Pitch My Blog

As you know, I‘m off to BlogHer tomorrow! Well, the introductory brochure for Blogher suggests that I come prepared with a pitch for my blog1 and, since I’m the Queen of Procrastination, I’m just getting to thinking about this now.

Picture this: someone at BlogHer will ask me, “What’s your blog about?” and I will say… um… I will say… um… Ya, so this is where you guys come in – what the hell am I supposed to say? I’m always stumped when I’m asked this question and usually answer something like this: “Well, it’s a just a personal blog2. I kinda write about whatever comes off the top of my head. I write sometimes about hockey. And weird things that I do. And funny stuff I find on the Internets. And people/places/things that piss me off. So, um, ya.”

See! I need your help! If you were to try to explain to someone what my blog is about, in two sentences or less, what would you say?

1And it specifically says that “I just have a personal blog” is not an acceptable answer.
2See footnote 1.

Comments |9|

Re: RaulCancel

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  • Perhaps it is acceptable to be flexible here . . . even a little improvisational. Consider the recipient of the pitch. Then contextualize a facet.

    @science editors, “Candid reflections on higher education flow through the course of a blossoming career. Commentary on science issues of the day mingles freely with all manner of personal anecdotes.”

    @culture (trend) editors, “Savvy and charming observations on modern times are framed against the backdrop of academic life. An eclectic mix is subject to constant change.”

    @Canadian Prime Ministerial history editors, “Are you sitting down? Have I got the blog for you . . . ”

    Presumably the idea behind a pitch is a business context rather than an appeal to individual readers. The advantage of having little apparent focus is that a case can be made for a wide range of possible foci. The most basic Jedi mind tricks can then make that appealing focus the center of attention during the conversation that follows. Beware of getting completely defined by one facet, but be confident in presenting the one that generates a sparkle in the eyes of prospective collaborators.

    Also, be prepared to field questions about the title. If there is a specific incident you are willing to disclose, find a charming way to tell the tale of it. If not, think through a response that exploits mystique. Of course, there is more to life than business — perhaps the best way to go is to share several mutually exclusive and entirely fanciful tales just for the fun of that experience.

    Reply

  • Hmmm… I was thinking of it more in terms of pitching my blog to individual readers, like just people I meet there, rather than business. Unless you think someone would be willing to pay for my savvy and charming observations on modern times?

    Reply

  • “It’s about my experiences as a freelance scientist, educator, artist, model and social engineer.”
    Then you could add “And my groovy readers.”
    But that’s up to you. 🙂

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  • To paraphrase Eggers, you could say that your blog is a heartbreaking blog of staggering blogginess.

    Although, personally I consider your blog one of the favourite PhD procrastination tools available. It ranks up there with PhD comics, crackbook, constant email checking and playing ‘avoid the advisor’.

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  • @AOM – Wow, that’s much better saying my blog is about “my science-y brain thoughts,” which is the best I’ve come up with so far.

    @retrocactus – Great idea! It’s on Twitter now!

    @Dan – Extra points if you can play ‘avoid the advisor’ WHILE reading my blog!

    Reply

  • Beth’s blog is the online repository of the crazy thoughts of a fashionable, funny, science-y, geeky, sporty and social gal. Often showing an extreme amount of wittiness, it can also contains items that may (potentially) be serious in real life.

    Summary enough?

    Reply

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