Microblogging: a new way to blog

The term microblogging refers to a method of communication that combines the key features of blogging and instant messaging. Microblogging allows users to compose short, snappy posts and messages and share them with a follower base online. Despite the rising popularity of microblogging platforms, its predecessor is also more widely used than ever. The main difference is simply that the content is more compressed with microblogging than in traditional blog posts.

Since the internet became a widely accessible tool in the 90s, blogging has been a popular method of sharing experiences, news, and information with people around the world. Fast-forward twenty years and we can now find bloggers specialising in all kinds of topics in the farthest reaches of the internet. Fashion and travel blogs are by far the most popular, with some bloggers in this sphere boasting millions of readers. But there is a blog for practically every subject imaginable, from astronomy to business, from art to extreme sports.

In contrast to traditional blogging, microblogging is distinguished by condensing the information into a microformat. The social media platform, Twitter is particularly well known for giving rise to this form of blogging. While it may not always be easy to summarise complex topics in 144 characters, the benefits of communicating in this way are clear to see; brief, snappy posts enable users to exchange information with a wide audience quickly and effectively. This is especially convenient for smartphone users, as the small screen size lends itself to creating short messages, rather than scrolling and composing lengthy articles.

Short posts (including the ever-popular tweets) can be published in a variety of formats, including the typical text and image formats as well as videos, audio messages and hyperlinks.

The microblogging trend emerged towards the end of the era of web 2.0, as traditional blogging started to incorporate various social media characteristics. The zeitgeist demanded a shorter, more direct form of blogging. Microblogging is essentially a method of creating short text messages for an online audience. It’s therefore a useful channel for fast and easy communication, and a way to inform a large group of people simultaneously about current news.

Microblogging has also become an important method of communication for universities and educational institutions. In recent years, a number of apps have been developed that allow researchers to discuss common interests and share exciting new discoveries. Using these, it’s possible to draw attention to a particular project and arouse the interest of fellow researchers. At some universities, microblogging is being used for more specific purposes: for example, regular short updates are being used to help students meet deadlines and promote their work, as well as keeping information and course materials relevant and up-to-date.

Some faculties even offer courses on microblogging. In this way, a backchannel is created for the students outside the seminar room. For example, Stephen Prothero, professor of Religion at Boston University, set himself the ambitious goal of using Twitter to summarise the characteristics of the eight major world religions, naturally, less than 140 characters per post.

What benefits are there to publishing your content on a microblogging provider, if a normal blog would also suffice? Here are just a few reasons why it’s worth using microblogging services like Twitter or Tumblr:

• Takes less time to create content: putting a long blog entry together takes time. Microblogging, on the other hand, is a different story altogether. The art of microblogging is expressing yourself concisely. When mastered, current events can be reported in real time, with only the core information being conveyed. In contrast, users expect a deeper discussion when reading a longer blog post. This, of course, takes more time.

• High density of information and sticking to the basics: microblogging is primarily aimed at the users of mobile devices. As smartphones and tablets are often used while on the go, the user has no time to scroll through pages of text. It’s therefore important to get to the point when reaching out to these users, and condense the essential information into short, cleverly-worded posts. Influenced by the presence of microblogging, shorter formats such as lists are becoming more and more popular in contemporary media, and most users are already used to content like this.

• More posts in less time: traditional blogging usually involves posting detailed articles, often with a few days between each new post. Microblogging, on the other hand, is the exact opposite: shorter, more frequent posts. This is exceptionally useful for those commentating on current affairs and events that change rapidly, including politics, sporting events, and celebrity news. Frequent, brief updates are therefore the best way to keep your finger on the pulse.

• Posting in real time: most microblogging platforms have been developed with a strong focus on simple and fast usability. Tweets, Instagram photos, and Tumblr posts can capture a fleeting moment, which can be lost in a long-winded text.

Microblogging platforms offer a simple way to exchange points of view and feedback with followers. Not only are they capable of spreading news quickly and easily, but users can also react to posts in real time. The reciprocal exchange between users takes place through comment functions, retweets, reblogs or forwarding. If content is strong and interesting, it will be spread through the community without the need for promotion, potentially even going viral.

Mobile hotspots and 4G means that more and more people can microblog remotely. It's far more convenient for users to send a tweet spontaneously using their smartphone, rather than wait to use their PC, which can be a lengthier, more cumbersome process. For many users, using a mobile device to write lengthy blog posts is inconvenient. Thanks to its quick and easy nature, microblogging is the ideal solution for posting on the move.

Nowadays, users want and expect short, regular updates on social media sites, particularly since many internet users now browse casually on their mobile devices while on the move. Due to developments in communication and technology, the way we consume information is now completely different from when print media had its heyday. One thing is certain: our average attention span is shorter than ever before – we tend to judge the quality of social media posts in seconds.