[2015] 5 Best Practices for Live Blogging

By : Unknown

On : 9/06/2015

In : Blogger Tips

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Live blogging is the ‘in’ thing. With blogging and related events being hosted around the world more frequently than before, a blogger needs to learn the best practices for live blogging because the concept offers the following benefits:

• enhancing online presence as a blogger
• drawing high traffic, even if its short-term
• gaining prominence
• networking with industry influencers

Let’s hit the road.

What is Live Blogging?

Live Blogging is the act of updating your blog as an event happens rather than ‘after’ it happens. Obviously, you need to be physically present at the event to do ‘live’ blogging.

5 Best Practices for Live Blogging

Follow these.

1) Setting up the Platform

Reach the event venue well in advance and setup the instruments. Check if the laptop is charged and talk to the event organizer/s for Wi-Fi connectivity, and check its reception. Open the blog, login and be ready to live. You can prepare a format also because in live blogging, you can’t write long posts. They have to be crisp and to-the-point.

2) Headline Matters

A lot of other bloggers will be covering the event. One of the best practices for live blogging is to choose a catchy and attractive headline under which the live updates will display. Choose a title that encapsulates the essence of the event.

3) Sync with Social Media

One of the purposes of live blogging is to get traffic and reach out to new and old readers. Updating the blog with live blogging event isn’t useful if no one gets to know about it. To ensure otherwise, you can follow some of these steps:

• Email your subscribers 3-4 days in advance and let them know you’re going to attend the event and how it is beneficial for them as well. On the D-day, share the live post link with the subscribers. Interested readers will click.
• Send shout-outs about it on social media platforms. You can use tools like JustRetweet and HootSuite to schedule social media updates.
• Since you’ll be writing, partner with someone to send ‘live’ tweets about the event, with hashtags.

4) Infuse Your Personality

Yes, you’re reporting an event but you don’t need to use journalistic style. The writing shouldn’t be staid and rigid; instead, use conversationalist tone. Be humoristic. Infuse your personality in the live blogging updates. It need not be boring or seem as if you’re just reporting.

5) Include Images

As the event unfolds, take lots of images and post them as updates. The main idea behind the best practices for live blogging is to make the content short, crisp and engaging. What better way is there than to let pictures do their talking!

Endnote

If you’re a serious blogger, vow to attend as many blogging events as possible. Cover it live and follow the best practices for live blogging. If you want a detailed guide, check this.