NOLA History Guy’s new connection to the Bayou Brief
Bayou Brief
I’m pleased to announce that I’m accepting a position with the Bayou Brief. Lamar’s dubbed me, Creative Content and Social Media Director.
I’ll be taking the lead on the publication’s social media presence. My main work is behind the scenes on improving the website’s reach in the Dark Arts of SEO. I’ll also be writing a bit for BB. We’ll be queuing up articles from NOLA History Guy and YatCuisine for initial publication on Bayou Brief.
NonProfit Journalism for Louisiana
It’s been two years now since Lamar White, Jr., founded Bayou Brief. It’s mission is simple, to be a nonprofit publication covering various newsworthy topics in Louisiana. BB produces serious work by serious writers. Lamar covers political stories at all levels, local, state, and national. Sue Lincoln writes on state government, particularly the Louisiana Legislature. Others offer content, both political and cultural, on a freelance basis.
Lamar will tell you, he’s a writer, not a marketer or a website person. Cayman Clevenger handles the business side of the operation, and we’ve got a website manager/webmaster. I’m not much of a marketer, but I’ve had some success with personal branding that I plan to bring to the team. The big thing now is, Bayou Brief is a good product that more people need to know about.
Social Media – Amplifying Bayou Brief
We have a presence on Twitter (@BayouBrief). On Facebook, we have a Bayou Brief Page and Group. So, Facebook’s current push is to keep people in groups. We’re targeting that. The Bayou Brief Group is growing, and we expect good/fun things from the members. What’s the difference? A Facebook “page” is the landing page/point for an organization/business/author/personality. Posts from followers of a page get shunted aside, allowing the owner to focus on branding. A “group” is a classic discussion forum. Members post and comment as they see fit. We moderate posts on our group, based on the rule, “Be nice or leave!” – otherwise, come talk.
We also have an Instagram presence, BayouBrief. Since Lamar, Cayman and I all have a certain disdain for memes, we’re going to have to see where IG goes for us.
The big thing now is that we’re working daily to amplify the publication’s presence and reach. Our content is good. We want more people to read it.
Creative Content
S. Carrollton Avenue bridge over the New Basin Canal. It was demolished when the canal was filled in, late 1940s.
As Creative Content Director, I’ll be the gatekeeper for pitches that aren’t hard news/politics. So, until now, “creative content” meant BB published non-political articles folks pitched to Lamar and filled in the gaps between the Serious Things that he and Sue Lincoln write. It’s been great stuff, like our recent story on the history of the shrimp cocktail. I’ll be writing pieces that I’d otherwise share on NOLA History Guy. We plan to get back to regular book reviews. Cayman and I will write food-related articles, on anything from burgers and pizza to the cuisine that shapes and defines the local scene. It’s time to bring the YatCuisine brand over to Bayou Brief.
Briefly Speaking – Bayou Brief Podcast
I’m also kicking Lamar’s butt about a regular podcasting schedule; we’re working out the format now. I’m thinking twice a month for now, expanding to weekly by the end of the year. Got ideas for segments? Let me know.
Food/Dining/Drinking/Cooking for nonprofit journalism
Menu from Lenfant’s on Canal Blvd, 1940s.
The YatCuisine brand is also coming to Bayou Brief. While we’re working out the permanent format, we’ll offer podcast content.
Bayou Brief food collab
This will be a collaborative effort, since we want to reach out beyond metro New Orleans. Pitch us restaurant reviews and items, particularly in other parts of the state.
Sports on Bayou Brief
Pelicans manager Jimmy Brown with two Loyola players, Moon Landrieu (l), and Larry Lassalle, 1948. From Baseball in New Orleans by S. Derby Gisclair.
We’re going to work on this. Initially, I want to bring in some of the local sports folks for the podcast. There are a lot of writers in town who are currently underemployed. So, maybe we can help each other out as we develop this. We’re nonprofit journalism, but we want to talk about Da Saints, Pelicans, other teams statewide. Dem Tigers. Also, our National Teams, and I guarantee I’ll sneak an Arsenal column in there at some point.
Cultcha!
St. John’s Eve on Magnolia Bridge
Clearly there’s more to Louisiana than what I’ve mentioned. Got an idea I haven’t mentioned here? Pitch it. Got something you think merits our attention, but you’re not a writer? Let me know.
Let’s have some fun!
I’m not doing things that aren’t fun. Therefore, I’m also following old, sage wisdom, that one should surround oneself with people smarter than you. #TeamBayouBrief is an exciting bunch, and we’re looking forward to expanding our offerings to you, the readers.
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