I got wind of The Massive Jamaica Blog via Facebook, one of of my friends shared an article from it and I followed my curiosity and was happily surprised. Now, when I visit new websites I always go to their About us Page first (as a Digital Marketing Strategist I eat my own dog food, as I am always advising clients to ensure that their About Us Page tells and sells site visitors on who you are and why do you have this site/business. Global data also shows that it tends to be the top 3 pages most viewed pages by new site visitors).
When I visited their About Us Page – there it was, their reason for being and doing. After they told me what the site was about and who it’s for – “a modern and youthful take on Jamaican lifestyle and culture. Written by young people for young people.” So in essence it’s what we brand and marketing people now label as a Millennial Blog, Media for Jamaican Millennials.
Then when I read some more – they had me smiling like a banshee when I read these words :
1. …”We have a no profanity, no news, no parties and no politics policy.” They had me at no parties.
2. …“to have a major international blog that is based in Jamaica, and to create jobs and career opportunities for young people by exposing them to non-traditional fields.” I was like doing my version of Oprah shouting YES! YES!
3. “We don’t just talk about the things that are produced by Jamaicans, we also talk about the things we’re exposed to as Jamaicans.”
Ahhh the purpose, the focus. LOVE IT!
The Founder is Brian Lawrence [Founder/Editor-in-Chief], who describes himself as someone who “spends most of his time designing graphics, watching TV shows, and listening to live music arrangements. Even though he majored in Computer Science in university, he decided to apply his skills and passions to various aspects of media design.”
Here is what I get from the Blog as I browsed the Blog Topics and he just got started.
- He understands that Jamaican lifestyle and culture is globally influential and there is power in laying it bare – the good, the cool, the weird, the funny.
- He’s not afraid to be fearless in the editorial – calling out the BS where he sees it.
- He has no problem being highly opinionated, in fact he clearly states it up front.
I would recommend that Jamaican/Caribbean and International brands keep an eye on the Massive Jamaica Blog – if they keep going, they could easily become a major online influencer and more than valuable for alignment and advertising.
You all know I’ve been a tick in our own Caribbean behind by calling for more Caribbean Blogs of Substance for a while. Now my definition of substance is clearly biased – but what I mean is that I wanted to see more ” thought provoking, agenda shifting blog media outlets. “
So while personally I was tired of seeing party, fashion and music news blogs done the same old way – I wanted to see us doing even those blog topics differently – it really is a challenge to step up our game, differentiate, be passionate and consistent.
There is nothing more powerful that a blogger, a Caribbean Blogger, who understands the power that a blog, as an online media platform has and leverage the hell out of it for themselves and their audience.
The Massive Jamaica– I’m expecting great things from you. Gwan do yuh thing!
