Multimedia choices
Multimedia forms of communication are everywhere. You are reading one form now – the blog. I am immersed in digital media, both with business and in my project with Universities around Australia. Just think – a few short years ago, to get any information about our chosen interests, we had to read books or if you were scholarly, read journals. In some ways nothing has changed. There is still a prestige attached to publishing your work in books or journals but is there anything wrong with widening your publications?
I choose to publish on the web. That way I have the widest audience. Knowing your audience is the key to having a successful business.
I would like to pick your brains, those who are reading this, and understand your use of digital media. What is your favourite form of obtaining knowledge about pets (or any other chosen subject). Can you pick one as a preferred means of obtaining information – videos (You Tube etc), podcasts, websites or blogs or do you need a combination of these? Does it differ if you are looking for education or entertainment? Are you creating digital media yourself? And how do you measure your success in reaching your audience?(If so, please leave links to your sites in your comments.) Thanks for your comments.
Hi Dr Jo, Before we got Harper (our chocolate Lab) we did lots of online research (as well as talking to real live human people, and reading those old fashioned paper & cardboard creations we call "books") about Labradors, their behaviour, best breeders around, things like that. We found him via dogzonline, also found DogStarDaily a valuable source (tweets, blogs, email newsletters), as well as forums, which is something I feel is lacking in the multimedia choice you've provided us with. Forums allow you to seek out specific OR general information, post a question or topic, and get fast replies from like minded people who have been through what you have been through. You Tube was great in getting us excited and amped up before we brought him home, and also in viewing some short clips about training, but nothing like the information provided on blogs and forums. Before we chose Harper we were comparing Labradors to Vizslas, and found the actual websites for the Associations very helpful - they provided links and springboards to further information. Hope this is the kind of thing you are after, and good luck in your research! Katie & Harper @matiekorgan (Twitter) P.S I'm still an old-school reader, too. For anything longer than 2 or 3 paragraphs I still like to print out the information to read while I'm eating a bikkie and drinking my coffee!
I think that the combo is the way to go when you are researching. Good forums are definitely a great source of information. Bad forums (unmoderated ones) are sometimes a source of bullying, rudeness and ignorance. It woud be great to have time to have more interactions with people but sometimes the other forms of media - blogs, podacsts etc can be a useful alternative. Thanks for your comments. Jo