseeing.com/ make it a mission… There are about 90 films you need to explore…
Larry
July 10th, 2009
6:10 pm
Mark,
Count me in as one who would gladly pay an appropriate price for a quality product or service. This alone, for the same reason you see fees imposed strategically in other venues, would help eliminate much of the free loading rift raft we see on here. Further, if this fee would buy out the reluctance by you and others to be more honest, frank and courageous when the topic of Bobby cox comes up I’d be all for it!
I just happen to to be related to one of your long term employees at the AJC and I’m convinced that either there is an unwritten moratorium against speaking about Cox and the Braves in general to retain your access to him and the players and/or the AJC’s Braves advertising money for the AJC, or all of you combined are dumb as a box of rocks! I’ve never seen a group of writers so afraid to ask Bobby the touch questions and never–NEVER–challenge his managerial decisions. On the other hand, if this is just the way you are, the way you see it, and all of you see it this way, I wouldn’t pay a penny for such utter, unabashed, naivety and/or ignorance!
That’s as honest as I can be!
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 10th, 2009
6:19 pm
Francoeur has been traded to the Mets? Looks like your nap will be a short one, Mark.
BDawg
July 10th, 2009
6:21 pm
Hey Mark
Jewels and binoclouars hang from the head of the mule……but visions of Johanna make it all seem so cruel
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
6:26 pm
Indeed it was, Hillbilly. About a half-hour nap.
Bat Masterson
July 10th, 2009
6:31 pm
I moved to the Florida panhandle a few years ago and miss getting the print edition, leafing through the pages I always felt serendipitious . I appreciate the regional flavor and would probably pay a small monthly fee for access, although i might have to get out and do some promoting to pay for it.
Ted Striker
July 10th, 2009
7:01 pm
Mark — You probably already know this bit of ‘Third Man’ trivia: The Harry Lime “cuckoo clock” line wasn’t in the original script. Orson Welles added it. That line made the movie for me.
I’d pay a reasonable fee for online access to AJC. If I use something regularly, I’m fine paying to enjoy it. (Now, if only I could figure out how to get back half of what I’ve paid scores of money for but don’t use).
I appreciate your disallowance of a certain word since it’s almost always misused and is typically mean-spirited. It’s not censorship because people can easily state their opinions without using that particular word. (But as mentioned before, it was absolutely perfect in ‘Gunga Din’)
Quick FYI. You likely know this already but the shortcut to search for a particular word or phrase is “Ctrl+F” (Windows) and “Command+F” (for Mac users like myself). Sometimes if I want to see if a particular person has commented, I’ll use the shortcut to look for their name.
Sage of Blueland
July 10th, 2009
7:04 pm
Blogging makes my butt itch.
The Colonel
July 10th, 2009
7:25 pm
Mark
Give us your thoughts on the Francouer trade. You have been so dead on about him already.
Mine are this:
I wish him the best–but in heading for NY–he is going from the sublime to the vicious when it comes to fan support. He will not fare well there. Too spoiled. Lou Gerhig used to pickle eels to help his family pay rent. Francouer is all jacuzzi and Jesus. He will be as revered there as a kleenex blowing down the street at 3a.m.
His problem has never been talent, just that he’s been coddled by too many folks–including jelly-brains like yourself. If he was hungry–instead of pampered–he’d be hitting .350 right now.
Bye, Jeff. Your sin is that you are soft. And, Bradley, you try to charge me 5 cents to blog with you and I will say goodbye to you, too.
Bob
July 10th, 2009
8:13 pm
Gotta be honest, I wasn’t a fan of alot of your print columns, but I do love the blog format! Think of it this way… It gives you two more times during the day to redeem yourself. Keep up the good work!
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
8:52 pm
Thanks for the tip, Ted. I need all the computing help I can get.
A Kleenex blowing down the street at 3 a.m. Colonel, that isn’t from “Visions of Johanna.” But it shoulda been.
And it’s now, as you’ve probably noted, 103 posts in 40 days. Here’s my Francoeur react.
The HeldenFiles: Stark County on TV | Monday Night Football Betting Coaching Club
July 10th, 2009
9:10 pm
[...] Questions about my blog? Pretty cool, huh? A picture of this post atop this post. High-tech, like. If you’re counting at home – and literally, I just did – this marks my 102nd post in 40 days. [...]
Ernest
July 10th, 2009
9:37 pm
Mark, good job with the online blog. The fact that you monitor and respond to posts makes this more interactive. You seem like a natural for this format.
I’m probably still one of the few people that still get the print edition (something about having a paper in your hand while drinking coffee) and have considered eliminating it since I spend quite a bit of time with the online version. When you consider I pay over $200/year (the coupons help pay for the investment), I would probably pay the $60/year if I did so. I wonder if I would be in the minority because if the other papers are not doing this, the AJC may loss readership via the Internet. That would surely have an impact to Internet Ad revenue.
slimpickens
July 10th, 2009
9:44 pm
Fire Mark Brdley!
C. Allen
July 10th, 2009
10:11 pm
This is the best explanation I’ve seen yet of what the AJC is doing with blogs. You seem to have adapted splendidly! Looking forward to reading the other AJC blogs.
Thunderbull56
July 10th, 2009
10:42 pm
10:38 ‘09 ,no 10:39 Bull’s behind the times and Braves are less a Frenchman.Luv ‘tha MB love fest, NOT.Blog on ‘ye’s.
Chuckles
July 10th, 2009
11:28 pm
Mark – Great job on the online blogification. You are giving Rodney Ho a run for his money!
As for the viability of the ‘pay for online AJC’ idea, well, it’s inevitible. The Wall Street Journal has been charging for years, and they’re doing just fine. The trick is the cost, and the method of payment.
The ‘folks who sign checks’ value the content too highly: this content should start cheap, and slowly be increased over time as the print version dries up. $5/month is way too high. Think yearly fee, like less than $50. The magic number may be less than $20 even. Too small? It’s $20 more than you are getting NOW, and if the methods of delivery are increased for the same fee, you will see a rapid adaptation of this idea.
What am I talking about? Front-end mobile device applications. USA Today has the best iPhone/Android/Windows Mobile client. Yes, they still have the website, and yes, it’s still free.
But if you go to a paid model – where you charge $20 for full content, free for headlines (like the WSJ does) and allow access via well designed front end interfaces for these devices, or for desktop/laptop systems, with lots of legacy archive search, print & repurposing technologies, and yes, multimedia, you would have something there.
How would it be best paid for? Other than the obvious (credit card) I suggest you look at the best current micropayment model – The iTunes store. Under 25 folks have iTunes card credits coming out of their ears. Partner with Apple to create a newspaper section of the iTunes store (along with, say, other Cox properties?), use Apple’s expertise in interface and app design to make it all work, and allow purchase of the product via the iTunes route – on demand via a per-copy cost like you do with the paper (.25c?) or subscription.
Sorry about the long-winded response, but I’m a developer, and we’re doing this RIGHT NOW with other types of content and making significant money. You could too, if management gets bold & does this right. AccessAtlanta was (and is) a half-baked version of this idea that was before its time and badly executed. Do it right & save your business.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
11:40 pm
Thanks, Chuckles. I never thought I’d be interested in technical stuff like that, but suddenly I am.
Ted Striker
July 11th, 2009
7:45 am
“And, Bradley, you try to charge me 5 cents to blog with you and I will say goodbye to you, too.”
Safe bet that dude never used 10 stacks to make it rain in the club.
sharecropper
July 11th, 2009
7:47 am
Well, I dunno how you get all the way from “thug” to “racial,” but okay, if you say so. What I really don’t understand is how anyone can expect to “blog” three times a day and have any serious import. That ain’t blogging, that’s twittering. Hold it to 140 characters and keep on a going.
ATL Longtimer
July 11th, 2009
9:12 am
Mark,
Born and raised in Atlanta. I now live in NYC, but follow Atlanta news through the AJC online. Love your columns and posts – you’re actually funnier than you think, and your thoughts on Atlanta sports are usually in line with my own, which means we’re both never right. Keep up the great work.
Loyal Homer
July 11th, 2009
10:25 am
Mark,
I enjoyed this blog! Sounds like you are a busy guy these days! I always enjoy your stuff. Don’t always agree with you, but then again, it’s not your job to have an opinion that pleases everyone.
Would love for you to check out a blog that two colleagues and myself have created. Actually getting pretty in-depth now. The debate we currently have posted is about the relevance of the home run derby. We try to discuss a different topic 5 days a week. Just a hobby of ours.
Give it a look and give us some feedback.
http://www.thesportsdebates.com
Loyal Homer
July 11th, 2009
10:29 am
And no, I’m not posting a link to be aggravating to everyone else!
I’m not sure about the pay service. I’m 27 and live in South Georgia and remember clearly when you guys did that. I’m not sure that would work Mark. South Georgia doesn’t get the AJC anymore and I know a lot of people, myself included, who come online to get the latest in-depth stories on the Braves, UGA, GT, Falcons, Hawks, etc. We don’t get much out of the AP stories that are posted in the local papers.
George P. Burdell
July 11th, 2009
10:34 am
Congratulations on the most honest and candid piece that I’ve ever seen you write. Some highlights, Mr. Bradley, for my praise:
“I work in Digital at the AJC now, not Sports” — thank you for clearing that up; I didn’t realize that you were ever considered a sports reporter.
“Not to say something good, but something new”. — no comment needed.
“I’d be lying…” — repeated several times. Finally, some reality.
The many pictures and references to non-sports related topics — we get it, Mr. Bradley. You didn’t have much worth writing before; now that you must blog, you will show your contempt for the AJC and readers by filling space with unrelated items.
wxwax
July 11th, 2009
11:19 am
George P. Burdell needs to get laid in the worst possible way.
MannyT
July 11th, 2009
11:56 am
Paying for information on the internet…only if it is unique and useful. One of the challenges with the pay for web thing is why pay fof something at site A that is available for free at site B.
As for the digital insights, I think I’d go for 2 posts a day. On special occassion, I’d use that 3rd slot for interactive style chat. You present speaker and have web dialog for 30-60 minutes. You might be able to get people to pay for some of that exclusive chat access. Chats could be posted once they are done…but no subscription, no chat with the digitally interesting personality.
Don
July 11th, 2009
12:07 pm
Has anyone heard how Jeff Schultz is recovering from his/her gender reassignment surgery?
BT
July 11th, 2009
12:16 pm
Thanks Mark for your writing/blogging and your small insight into what is happening in the newspaper business. Looks like you guys are trying to “revamp” an industry rather than becoming extinct. Hope AJC leaves you alone to do your thing.
Political Man
July 11th, 2009
1:48 pm
Not sure what gets thrown on my driveway every morning deserves to be called a newspaper. I’m just waiting to pull the plug. Been getting it for 35+ yrs. I disagree that the AJC is “leftist.” Not with the likes of Wooten wasting newsprint. One more comment. AJC has not figured out to do online. But they are not alone. The disappearing blog is more irritating than interesting.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
I enjoy the fact that you drop in here from time to time to respond to comments and discuss things. Also I appreciate the fact that you can do that without coming off as pompous and/or arrogant.
Mark Bradley
July 12th, 2009
12:48 am
A word here: I didn’t “check in,” as Hillbilly says, today much because I try to stay off the Internet at least one day a week. Don’t usually succeed, but I try. Computers, as you know, can be addicting.
Gumby
July 12th, 2009
11:58 am
Mark I continue to enjoy your writing in the blog world as much as I did in print. Keep up the good work. I am happy with the new format and as always find your common sense refreshing. As far as working at home I have been doing it since 1998, except for a brief period of foolishness on wanting to work in “downtown” ATL, and find it’s just a mindgame. I remind myself I am am work and not at home to watch TV, although admittedly the Braves games are on when I work at night. Just with the volume lowered when I’m on the phone.
Benjamin
July 12th, 2009
2:54 pm
I doubt my opinion on the topic matters too much on the whole, Bradley, but while I’ve warmed a great deal to you through reading your blogs — you are the Mike Marshall of the blogging world, in my opinion, turning out so much quality work on a consistent basis with the new forum that I’ve come to appreciate your stuff here a great deal more than I did while growing up reading your stuff — I cannot say that I’d pay to view ajc.com.
I understand the reasoning behind it. In many parts of this world you have to pay to play, for lack of a better phrase. But there are too many free, local sites that turn out good stuff for me to make room in my budget for viewership of this site.
Keep up the great work, though. You are one of my bookmarks, and I’m not a bookmark person.
Also, to echo HIllbilly, I must also say that it’s refreshing to see you active within the community. I’ve always hated impersonal blogs, and I like reading your comments — and the commentary of others — as much as I enjoy reading your blogs!