This presentation illustrates and discusses how blogging on MusiCB3 (http://musicb3.wordpress.com/) has tried to network with the University of Cambridge's community, and how, as well as with whom, such communication sits within a broader context of using social networking which are more commonly seen as tools to engage with others (Twitter & Facebook page). A list of "dos" and "don'ts" will critically assess the opportunities and challenges of online tools to connect with your users. (May 2013)

1. Blogging as social networking? Opportunities and
challenges of MusiCB3, May 2013
Clemens Gresser
Pendlebury Library of Music & Music Dept., Cambridge University Library

2. Social Media?

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

Foursquare

….
Comment
Connections
& building
communities
Comment
Comment
Share

3. Using blogs as social media?
Web page
Blog
often very static,
linear and onedirectionally
structured
can be interactive,
dynamic and
stimulate interest
(share, interact,
connect)

4. Using blogs as social media?
Web page
Blog
perception that it “has encourages reading
to be studied in
“bits” via blog tags
total” / clear
or in chunks
pathways
(months), or via
“cross-references”

5. Using blogs as social media?
Web page
Blog
Currency of
information
sometimes not
explicitly stated, or
not emphasised
Dated posts ; (we)b
log ; comments
dated and timesensitive →
communication

6. Using blogs as social media?
Web page
Blog
Broadcast
information ; web
content is not open
for debate
Share information
and thoughts ;
reader's thoughts
welcome and
encouraged through
“comment” option

7. MusiCB 3 – identity, creating a connection

8. MusiCB 3 – identity, creating a connection

9. MusiCB3 – structure

First post: 8 Sept 2010

Frequency: 1 post per week (Fridays at 8:45!)

'Broadcast': via Facebook and Twitter

10. MusiCB3 – the “story” so far … cont.
Posts: 135 posts
Bloggers: 8 core bloggers (124 posts) plus
9x 1-timers & 1x 2-timer (11 posts)

11. MusiCB3 – the “story” so far … cont.
134 posts by core bloggers:
Bloggers A-D = 106 posts

12. Disclaimers about number of posts
Bloggers E, F, G, H:
Volunteer, contractor...
1 Blogger 'only' started working with us
in July 2013
1 Blogger 'only' started blogging in May 2012.

13. MusiCB3 – as social medium, connecting as team
- sharing information,
experiences and
news amongst our
teams in two
libraries

14. MusiCB3 – connecting as team
Music Pilot = Cambridge University Library
& Pendlebury Library of Music working
together
staff working across both libraries to
provide services and advice

15. MusiCB3 – blogging together & connecting
collections
Some posts
point to holdings
at both libraries

16. System of serialist posting
Principle: no post until each other core blogger has post
published, but...

sometimes no inspiration/idea for blog post

“being busy” means lack of time


time-sensitive posts need to be published on
specific dates
Still relatively good mix

17. Series & major themes in MusiCB3

Exhibitions
(15 posts, 6 bloggers)

Anniversaries
(10 posts, 4 bloggers)

Bygone concert venues
(7 posts, Susi Woodhouse)

18. Series & major themes in MusiCB3 – cont.
Deryck Cooke Archive
(5x Mark Doran plus 1)
Cambridge collectors
(4 posts/3 bloggers; tie-in with CUL
exhibition)

19. Impact, reach, and connecting
Total 'views': 31,219 views, but 'views' search
result display!
Subscribers/followers: 42 people, but: only 23
email followers ; 3 MusiCB3 bloggers.
Comments: 141 comments, but 35 by
MusiCB3 bloggers

20. Comments = social media & connecting?
Title of post
Number of comments
Use of Naxos versus CD borrowing at the Pendlebury
8
ONLs are not everyone’s cup of tea
8
Cambridge, oh musical city
7

21. Comments = social media & connecting?
Title of post
Number of comments
Bygone concert venues no.
1: Exeter Hall
5
To celebrate, to
commemorate : Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor
'Turning over an old leaf...'
4
4

22. Comments = social media & connecting?
Title of post
Composer anniversaries
for 2012
A Librarian needs your help
To celebrate, to
commemorate : Charles
Dickens (1812-1870)
Number of comments
4
4
3

23. Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

24. Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

25. Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

26. Ebooks vs. ONL – discussion on MusiCB3

27. Facebook and promoting posts

28. And your overdue fine will be, publ. 12/4/13

29. Impact, reach, and connecting – via Facebook


“Total Reach” on Facebook for the
'Overdue' post = 430 people
Normally: 30-60 people
seen “share” of MusiCB3 post.

30. Another popular post...

31. …. another popular one...

32. Enticing readers

33. Enticing readers...

34. Enticing readers...

35. How to promote a Blog?

Promote via Facebook

36. How to promote a Blog?

Promote via your
emails:
Add a link and tag
line to email
signature file

37. Do's and Don'ts
DO:


Aim for diverse
range of topics
Mix “high” with “low”
brow
Don't


Get dismayed
about “low” impact
Focus on 1
measure for
success

38. Do's and Don'ts
DO:


Post about services
& “mundane”
Use Facebook &
Twitter to share
posts
DON'T


Shy away from
“newsy” posts
Be unrealistic about
social media use for
academic needs

39. Do's and Don'ts
DO:


Plan publishing on
day when you have
time to monitor
comments
See Comments as
opportunities to
engage
DON'T


See blogging as
simply
'broadcasting'
Rush commenting
or promotion of
posts – it shows!

40. Do's and Don'ts
DO:


Regard promotion
of posts as integral
part of blogging
Experiment and try
things
DON'T
Be cynical about
social media; you
might miss out on a
chance to connect
with some readers

41. Questions?
Now, later or via cg474@cam.ac.uk