Celebrating the 3000th edition of TheMarioBlog

A landmark moment today for TheMarioBlog.

First, I would like to thank all of you who let us be part of your day when you come to join me in what are usually reflections and observations of the world around me.

For that, I am extremely grateful.

I admit it is not easy to write a daily blog.

It is not possible to be brilliant and groundbreaking each time in our daily deliberations.

My formula for TheMarioBlog has always been a simple one: I observe my surroundings. I take a look at the work people in the media are doing and I put the spotlight on products that deserve consideration. Sometimes it’s a new app, or a recently created product in whichever platform. Sometimes I interview experts who can help us understand the fast changing environment of the media. Some days we go deeply into a subject, other days our observations are just about a Tweet or Instagram version of a story. Short or long, I try to make it interesting and I have no pretense that anything published here is in the category of an essay or formal academic paper.

That, to me, is what makes TheMarioBlog accessible. It is my daily conversation with you. It could be a What’s App text exchange, or we could be sitting across each other at Starbucks, or perhaps seated next to each other on a Lufthansa flight somewhere.

That’s the spirit of TheMarioBlog.

How it all began

As we publish this 3000th edition today, I turned to Ron Reason, my friend and colleague and the one who inspired me to write a blog. I remember the moment precisely. We were both working on a project in Lagos, Nigeria. It was at the Lagos Airport lounge, when we both were preparing to return home, that Ron looked at me, as we both sipped bubbly, and suggested that I should write a blog.

“I think that people would be interested in your ideas, your musings, and it should be in the form of a daily blog,” he said.

At first I must have looked shocked, but then, during the long flight, I gave the thought some consideration, and here we are today. Here is how Ron remembers that moment:

Well, you know I get a kick out of recalling your first reaction to my suggestion that you blog. You said: “NO WAY. Blogging just seems like such an indulgence, so much word vomit from people who have nothing better to do.” Well, good thing I persisted. We know some of your posts have gotten thousands of hits, so, at least for a while, someone has benefitted from reading along the way.

It’s only natural that I would turn to Ron Reason today to remind him of what we are celebrating. But I also wanted to get his take on the state of blogs in the current environment: are blogs as effective today as when he inspired me to write TheMarioBlog?

Here are some of Ron’s thoughts

-On the state of blogging today

Today the thinking often seems to be: Blogging is OUT. It’s too much work for people to read. (Maybe to write, too!) Tweets are fine, just a few characters, get your pithy thought out there and move on.

–Substance versus snippets

My problem with that thinking is, there is little chance for substance in a Tweet. And you are not working and living in the fashion world, where a photo and caption may suffice. You are in two worlds that suggest more substance is occasionally called for: journalism (or storytelling, if you prefer) and academia. Publishers have looked to you for your perspective gathered in challenging projects around the world; students and teachers look to you for your observations on teaching styles and curricula development. (“WHYYYY are people still focused on teaching print design?”)

-Where is it at today?

Today I would recommend, yes, still blog, but perhaps do it in the form of one good weekly read (hello, “Mario’s Monday Musings”?), or a wrap-up like an email blast? Quick hits can be handled on Twitter or Instagram. I might also suggest that you post (or link) any blog entries on LinkedIn, which now seems to be the place for industry insight of all types. The original or a duplicate post can still remain on your own site, for archiving and search purposes, but LinkedIn seems to be where everyone hangs out for industry advice these days.

What next for TheMarioBlog?

Good advice from Ron Reason. Indeed, we follow a ritual. After publishing each blog daily, I usually turn to Tweeter, Linkedin and Facebook to promote the content of the blog and attract readers who may not be part of my regular audience here.

For now, we will continue to have fun with TheMarioBlog, discussing a variety of topics as we have for the first 3000 editions. Sometimes the blog post can be profound. Often it is not. It is what it is. I believe in serendipity and I apply it here. Meanwhile, we are contemplating a new rethinking of the Garcia Media website as the industry continues to change at a rapid pace and we are often amazed by the speed and scope of transformation.

Again, thanks for tuning in. Let me know what you think of the blog, and, please, send your suggestions for topics you would like to read more about. Send your comments and ideas to mario@garciamedia.com

My Story already available for pre-order

The good news is that you can now pre-order your copy of my new mobile book, The Story.

Order here:

https://thaneandprose.com/shop-the-bookstore?olsPage=products%2Fthe-story

TheMarioBlog post #3000

The Mario Blog

How it all began

Here are some of Ron’s thoughts

What next for TheMarioBlog?

My Story already available for pre-order