Mary Jo Foley
All about Microsoft
“No other company in tech space matters as much as Microsoft.”
All about Microsoft
“No other company in tech space matters as much as Microsoft.”Mary Jo Foley must be setting some kind of record for Microsoft- watching. A technical journalist since graduating from Simmons College in 1983, she first interviewed Bill Gates for a cover story in Electronic Business magazine a year later. It was her first Microsoft story and, at the time, she confesses she didn’t know much about software or operating systems. But she quickly got herself up to speed. She joined PCWeek (now eweek) in 1991, and the magazine moved her to San Francisco. Foley was asked to take over as the magazine’s Microsoft reporter when the previous reporter quit. She agreed and moved to Seattle in 1993, where she has been a full-time Microsoft watcher ever since.
Mary Jo Foley’s training and experience as a print journalist helped make her one of the premier technical journalists, and continue to serve her as a professional blogger. There is much one can learn from her experiences. Here are some of the highlights that will interest bloggers of all types:
Blogging is unique in that it offers a platform where one is free to admit biases, rather than trying to hide them as most conventional journalists do. In this sense, it promotes complete honesty.
As a blogger, you have more of a vested interest in making your posts interesting and fun than a journalist writing a news story.
Coming up with something to write about every day can be difficult. Store up posts that aren’t news-driven, for the times when you don’t have anything new to say.
It is important to take time away from blogging; otherwise, you’ll limit your perspective.
Look for opportunities to promote yourself and your blog, and don’t ignore cross-media promotion. When possible, create promotional opportunities.
Unless you have a good reason, don’t hide your identity in blogs. You’re more likely to receive a better reception as yourself.
Instead of imitating other bloggers, be yourself. If you’re tempted to steal someone’s post, link to it instead.
If you make a mistake, admit it, accept it, and move on.
Be polite. Avoid ageism and sexism in posts. You’ll get more people to consider your product or
viewpoint with compliments than insults.
Credentials aren’t necessarily an indicator of quality in blogging.
Mary Jo Foley’s training and experience as a print journalist helped make her one of the premier technical journalists, and continue to serve her as a professional blogger. There is much one can learn from her experiences. Here are some of the highlights that will interest bloggers of all types:
Blogging is unique in that it offers a platform where one is free to admit biases, rather than trying to hide them as most conventional journalists do. In this sense, it promotes complete honesty.
As a blogger, you have more of a vested interest in making your posts interesting and fun than a journalist writing a news story.
Coming up with something to write about every day can be difficult. Store up posts that aren’t news-driven, for the times when you don’t have anything new to say.
It is important to take time away from blogging; otherwise, you’ll limit your perspective.
Look for opportunities to promote yourself and your blog, and don’t ignore cross-media promotion. When possible, create promotional opportunities.
Unless you have a good reason, don’t hide your identity in blogs. You’re more likely to receive a better reception as yourself.
Instead of imitating other bloggers, be yourself. If you’re tempted to steal someone’s post, link to it instead.
If you make a mistake, admit it, accept it, and move on.
Be polite. Avoid ageism and sexism in posts. You’ll get more people to consider your product or
viewpoint with compliments than insults.
Credentials aren’t necessarily an indicator of quality in blogging.