Comments on: Are we writing the obit for long-form content?

By: Students’ G-20 project gives hope «

Students’ G-20 project gives hope « — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:32:55 +0000

[...] and will probably use it as an example of those who complain that wonder if this generation is all about short form content and Facebook-y status [...]

By: Angelo Fernando

Angelo Fernando — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:50:35 +0000

So apart from knowing/checking the reading habits of our audience we need to know (Dan’s point) and using words economically (Laurie’s point) are there other things we want to pay attention to. I say we, speaking for our VPRB team here. But also for other content creators. For instance, do headlines make a big difference to how much time you spend on a post/article. For a writer to give more context, are (’juicy’) hyperlinks enough?

I am not sure what MS says about video being the answer. (The intention here is not to blame one industry or another, but to learn from the process and tools we are all experimenting with.) If video is the answer to everything, will we want everything from tax codes to text books turned into an a/v format?

One last thought: we have to acknowledge that the younger (’generation txt’) hasn’t exactly voted down printed material. How else to explain the passion for Harry Potter and young adult lit?

By: Laurie Perez

Laurie Perez — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:54:57 +0000

Worthy question, beautifully posed!

Length isn’t always a measure of depth. A poem by Mary Oliver or David Whyte can open a world of reflection with very few lines.

I think a greater threat is the noisy overflow. The moment I follow a link to a sexy science article, I see 10 other equally juicy links. When I post the link on Facebook to share, I see it line up on my HOME page alongside compelling articles from Fast Company, videos from TED, and friends’ reports of the news of the hour (or minute).

The challenge to reflection and contemplation today is in that cacophony. Instead of lingering on the science article that first seduced me, I’ve now flirted with five other random thoughts – within five minutes. Contemplation requires silence, commitment, discipline: volume control.

By: Marketing Sociologist

Marketing Sociologist — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:04:28 +0000

Sorry. Lost attention after etc. Could you make a music video of this and post it to YouTube so I can understand it? That’s how I learn my iPhone apps, get my news and gossip features. Also learning Spanish and folk guitar via YouTube.

Yet potential clients – even today – still don’t want to hear how YouTube can increase their profits. They’re still looking for the PRESS RELEASE in PR. 20th Century mentality in a 21st Century (second decade) world. No wonder those companies are in financial trouble.

Richard Kelleher
Marketing Sociologist
http://mediarelationsexpert.com/Marketing_Sociologist.html

By: Dan Wool

Dan Wool — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:14:01 +0000

Online, things need to be short. I learned this the hard way as an editor at two online websites. People don’t read online the same way they do offline. Reader behavior is more like television, less like print.

I think you can summarize or tease it short then link to long-form content for those who want depth.