Amateur blogs real amateurs

A tug of war over the future of media may be brewing between so-called user-generated content — including amateurs who produce blogs, video and audio for public consumption — and professional journalists, movie makers and record labels, along with the deep-pocketed companies that back them. The likely outcome: a hybrid approach built around entirely new business models, say experts at Wharton. In response, professional fare is gaining renewed favor. But the user-generated revolution is clearly not over. Professional content companies are betting on the longevity of user-generated sites by acquiring them. News Corp.

When I first started blogging in , I set up a free account with Blogger, and just started writing about whatever I wanted. It was great! I grew more as a writer in a few months than I had studying creative writing in college. Until I realized no one was reading my blog. I would publish my best writing and no one would read it. It was frustrating, even humiliating.

You push the Submit button to introduce your next great thought to the world. Finally, this might be the one that pulls in some real traffic. Up until this point, the majority of your visits have come from you and your parents. Your subscriber count remains the same.

A clear example of this division can be found in early photography. Whether these amateur photographers took photographs in order to pursue its artistic potential, explore its scientific capabilities, or maintain a pleasurable hobby, all were capable of financing their endeavors which included costs of both equipment and chemicals and — if necessary — outside printing assistance. Though the Kodak was not the first ever hand-camera, it was the first to contain a functional version of roll- film ; it was also the first hand camera geared towards creating its own market. Promoting ease of use and moving in the direction of cost-efficiency, the Kodak hand camera attracted a large, varied, and devoted following.