Anne Marie Nichols is author of a freelance writing blog about The Write Stuff and contributes this post about the demise of gatekeepers, the web, and some famous self-publishers that will surprise you.
Goodbye to the Gatekeepers?
by Anne Marie Nichols, The Write Stuff, guest author
Thomas Frey in his Denver Post article, "Gatekeepers on info highway disappearing", brings new prospective to blogging and the new media:
Enterprising people have begun to find the keys to unlocking their future, and it’s a future that doesn’t include the barriers provided by gatekeepers. Publishing an article no longer requires the approval of an editor. Articles can easily be published on blogs or Web pages without ever needing someone’s approval. Videos and podcasts can be posted on iTunes or YouTube 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The true impact is far more significant than any of us can imagine.
The no-gatekeeper lifestyle means you can create whatever product you want and sell it to people around the world without ever having to get someone’s blessing.
While he does have a point here, there has been plenty of instances in history when there weren’t gatekeepers. After all, wasn’t Ben Franklin the ultimate self-publisher? Like bloggers, when you’re the editor and the writer, little stands in your way.
Then there’s the example of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses protesting the sale of indulgences. As legend tells us, in 1517 he posted a copy on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The 95 Theses were translated from Latin into German, printed, and copied on printing presses throughout Europe. Within two weeks, word had spread throughout Germany, within two months, Europe.
An early example of pre-Internet blogging, linking, social networking, and viral marketing? Or does history show us that it’s all been done before, except that it took months, not seconds, to get the word out.
About the author Anne Marie Nichols:
Before I had kids, I was a marketing copywriter and web content writer. Now I’m a work-at-home-mom trying to tame chaos on a daily basis.
Figuring I should use my degree in journalism, I started to freelance write and blog in 2004. I mostly write web content and blogs, though I also do press releases, newsletters, brochures, e-newsletters and marketing plans. You can view all my blogs and websites links at The Mother of Many Blogs (www.motherofmanyblogs.com). My online portfolio can be found at The Write Spot (www.the-write-spot.com) my freelance writing blog.
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