Welcome Guest! Please Sign in or Create an Account
The leader in Industry News, BicycleRetailer.com
Subscribe Today!

Blogs

BRAIN Enters a Brave New Media World

BRAIN published its first piece about the industry entering the blogosphere in June 2005. Now, after a few years of watching from the bleachers, engaging in discussion about the practical applications of new media and fielding questions about when BRAIN is going to enter the fray, we’re finally jumping in.


I admit, I'm somewhat of a new media skeptic. I question the relevancy and longevity of blog posts that evaporate into the Internet ether. I wonder how prolific bloggers find the time to post to Twitter, Facebook and blogs throughout each day and who has time to read them. (Don’t you all have businesses to run and customers to serve?) And I worry about how our staff will be able to create fresh content that is outstanding and relevant.


But we can’t sit on the sidelines any longer. The recent presidential elections clearly illustrated the power of blogs like The Huffington Post in bringing political discourse to the masses. And industry pioneers including Interbike’s Rich Kelly, Masiguy Tim Jackson and Portland’s blogmaster Jonathan Maus have shown that the industry has embraced blog-style content.


But for dyed-in-the-wool print media folks like us, entering this space is a bit scary. It forces us to write on our feet, turn off (or at least turn down) the editorial filter and reveal a more personal side of the industry and of ourselves. Moreover, we have to figure out how to incorporate this free-flowing approach into what we already do well—covering industry news.


While we’re smart about publishing and savvy about news reporting, we’re not experts on this new media stuff. We’re just learning how to harness the power of blogs and multimedia tools to create fun and interesting content. In this space we’re newbies, just like many of you.


We’re going to learn as we go, figuring out what inspires you, our readers, to respond with enthusiasm or outrage.


As we navigate this brave new media world, we’re counting on you to share your comments and contribute to the online dialogue. Our goal is for this to become a venue for vibrant interactive discussion about what’s affecting the industry now.


We hope you’ll chime in.

  1. Bill Fields says
    February 4, 2009 at 6:00 am
    Thanks Marc and BRAIN staff for creating this opportunity for the industry to communicate among ourselves. Since we have no other means of doing so beyond this and other BRAIN offerings this is particularly appreciated. BF

  2. Tim Jackson says
    February 4, 2009 at 7:56 am
    Megan you already have heard all of my numerous ramblings and rants about blogs so I am super happy to see you guys and gals jumping in- of course. Looking forward to having you participating in the space- sincerely.

  3. Mark Graff says
    February 4, 2009 at 9:07 am
    Congratulations on the launch of your new BRAIN Blog! When's your Facebook page and Twitter microbog going to be announced? I know a certain publisher is in the background wondering "How will we monetize this?" Well you could ditch that print thing. That would save you a ton. Besides it's so old news. LOL! Hope ya' still have time for lunch rides.

  4. Laurel King says
    February 4, 2009 at 10:13 am
    Great job on the blog! I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with the Bicycle Industry through this blog and will look forward to participating!

  5. Yann Ropars says
    February 4, 2009 at 10:48 am
    Nice work and welcome in the social media sphere. Blogging is the mothership of your activity and as you said "It forces us to write on our feet turn off (or at least turn down) the editorial filter and reveal a more personal side of the industry and of ourselves." Social media is about engagement and higher purpose - Push marketing is facing the rise of immunity among consumers it's now time for pull marketing. It's always been about the user right? Best Yann http://extanz.com

  6. Rich Kelly says
    February 4, 2009 at 10:49 am
    Welcome Megan and BRAIN! Thanks for the nice mention btw. In the same vein I'd to thank both Tim and Jonathan as the two big inspirations to get the Interbike blog up and running back in '06. There was a conversation happening out there about us and we at least needed to be a part of it. Let's see what some 'legitimate media' people can do with this tool... Can't wait for Marc's first post!

  7. Donna Tocci says
    February 4, 2009 at 11:00 am
    Megan - great start to the BRAIN blog! You are a natural! Look forward to hearing from you and the rest of the team as time goes on. Bravo!

  8. Fritz says
    February 4, 2009 at 11:03 am
    Hurray! I appreciate the candor you already demonstrate about the scariness of stepping into the New Media chaos but I think it can be rewarding both personally and from a business perspective. I'm looking forward to more from you.

  9. Brian says
    February 4, 2009 at 11:10 am
    Excellent to see the next step in the evolution happening. I think this will be welcome progress and give more content and information to the industry in bite-sized bits. All options should be on the table right now. Good luck!

  10. Patrick VanHorn says
    February 4, 2009 at 11:16 am
    Very much looking forward to the blog posts! Congrats on the new medium Megan Marc & company.

  11. DL Byron says
    February 4, 2009 at 11:20 am
    Hello from Bike Hugger and welcome -- I think it was 2 years ago maybe 3 when you interviewed us about blogging and bikes in BRAIN. Yep 3 here it is: http://interbike.bikehugger.com/interbike/2006/09/your_daily_hugg.html

  12. Kiril The Cycling Dude says
    February 4, 2009 at 12:10 pm
    As one of the oldest BikeBlogs in the world the 6 year old Cycling Dude welcomes the new kid on the block with open arms. In fact in a small effort to make you feel more at home in your new environement I'm going to do what I'm sure many others will do...add you to my sidebar. ;-D

  13. Jonathan Maus says
    February 4, 2009 at 3:04 pm
    wow this is like a blogger reunion! hi everyone. I still remember that article in 2005. I think I titled it "Bike shops must start blogging" or something like that. Ahh the olden days. At any rate I am glad to see BRAIN finally stepped up. best of luck in making this a success. i'll be keeping tabs on it and we can chat more about it at the National Bike Summit.

  14. D*Pow says
    February 4, 2009 at 3:14 pm
    Welcome to the blogosphere it is like the Terrordome but with more Tina Turner.

  15. James Thomas says
    February 5, 2009 at 9:10 am
    Wow look at these comments! I'll echo what everyone else has said. It is really great to see that BRAIN has a blog now. It looks great so far. Keep it up; I am looking forward to more.

  16. Matt O'Toole says
    February 6, 2009 at 7:57 am
    Welcome to the land of the living! Maybe you can help wake the Bikeleague from their slumber. Tell 'em what an RSS feed is!

  17. Urban Jeff says
    February 8, 2009 at 6:16 pm
    Blogging will rot your brain.

  18. Steve says
    February 17, 2009 at 12:29 pm
    Welcome BRAIN to the blogger world.

Leave your Comment here

Comments
* Required Field

Subscription Ad Blog Page

Today is Thursday, Sep. 02, 2010
Okole Stuff Boehmke