Best China Blog Awards Winners : A Chinalyst Interview With Thomas Crampton

We continue with a series of interviews with the bloggers behind the blogs that won the Best China Blog Awards 2008 asking them to tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs. This time it's with Thomas as his blog  - "Thomas Crampton - China, Media and Technology as seen by a recovering journalist" - made it to 2nd place in the Best Personal Blog category.

Background

Blog : Thomas Crampton

Slogan : China, Media and Technology as seen by a recovering journalist.

About the blogger (from the blog) : Thomas Crampton worked as a correspondent for the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times for more than a decade, reporting from five continents, writing a column on Asia and covering Asian politics, economics and culture. [...] Currently based out of China, he is working with the founder of a major media company on entrepreneurial ventures. All views expressed on this blog are entirely personal. [...]

Blogging platform : Self-hosted Wordpress

Age : 41-50

Years blogging : 5

Years in China : 5-8 years

Originally from : New York, USA

Blog stats : Number of visitors seems to vary. I had more than 50,000 in November 2008 and 26,000 in December 2008.

 The interview

Q: What was the main motivating force for starting your own blog?

Retaining a voice and platform for writing once I left the International Herald Tribune/New York Times.

Q: What is your blog mainly about? Please tell us a little bit about the general topics you usually discuss in your blog.

My main focus is China, Internet and New Media as seen from Asia. That said, I never shy from writing about particular topics that fascinate me, such as antiquarian books, history, crazy stunts and the meaning of music.

Q: What does blogging mean to you? What importance or contribution does your blog have, if any, to yourself or the community?

I find it highly fulfilling to have direct interaction with people reading my blog. They may like what I write or hate it, but getting their honest response is highly rewarding. This is a very different experience from writing a story in a newspaper. We would get letters to the editor, but this was not a dialogue. I really enjoy the conversational tone of blogs.

Q: Did you experience any special or out of the ordinary events or interactions as a result of writing a blog?

Absolutely! I have met some fascinating people thanks to my blog. They send a note asking to meet and many of them have incredible stories. Often they wanted to know about me, but I end up doing a blog posting about them.

Q: How did your blogging help promote you personally? (either professionally, by reputation, additional direct/indirect income or similar)

The exercise of blogging has been mainly about maintaining the voice I had while working for major newspapers. The blog has been very effective at reaching the kinds of audiences interested the topics I am passionate about.

Q: How much freedom do you feel you have to discuss what you care about in your blog? Are some topics more sensitive than others? Do you include personal details and stories in your blog? Why?

I have total freedom to write about any topic on my blog. I choose not to disclose too much personal information, but personal thing inevitably end up on the blog, such as the time when I almost ended my marriage thanks to Facebook.

Q: How would you generally describe the Chinese expat blogosphere? Do you personally know any other China expat bloggers? In your opinion, what contribution or role does the China expat blogosphere have, if any?

I know a few other Chinese expat bloggers, most of whom I met thanks to blogging. Similar to journalists, they tend to be people who are fascinated by China and passionate about sharing. Their is a feeling of kindred spirit. What do China's expat bloggers contribute? I hope we all help give a more well rounded view of a nation that is often portrayed in one dimension.

Q: Do you have any favorite blogs about China you would like to recommend?

Too many! There are so many great ones. I have found Danwei and Shanghaiist among the best portals to discover new and interesting blogs.

Q: How did you first make the decision to arrive in China?

Having been based out of Southeast Asia, I felt I could not know the region until I knew a little bit about China.

Q: What do you think about life in China, the Chinese people and Chinese culture? How would you generally describe your experience in China?

Great! China is the most exciting place to live right now. My one concern, however, is the pollution. Nobody should be subject to breathing that toxic mix day after day.

Q: What advice would you give new bloggers?

Start writing about your passion. Now!

Q: What advice would you give someone considering coming to work, study or live in China?

You will have a great experience if you go in with an open mind and allow China to change you. Don't hold preconceived notions of China.

I recently met with Thomas Crampton and learned more about his new position with Ogilvy as the man incharge of "new-media", and his recent involvement with some interesting blogging related projects happening in HK and the China region. Thanks for the interview, Thomas, was nice meeting you, and good luck with Ogilvy and your future projects.