InsideVandy Blogs

N e e dA C a n v a s ?

I n t r o d u c i n gBl o g s b yI n s i d e Va n d y . c o m

Introducing Blogs Henry David Thoreau once said, “The world is but a canvas to our imagination.� This year, InsideVandy is expanding to include a series of blogs and we want to offer a canvas limited only by the imagination of its creators. Averaging over 50,000 unique visitors a month, InsideVandy provides a unique gateway for bloggers interested in creating a blog and expressing their ideas. These blogs are intended to create a new community of dialogue and we want it to be led by the diverse groups of voices in the greater Vanderbilt campus.

Concepts for blogs can address any topic and may be created by any member of the Vanderbilt community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. By becoming an official InsideVandy blogger, the site producer gains access to the greater resources available to the larger site. Bloggers can request the services of a photo staff, recording studios, and video team.

This guide is intended to explain how you can create a blog, how they will operate, and the steps needed to become one of the selected concepts. All people interested in being apart of this emerging community are recommended to apply.

What you need to know Structure

The blogs will exist separately from the InsideVandy site structure and take advantage of the popular blog formats of Wordpress and Tumblr. This will allow the blogs to create their own distinctive identity from the site while benefiting from association with InsideVandy. Due to the simplicity and ease of use, we would recommend using the popular blog websites of Wordpress and Tumblr as the basis for the blog construction.

Additionally, having familiarity with these platforms before submitting a proposal is suggested. If the blog creator can exhibit the skills needed to build the blog from alternative methods, an exception to this guideline may be allowed. Blogs that already exist are still eligible to be part of the new community. Following the announcement of the five selected blogs there will be a 10-day design and development period for each site to reach its final form ending with the sites going live.

Application Process

All individuals interested in creating a blog must fill out the application on InsideVandy (insidevandy.com/blogs) before January 28th at midnight. The submitted proposal should be as comprehensive and cohesive as possible. After all submissions have been received, the committee will review the entries and select the five best proposals. We are looking for blogs that have a creative concept, an appeal to Vanderbilt community, and high quality original content. The selected proposals will be announced on January 30th. Applications for the blogs will be open to any member, group of members, and organizations of the Vanderbilt community.

Partnerships

By becoming an official InsideVandy blogger, the site producer gains access to the greater resources of Vanderbilt Student Communication. These include use of Studio C recording studio, access to the Hustler Photography staff, and partnerships with the InsideVandy video team. Additionally, the blog will gain greater exposure with association to the larger main site. With these resources, we believe that any blog will have the tools necessary to expand its reach, direction, and content.

If you have any questions feel free to email blogs@insidevandy.com or attend our interest meeting on January 21th at 5 p.m. in the Sarratt Newsroom behind Last Drop Café.

Important Dates* January 1st -- Applications open for submission January 21st at 5 p.m. – Interest meeting in Sarratt Newsroom (behind Last Drop Café) January 28th at midnight - Applications closed for submission January 30th - Announcement of selected blogs January 30th to February 9th - Construction period February 11th – Blogs Go Live *Dates are subject to change. Prior notice will be given.