Broadband Reality Check!

I just can't escape those shrieking ads and articles: 'Everyone has broadband – or at least, they're getting it next week!' Because of this overwhelming hype, many Web developers and content pros currently seem preoccupied with learning how to produce broadband content....I must admit that I've been lulled into the broadband fantasy to some extent, too. I live in a very 'wired' town (Boulder, CO), and we currently have both DSL and cable modem connections at our home. So I've been sucking down a lot of broadband content lately. I've gotten very spoiled! However the vast majority of Internet users (even in the US) cannot get broadband.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2000). Design>Web Design>Usability>Bandwidth

Credibility and Corporate Scandals: Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is

It doesn't matter whether a company is communicating through its balance sheet, prospectus, or Web site. The recent corporate accounting scandals have shattered much of the basic trust that enables business and investment to function. Unfortunately, this affects not only those companies whose shifty finances have recently been exposed. Today, all businesses face the need to demonstrate their credibility to customers, investors, partners, regulators, and the public.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2002). Articles>Business Communication>Communication

Exactly What Is Content, Anyway?

Not too long ago, one of the key people behind a substantial e-commerce operation confidently assured me, 'Content is not a consideration for our site. We just sell stuff – we don't publish content.' CRINGE!!! This statement reflects a sadly limited understanding (a profound misunderstanding, actually) of the nature and role of content in online media. Content is a broad term, with broad implications. It includes far more than article-style material.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2001). Articles>Content Management>Theory

How to Keep the Content Coming: Five Tips

Maintaining a steady flow of high-quality content can be a major challenge for any online venue. Shifting priorities, unexpected crises, ebbing resources, and just plain burnout can (and probably will) take its toll on your content plans. These tips can help you prevent or compensate for problems with your supply of fresh online content.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2002). Articles>Content Management>Writing

Interactivity on a Low Budget

Interactivity is one big reason why the Internet has become so popular. People like to talk to each other, and they relish the chance to talk back directly to the media. And from the media's perspective, interactivity is one way to obtain a steady stream of free and diverse content (and also to enhance audience interest and loyalty). Therefore, it's a shame that many traditional news and media organizations don't have a clue about how to do online interactivity well.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2001). Design>Knowledge Management

Online Options for Frustrated Journalists

Apparently many of the best journalists and editors are interested in making the jump to online media, but they also have many concerns and misconceptions about the online content business. Since I kept hearing the same questions, I thought it might be useful to present my boiled-down answers here. These aren't one-size-fits-all solutions, but rather points for working journalists to consider.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2000). Careers>Writing>Online

Online Style Guides: Getting Past Caps and Commas

Style, and style guides, are perennial hot topic in the online content business. Many content professionals seem preoccupied with finding the ultimate, authoritative source with the final word on whether 'Internet' should be capitalized, or whether 'Web site' is one word or two. But in reality, such questions are among the least important concerns of online style. Where you put the punctuation doesn't matter nearly as much as how you shape and deliver your messages.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2001). Articles>Style Guides>Online

Tips for Online Content Businesses in 2001

The online content industry has experienced its first real shakeout. Good! It toppled many high-profile online content venues and left others reeling, scrambling, and retrenching -- but it was absolutely necessary. 2001 should be an especially exciting and interesting year for the online content industry. The need for quality online content continues to expand with the Internet's popularity. However, the online content industry doesn't work like traditional media. Also, it has become painfully obvious that you really must have a solid business model to succeed in this field. Time to stop clinging to outdated assumptions about media, and to take a hard look at how online media really works. As food for thought, here are Amy's top tips for online content businesses in 2001.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2001). Design>Content Management>Editorials

What It Takes To Be An Online Content Professional

Sure, this field is new and fun. It's fast-growing and fast-moving. It's even sexy. It offers plenty of variety, opportunity, and freedom....It's also confusing, demanding, exhausting, difficult, complicated, aggravating, risk-prone, and sometimes just plain rotten. It takes a special kind of person to survive and thrive as a full-time online content professional. Without the right mix of personal qualities you'll probably plateau, fail, or quit.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2000). Careers>Writing>Online

What Is Content Strategy and Why Should You Care?

If you or your organization has any sort of media presence (especially online), it’s useful to consider your overall content strategy: what you intend to say, and when and how to say it, in order to connect and interact constructively and efficiently with the people you need to help you achieve your goals.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2005). Articles>Content Management>Content Strategy