This past week, Suzanne discussed effective blogging practices and provided insight as well as relevant statistics regarding what the general public looks for in a blog. She mentions how they are no longer just spaces that have blocks of text, but rather, websites possessing other engaging elements to them. Podcasting, for example, has proven to be a great way to connect with your audience. Suzanne also, however, elaborates on both undertakings possessing their corresponding opportunities and drawbacks.
There was additionally a discussion how “online audio” has surged in popularity, with millions of people around the world listening to podcasts (Norman, 2020). Suzanne shared some recording and editing software we can maneuver should we consider doing so. Smart speakers are also highly utilized tools and examples would be “Amazon’s Alexa” and “Google Home” (Norman, 2020). I personally listen to a podcast on a regular basis but never imagined producers/hosts using these kinds of speakers. Evidently, if I were to feature a podcast, it would most likely include interviewing people about books that have inspired them or had a significant impact on their lives.
Amazon further uses the term “skills,” meaning “apps” (Norman, 2020). They have templates allowing people to make the desired content or “skill” and add it to a database, where other individuals are able to stream them, which I was completely unaware of until now.
Then, Suzanne gave us step-by-step instructions for creating “skills,” like games, through “Alexa Skills Blueprints,” a platform that does not need code (Norman, 2020). I think this could potentially be the next recurring aspect of Four Purple Walls. I have been exploring different channels I believe the audience will find interesting. I do want them to experience a more interactive side with my brand and what the following steps may encompass when going about achieving this feat are, initially, generating more creative ideas that involve means such as Alexa Skills Blueprints. Overall, I am very excited to investigate the many possibilities that I can incorporate onto my blog after the semester concludes.
References
Norman, S. (2020). Beyond Blogs [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from: SFU Canvas.