"The New Influences" Response to Intro and Ch. 1

When I looked at the book list for this class and received them all in the mail, I did not understand how a class about social media could have so much supporting text.  Soon after starting the read the introduction and first chapter in The New Influences though, I realized there is so much more to the world of social media then I thought.  Mr. Gilliin writes in a conversational and easy-to-read way that makes reading for this class enjoyable. I have learned so much just from the first 17 pages of this book and the first 18 from Engage.

The thing that stuck out the most to me in the first part of Mr. Gillin's book was the fact that he immediately admitted that he was wrong.  He first gave a quote that he had published about social media and that it would soon  see its downfall.  Within the next two sentences of the introduction he states "I have never been more wrong about anything."  I feel this is a such a great way for an author to connect with the audience.  It puts him on a level playing field with his readers by admitting his mistakes.  Many authors would leave their faults out or glaze over them to make themselves look better.  The way Mr. Gillin handled the situation automatically made me respect him.

In chapter one the different types of blogs are discussed. I had no idea there were 15 different types of blogs! I honestly thought a blog was a blog, was a blog. What helpful information to have though when entering the world of blogging like I am.  To know that different formats and styles have to be used when writing different kinds of blogs will only increase my credibility in the blogging world.

While the author asserted his credibility to by acknowledging his shortcomings, I will be able to assert my credibility with my blog by using the proper format and having the basic skill set needed to be a successful blogger.