Appartment Building, Concepcion, Chile

I didn’t take action right away however, and when I did sit down to write (that is, to gather data and potential blog links) I learned the building code aspects of the story had already been well covered. It was a good idea, shared by many and developed quickly online. These writers had produced timely news-based posts for their blogs. I hadn’t.
 
Although this blog, Building Content, does address current events and trends, it is not intended to be a news blog, per se. News reporting, aggregation, and commentary are popular blog types, but Building Content has a different objective; it is specifically devoted to offering coaching and content to fellow architectural bloggers. The earthquake in Chile was no longer news, but it still held a story.
 
As I looked at how others were covering the earthquake, I saw a range of writers’ insights. The facts of the event were set (other than the rising death count, which is the human aspect that trumps all other data) but each writer beheld – or imposed – a different perspective on the story.
 
In my evaluation of blog coverage of the Chilean quake and building codes, I found the more pertinent theme for readers here:
 

A professional blog should manifest the writer’s a unique point of view.

 
In light of this, let me show you how five different bloggers have approached the building code aspects of the Chilean earthquake and presented the story to their readers in a unique way: 

USA Today – Lessons learned should be lessons applied; “I look at the reports of collapsing bridges and highways in Chile and worry what would happen here.”

The Huffington Post - The significance of preparedness; “No living Haitian had experienced a quake at home when the Jan. 12 disaster crumbled their poorly constructed buildings.”

Treehugger – A refutation of “the Libertarian point of view (that) building codes are evil and an intrusion.”
 
 Seattle Times – A look at the socioeconomic context of the building codes; ”Poverty is what ultimately kills most people during an earthquake”

News busters – Exposing a political activist’s ”gotcha” quote about Haiti’s lack of building codes.
 

When you initiate a professional blog post be accurate with the facts and details, of course; but press beyond the raw data. Deliver your experience and expertise as well. Whether personally or professionally, share your unique point of view as you write. If you engage your audience and promote dialogue, your blog will be richer and your reader may, in time, become your client.

One of the oft-repeated bits of advice shared on line, especially when it comes to blogging, is to be authentic.

• From a branding point of view, “To truly be yourself means to have no competition.”
• From a coaching standpoint; “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
• From a writing position; “Write what you know!”

The call to authenticity is not new to the Internet. We’ve been encouraged to embrace and proclaim our individuality all our lives, from Mr. Rodgers to Dr. Pepper. And long before that was the Shakespearean adage;

 “to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

Because the Internet was suspected early as being populated by unsavory scammers, schemers and predators, and because even those with good intent start out online as unsubstantiated, we bloggers need to strive for transparency. This work can be subtle at times. Honestly, it is perhaps easier to misrepresent oneself online than it is to be whole, accurate and true – hence the repeated calls to be authentic.

•   Α  &  Ω   •

I’ve said all that to say this – my authentic self is more than merely my brand, “Architect and Author.” I am these things specifically as a follower of Christ, as a new man created in His image. The scriptures identify Jesus as the builder and maker of all things and as the author and finisher of our faith. It is my calling to reflect these specific aspects of His nature – when I design and write professionally I intentionally do so to honor God and to serve others.

There is a wonderful line in the movie Chariots of Fire, when Eric Liddell explains to his missionary-minded sister about his calling as a world class runner, “God has made me for a purpose, for China; but He has also made me fast, and when I run I feel His pleasure.” In that vein I believe God has made me to express his creativity, and to share in His pleaseure through designing and writing. Architect and Author.

That is who I am, authentically. To downplay it would be untrue to myself and to my God. To embrace and proclaim it moves me toward the goal of being “not… false to any man.”

Have you thought through your calling, your mission, your purpose? I encourage you to do so and integrate the unique individual who you truly are into all you do online. And please, as always, feel free to comment here.