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DeafRead’s subscription has grown to 32 feeds, and Jared and I haven’t hightailed it to reach out to the blogging masses. We plan to. In little over two weeks, we invited over 5,500 (unique) visitors to DeafRead. With the badges’ help, DeafRead should harness and tie closer the Deaf Blogosphere, which at times feels scattered and even cliqued. The power is in the numbers, as they say. This blogosphere of ours and yours, with each blog’s echo, band into a single scream: See us!

Habit 4 of Stephen R. Covey’s bestseller, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” is this: “Think Win/Win”. I’ll tell you why DeafRead is exactly that: Win/Win.

Bloggers

Running a few blogs and websites, I know firsthand the challenges of getting word out. Word-of-mouth is one of the oldest–and effective– tools of advertising. Yet, there’s only so many people you can reach. I doubt I have discovered the far depths and corners of the deaf community–nor will I ever. The irony is the deaf community’s small size. Of course, not everyone has computers, or are they completely comfortable using them.

What’s a blogger to do if she or he has a voice to be heard? DeafRead isn’t the only answer, but I’ve seen evidence of DeafRead being part of the answer. DeafRead brings them together under one roof, if you will, for the readers’ convenience. And when it’s more convenient, more people shall gather under the one roof. Where there’s more readers, exposure presents itself for bloggers. Literally, opportunity has come knocking.

Readers

Today’s blog readers are likely to be professionals, working full-time jobs, students, stay-at-home mothers (or fathers, I may be one some day, who knows?). Many of our lifestyles are hastened to the point where we look for shortcuts to reap the most out of each day with least expense. Still wishing to keep on top of current issues, for example, Deafhood or Gallaudet’s President-elect, we cannot stand to waste time sifting through endless pages of blather.

Real Simple Syndication (RSS) isn’t quite to the rescue. The special feeds tells us if something new is added to a blog. But to know whether if it was worth your and my time to read was another question altogether.

Like I wrote, DeafRead is part of the answer. We have human editors who strive our best to filter what content should interest you. We have two human editors (Jared and myself, of course. We have had two folks express interest. We’ll be getting them onboard as soon as we can. If you are interested, let me know). Human editors dutifully check feeds throughout the day; maybe as many as between 10 to 20 times a day. We’re commited to bringing fresh content to readers.

Maybe I’m too hopeful that with the time DeafRead saves us, we can go farther into the lands of Deafhood–or whatever destination we wish for!

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Posted on July 31st, 2006 by tayler