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Interview with real-life college blogger, Jill Hamilton

March 24, 2008

Jill is a Journalism student in Charlottetown, PEI, Canada and has been blogging since 2001. She recently started a college blog Kill Jill Goes To College . She also is the creator of an online arts magazine Jill Pushed Jack  and maintains a directory for fictional blogs, Flogalicious .

Her official site can be found at http://www.jillianne-hamilton.com.
 
 WJ: How would you describe your profession?

The career that I’ll be entering after my program is Journalism. I especially want to be  involved in Entertainment Journalism. I think it would be a great experience, making a living by interviewing singers, actors, people involved in showbiz. I’d also like to work as a critic. I mean, who WOULDN’T want to get paid for giving their opinion on a movie, stage play, musical, concert or album? People are becoming increasingly interested in the lives of celebrities and riding that wave of interest is exactly what I plan to do.
 
 WJ: How did you get into New Media/Online publishing/Online communications?  Did you see yourself getting into this field early on?

Even before we had the internet, I thought it was such a neat idea: publishing your own work online for the whole world to see. As soon as my family got online, I started learning about websites, HTML and the many opportunities for self-publication that are available on the internet. I started making small websites, keeping an online blog and finally finding my place on the internet as a blogger and writer.
 
 WJ: What do you think are the turning points that helped make webmastering/online publishing/online marketing a lucrative business field?

I think one of the best things about online publishing is the fact that so many people are able to see what you’ve got to offer and read your words. Anybody on the planet with access to the web can read your thoughts and opinions and, for the most part, the reader doesn’t have to hand over a credit card to read those opinions.

Also, the production of websites like Wordpress and Blogger have helped a lot. People out there who aren’t that interested in learning HTML but want to get their articles and opinions published can do that very easily. In fact, with my own blogs, I prefer to use Wordpress just so I can focus on what I’m writing, instead of having to fiddle with HTML. I could if I wanted to, but I choose not to.
 
 WJ: In your opinion, what is the most exciting recent development in online publishing?

Although not really a NEW development in publishing, video blogging seems like an  interesting way of sharing your opinions. For those of us (i.e. not myself) who are better at speaking than writing, it’s a great way to share your thoughts about different topics. Although, I think there’s also a downside to this: the revolution of writers that the internet has spawned could be cancelled out by video bloggers who don’t want to take the effort to put their thoughts in writing.
 
 WJ: What do you think are the essential skills to become a successful webmaster?

Some of the basic things that a webmaster should know are:
1) The use of proper grammar, or at least acceptable grammar. There is nothing worse than reading an article on a website that includes statements like “Thiz CD was awsum and I give it 2 thums up!!!!!!”. Not only is it annoying to the reader, it makes the writer look like an idiot.

2) The ability to put together colors that compliment and are pleasing to the eye. Whether you are choosing a pre-made theme for your blog or designing a layout for your website, making your place of publication is half the battle.

3) The most important thing, probably, is having something significant to share. Although  writing a personal blog simply for the love of writing is fine by me (since I myself do that very thing), the thoughts you are sharing must be somewhat important to someone, or else what’s the point?
 
 WJ: Being a webmaster has gone from being a one-person job to a field that allows specialization. Is that a good thing or a bad thing for the business of online publishing?

I think it’s a good thing because now each employee working for a website can focus on their job, whether it be writer or graphic designer. That way, each employee can become gradually better at their job.
 
 WJ: Do you think the industry is regulated enough? Have the authorities or the Net’s relevant governing bodies become too restrictive? Which areas of online activity do you think NEED further regulation?

The only opinion I have on this would be that of people getting fired for sharing their thoughts on a personal blog. Although, obviously, there are things that happen within a company that should not be shared, but if a personal blogs about their personal life and they happen to mention where they work, they shouldn’t be reprimanded for it. The blogger should be able to express their opinions freely without losing their job.
 
 WJ: What would your advice be to someone who is just getting his or her feet wet in online business?

Have something important to say. Re-read what you’ve written before you post anything. Do link exchanges with websites like your own. Add your website to online directories. If somebody comments on your blog, be nice and comment back. Write articles for other people – but write for yourself first and foremost. That’s the most important person you should write for.

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