I'm interested in seeing some examples - what you've shared is very valuable. As we look to increase our blog content, THIS type of feedback is what we need to keep in mind!

Thanks & keep these suggestion/comments coming...

I think these are very good suggestions.  I also believe if we provide a link, we should at a minimum summarize the content from the link.  

Overlawyered is one example that comes to mind. I really want the link to go to the story not the blog generally. It is not convenient for my users to be directed to the main page of the blog. Thank you.

Attached is an example of a blog post in which we are REALLY interested. There is, however, no contact information or description. I am attaching a downloaded version and a screenprint for your information.

This is the second attachment.

I agree that blog post links should go directly to the blog rather than a general blog area.  Indexing/categorizing or emphasizing tags of the blog will make searches more valuable.

On another topic.  I am brand new here and the captcha code is VERY difficult for me to read at times.

Here is a specific example of a blog post with a GREAT title and very little detail relating to the title. I also do not see a link back to the blog/original source of the information:

Copyright 2010 Newstex LLC

All Rights Reserved

Newstex Web Blogs

Copyright 2010 BusinessCenter.TV

BusinessCenter.TV

May 29, 2010 Saturday 4:00 PM EST

LENGTH: 39 words

HEADLINE: Symantec Expands Security to Non-PC Devices

BODY:

View Video May 29, 2010 (BusinessCenter.TV delivered by Newstex) -- 05/29/2010 Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC) will expand its Norton security technology to smartphones and non-pc internet devices.

View the video.

Newstex ID: BSCT-9077-45542299

NOTES: The views expressed in transcripts distributed by Newstex and its re-distributors ("Video on Demand Transcripts") are solely those of the speaker expressing such views in the related video and not necessarily the views of Newstex or its re-distributors.  Video on Demand Transcripts containing audio expressions from such speakers are generated using computerized methods that inevitably are subject to technical limitations, and thus are provided "AS IS", with no warranties, and confer no rights.  The material and information provided in Video on Demand Transcripts are for general information only and should not, in any respect, be relied on as professional advice. No content in such Video on Demand Transcript is "read and approved" before it is posted.  Accordingly, neither Newstex nor its re-distributors make any claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained therein or linked to from such transcripts, nor take responsibility for any aspect of such link-to content.  All content in Video on Demand Transcripts shall be construed as speaker-based content and commentary.  Accordingly, no warranties or other guarantees is offered as to the quality of the opinions, commentary or anything else offered on such Video on Demand Transcript.  Reader's comments reflect his or her individual opinion and publication within Video on Demand Transcripts shall not infer or connote an endorsement by Newstex or its re-distributors of such reader's comments or views.  Newstex and its re-distributors expressly reserve the right to delete posts and comments at its and their sole discretion.

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

COMPANY: SYMANTEC CORP (95%) SYMANTEC CORP

TICKER: SYMC (NASDAQ) (95%) SYMC (NASDAQ)

INDUSTRY: NAICS511210 SOFTWARE PUBLISHERS (95%)

LOAD-DATE: May 29, 2010

Thanks for the various comments (and the idea) Jlapac.  I think it's best if I offer up a response & visual (attachment)to answer a few of the comments above.

LN’s content partner Newstex aggregates nearly 5,000 blogs (including Overlawyered.com) vis-à-vis a thorough vetting system.  If you go to lexis.com or nexis.com and look up the term ‘overlawyered’ the result set brings back several hundred entries; this is consistent with what Newstex receives from Overlawyered.com and then passes on to LN.  

So when you see a ‘short’ entry, it is simply the totality of the content that has been provided to LN (e.g. the 87 word attachment below)

Also, since this is licensed, third party content, we are obligated to place the disclaimer (as long as it may be…) on each blog entry, no matter the length.

Posted on behalf of Jonathan Hoy Director of Global Content Management

LN now also carries Twitter feeds (aka Politwits) from a 250+ congressmen/women and 80+ Federal agencies: (see attachment)

Posted on behalf of Jonathan Hoy Director of Global Content Management

Jlapac, to your comment re: Blog Content on Wed, Jun 2 2010 12:47 PM (see attachment)

Note the section that I’ve highlighted in red (i.e. View Video and View the video) – these are hypertext links that allow a customer to open a daughter window and view a video associated with the headlines.  It’s a richer, interactive content experience for our customers now that we’ve added video to the LN service.  

It was GREAT to hear what YOU the consumers have to say about the content and products LN provides.  I look forward to seeing comments on this idea and others soon.

Posted on behalf of Jonathan Hoy, Director of Global Content Management

1. I have no problem with the Newstex disclaimer and I apologize if that is the impression that I gave. My point was that, in some cases, the disclaimer was longer than the content of the blog.

2. Again I want to encourage you to put a direct link (or require Newstex to do it) to the actual blog post rather than a generic link to the blog itself. Below is another example of where the link in the Lexis content does not link to the actual post. It is even worse in this example, because the link takes the user to the NY version of the blog rather than the SF version! The link is: http://ny.curbed.com/

3. You wrote "LN’s content partner Newstex aggregates nearly 5,000 blogs (including Overlawyered.com) vis-à-vis a thorough vetting system.  If you go to lexis.com or nexis.com and look up the term ‘overlawyered’ the result set brings back several hundred entries; this is consistent with what Newstex receives from Overlawyered.com and then passes on to LN."

LN is a large company and we want to reap the benefits of that. One of the benefits, as I see it, is that you need to require a certain level of content be provided to you. If you tell the blog or Newstex that they need to provide direct links and complete blog posts or you won't pay for the particular entries, Overlawyered and Newstex will have to pay attention, because it affects their bottom line. The number of Overlawyered stories does not matter if my users have to click a link to a general blog address and then scroll through to find the relevant story. If I know this is the case, I will not select those blog posts to be included in my newsletters (via Publisher). It isn't about providing MORE content in all cases; it is about providing QUALITY content. Blogs should be held up to similar standards. I think it is GREAT to include blog information, but not if it is arduous to find. LN has set up an expectation for full text. Please provide that for blogs as well.

4. I am taking the time to provide ideas to help you think outside of the box and improve your service and content. I already, in many cases, understand the challenges you are facing. I would like you to take my comments and think outside the box or push the envelope with your vendors. I am not that interested in what you are doing now, though occasionally it does help me understand that point from which you are starting. Please push Newstex to do better by providing more content or eliminate partial posts from your content. Your service and theirs can always be improved. It may not be easy or quick, but it can be done.

Thank you.

Example for #2 above:

Copyright 2010 Newstex LLC

All Rights Reserved

Newstex Web Blogs

Copyright 2010 Curbed SF

Curbed SF

June 8, 2010 Tuesday 1:15 PM EST

LENGTH: 217 words

HEADLINE: Politicking: Election Day Melee

BYLINE: Susie Cagle

BODY:

Jun. 8, 2010 (Curbed delivered by Newstex) --

[Polling place via Flickr photog Steve Rhodes.]

As you get out to the polls, or sit at your desk remembering crap, you need to get out to the polls, we just wanted to highlight a few local and statewide propositions of note on today's ballot. Prop B would allow for $412 million in bonds to fund the construction of new municipal buildings in Mission Bay, plus retrofitting of other run-down firehouses and the firefighting water system. Prop G would stipulate that Transbay Terminal be the last stop on the California High Speed Rail Line -- when that thing appears in what, 2050? Yeah, okay, we'll go with it. And lastly, if passed, the new statewide Prop 13 would prohibit tax assessors from raising property tax rates if new construction was done for the purpose of seismic retrofits. Because Prop 13 hasn't done enough for California already!

But our favorite is of course Proposition F, the "Renters Financial Hardship" measure, which would provide for temporary exemptions from rent hikes for tenants whose wages drop 20 percent or more. Evil renters looking for handouts, or a humane thing to do in the worst economic climate since the Great Depression? To the comments!

· San Francisco County Propositions [Smart Voter]

Newstex ID: CRBD-5114-45865495

NOTES: The views expressed on blogs distributed by Newstex and its re-distributors ("Blogs on Demand®") are solely the author's and not necessarily the views of Newstex or its re-distributors. Posts from such authors are provided "AS IS", with no warranties, and confer no rights. The material and information provided in Blogs on Demand® are for general information only and should not, in any respect, be relied on as professional advice. No content on such Blogs on Demand® is "read and approved" before it is posted. Accordingly, neither Newstex nor its re-distributors make any claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained therein or linked to from such blogs, nor take responsibility for any aspect of such blog content. All content on Blogs on Demand® shall be construed as author-based content and commentary. Accordingly, no warranties or other guarantees will be offered as to the quality of the opinions, commentary or anything else offered on such Blogs on Demand®. Reader's comments reflect their individual opinion and their publication within Blogs on Demand® shall not infer or connote an endorsement by Newstex or its re-distributors of such reader's comments or views. Newstex and its re-distributors expressly reserve the right to delete posts and comments at its and their sole discretion.

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

GEOGRAPHIC: SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA (75%) KALIFORNIEN (75%)

LOAD-DATE: June 8, 2010