Niche Blogs

Researcher Olaf Brescia joined the show to discuss the unique challenges he has encountered blogging for a niche audience. His blog explores and assesses the way America spends money on its military, specifically in relation to US air power and its purported capabilities. Olaf notes that he is most proud of the fact that he includes numerous first-hand accounts as a part of his research and that his blog has received compliments from Boston University Professor and Author Andrew Bacevich.

Olaf explains that his blog posts fly in the face of the American narrative, where our air power has become legendary and unquestioned. Olaf also talks about the negative feedback he has received in making bold and unpopular statements. One of the main reasons he decided to start his own blog was the cyber bullying experiences he had when posting his comments on internet bulletin boards. Olaf says he spends a great deal of time on employing logically sound arguments and found the cyber bullying to be juvenile and unproductive.

Olaf seeks to engage others on the topics he covers with his blog, but has found it difficult to find his audience, such is the inherent issue with niche blogging. He primarily markets his blog via a distribution list of editors, political groups, and various news outlets.