Note: I know Tracy Record of West Seattle Blog, and I consider her a friend. I’m trying not to let that affect my point here, but judge me harshly for I may sin.
You can find out what the West Seattle Herald (OK, at least one writer at) thinks of the West Seattle Blog by reading their recent editorial:
Instead of 3000 words about a community council meeting that was ‘live blogged’ with updates every seven minutes, wouldn’t you honestly prefer 300 words that tell you what happened and what was decided?
Well, apparently not.
While I have nothing against neighborhood newspapers in principle, I’m a little surprised by this particular tactic. Berating your customer is not a particularly bright way to get them to enjoy your product.
“Now Jimmy, you like asparagus.”
Works for Mom, not so much for newspapers.
The West Seattle Herald would do better to acknowledge that what Tracy Record is doing actually works. Once you admit that, it becomes a lot easier to do what you need to do: embrace the strategies that are working, and discard the ones that aren’t.
Eat Sleep Publish is a Seattle-based blog that explores the difficulties and opportunities currently facing the publishing industry. 
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