It’s never been a better time to be a blogger.

Yes, Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest and Instagram and a slew of other social networks and apps are getting most of the attention in 2012, but 15 years into the world of blogging, there are exciting trends and threads that make being a blogger fun and interesting.

Back to the Blog

Explore these trends and threads with us on Sat., Oct. 13, 2012 at Back to the Blog, a review of what we’ve learned about using blogs to communicate and a look at the trends that are taking blogging forward.

Here are some of the things we’ll demonstrate, discuss and debate:

Style and Design – As we said back in 2005 at the Triangle Bloggers Conference, a blog is like a pencil, and you can use it to express yourself in any way you wish. We’ll feature some of our favorite blog styles, and look foward to your examples, too. And, blog design, using responsive design and simple themes, are getting back to an emphasis on making your words the focus. Rapid-design frameworks such as Bootstrap by Twitter and Foundation by Zurb offer new ways to quickly create a page. There are dozens and dozens of WordPress theme companies developing frameworks and families of themes. We’ll tour the design trends and review some of these tools.

Comments and discussions – Whether written by one person or a team, most blogs aim to start discussion. Blogs that band together can attract more attention (for example, there are many science blogging networks). New networks (see Mediumand Svbtle) are popping up to help bloggers focus on their ideas and writing. We’ll share examples and ask for your strategies for promoting your blog. And, new commenting and conversation tools – such as Disqus and Branch and OPML Comments  – are giving your readers better ways to discuss your ideas and take the conversation to new levels (yes, we’ll also discuss the depths of online conversation, and strategies to avoid the vitriol).

Details

Here’s what you need to know:

• We’ll meet in the Duke University School of Law (map) on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon).
• Free parking in the Law School Lot.
• Everyone’s welcome, but we have space for 100.
• Tickets are now free (we will refund your money if you previously paid $11).
• We have generous support from the Duke University Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations.

Who’s in charge?

Back to the Blog is being organized by Cara Rousseau and Anton Zuiker. We welcome your help – contact us today.

Questions? Contact Cara Rousseau (cara.rousseau@duke.edu) or Anton Zuiker (anton.zuiker@duke.edu)

It’s really a good time to be a blogger.