Light Within

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Local blog context
Sunday, 8 June 2025

Blogs initially started as archives for web links on the Internet. Users could place important links on blogs to be referred and read later. Overtime blogging has matured as a phenomenon and one can see meaningful and useful blogs on any subject online. Blogsphere has become a very strong voice; vibrant, living and ever growing.

Pakistan blogsphere (blogs about Pakistan by local bloggers and those bloggers who are living abroad) has created its own identity that is mostly political and or personal. Where personal blog create social harmony, well knit community and peace, political blogs add to the positive image we need so much, more so in online world. Given the strength of powerful international media and in the face negative content, there has always been a lack of local content. Thanks to able Pakistani bloggers that they are adding meaningful local content in their blogs and that contextual content not only answers some of what mostly ill informed foreign media says but also add to the positive image.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, June 08, 2025, ,

Blog in haste, repent in leisure
Monday, 28 April 2025

The Internet is a newer platform characterized by a large, open, public network where people interact with people worldwide without any barriers like geography, culture, age, social class, or gender. It is unlike the real world, where people with their own identities come together face to face. Online, users are a little less perceptive about their identities.

Having an identity is not a new concept. Everyone has had at least one since the dawn of civilization, ascribed identity. Anthropologists and sociologists have been discussing different aspects of identity ever since. But identity has never been a general problem until now.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, April 28, 2025, ,

Have a Blog or a Printing Press
Monday, 3 March 2025

As someone passionate about blogging, I believe everyone should have one. But, let's break it down. For marketers, PR professionals, writers, and anyone looking to share ideas or promote products/services, blogging is a no-brainer. It's easier, cheaper, and more convenient than traditional methods. However, blogging's benefits extend far beyond these groups. Anyone with experiences to share, stories to tell, or a desire to document their thoughts can benefit from blogging.

I once suggested to a diplomat that they start a blog. In today's digital age, it's surprising that more diplomats don't have blogs. After all, even presidents (like those of Iran and the USA) have blogs.

In an era where digital communication is key, I'd argue that blogs are essential for diplomats and foreign department officials. Anyone listening?

In conclusion, if you can't have a blog, you should at least have a printing press. The point is, sharing your ideas and perspectives with the world is crucial – and blogging is one of the most effective ways to do so.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, March 03, 2025, ,

Corporate Blogging
Friday, 14 February 2025

What I have learnt about corporate blogging is this: Online consumers in 2020 are not impressed simply by a professional looking website or a blog bash. A typical online shopper would do hours of research before making a purchase. Informed consumers want to read about what they are interested in, ask questions, get advice and more. None of this is possible on a simple website. A blog can do all of this.

A blog helps enormously in getting into the top search engine results. Why? Because blogs by their very nature are updated frequently, and search engines prefer fresh content. Search engines prefer sites which have a lot of incoming links. Blogs can get many more of these incoming links than regular websites because people are more likely to link to information (blogs) than commerce (website). Blogs as opposed to websites have a large and growing content. A clearly visible link from the blog to the main website is very effective form of advertising.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, February 14, 2025, ,

‘Blogocracy’: Tri-city UnConference Lahore Camp
Saturday, 4 January 2025

Pakistan blogosphere is growing fast. Thanks to the Second the Annual Pakistan Blog Awards and the series of tri-city UnConferences aimed to bring leadership to Pakistan’s New Media voices that the awareness is also growing. Pakistani bloggers now have a very loud voice in this din.

Latest, presentation of awards and UnConference session (last of the series ths year) held in Lahore on Jan 4, 2012 in FAST is a testimony to how blogs have become mainstream. In the UnConference, the group of able panelists, who seemed to be in know if the new opportunities being presented by social media - highlighted the role of blogs in all fields of human activities while most of the audience live streamed every thing discussed there. Here are my suggestions for effective and intelligent blogocracy (read democracy) in a very local context:
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, January 04, 2025, ,

My blog timeline
Thursday, 28 November 2024

Now: what comes through AI
Earlier: it was actually my writings, LOL.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, November 28, 2024, ,

What is a Blog?
Monday, 25 November 2024

What is a blog? How is blogging phenomenon still evolving in Pakistan? Lack of content in Pakistan blogsphere and how quality local content can help create a new image of Pakistan? This review of Pakistan blogsphere appeared in Pakistan Armed Forces' Monthly Magazine Hilal (Urdu section) in May 2011 issue.


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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, November 25, 2024, ,

Why blog?
Sunday, 25 August 2024

Why do you blog? I asked bloggers this question. First, I posted the question on my own blog Light Within and then emailed the post to bloggers soliciting their comments on the post. Earlier, I have been scouting blogsphere in an effort to find out different motives for blogging.


Some 20 bloggers posted their comments and almost same numbers replied through email, pointing to posts on their own blogs answering my question.Here is a kaleidoscope of opinions from bloggers that I was able to contact and read their posts.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, August 25, 2024, ,

Why Army should blog?
Wednesday, 21 August 2024

I remember the days when army soldiers were told not to disclose the locations where they happened to be serving. I also remember seeing those signs on bridges saying ‘photography is prohibited’. No more. Things have changed now. The advent of technologies like GPS or cellular phones has changed the way we work and also our priorities. It is in this milieu that I say blogger outreach and social media influence can be of great advantage to any organization including Pakistan Army. Why else other armies have dedicated army blog networks where soldiers, family members, friends, and supporters can post videos, images, and written stories?

By getting into blogging and other social media channels, the army can pick up useful insights to successfully and directly connect with people. Blogging can encourage authenticity and transparency to build credibility. Social influence is very much relevant to any army today, more so to the Pakistan Army which derives its strength from masses. This may also help the army to actively listen to those strong opinionated advocates and those “realists, liberals, progressives, revolutionaries” that are present out there in the blogosphere.

It is about time that the Pakistan Army should include blogging in its communication strategy and fill the huge void that exists. Army needs to update policies and encourage soldiers to engage meaningfully. And I know soldiers are good at it (I still remember those public speaking lessons that I had during my training in Pakistan Military Academy – one of the best training institutions anywhere in the world – and later those Method of Instructions tutorials I had to attend).

The army has great opportunities to offer to its people. They need to tell this to the people it serve. Internal as well as external army bloggers can do this better than anyone else.

Can influential bloggers (call them Social Media Influencers) help the army in the present context? Shoot down if you don’t agree.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 21, 2024, ,

Business {Blogging} Proposal
Saturday, 3 August 2024


A strong online presence is important for businesses in today's high-speed and competitive world. Blogs have already become a new are a new buzz marketing. Marketers are blogging for organizations, products, ideas and or for other organizational goals and achieving.

That has not started happening in Pakistan yet. An overwhelming majority of local consumers who do not (or cannot) use the Internet and even marketing professionals still ask what is Blog?

To understand blogging as a corporate communications tool, we must understand the nature of blogs . Here is a short definition, "Blogs - an abbreviation of 'weblogs' - are published on the web, typically as microsites standing by themselves but today also as parts of traditional web sites. They reflect the interests, thoughts and opinions of the person, sometimes persons, publishing the blog. Blogs are characterized by frequent updates, an informal tone and many links to other blogs and web sites."

A business blog is a blog published by or with the support of an organization to reach that organization's goals. In external communications the potential benefits include strengthened relationships with important target groups and the positioning of the publishing organization as industry experts. Internally blogs are generally referred to as tools for collaboration and knowledge management.

Blogs can drive visitors to existing web site and help find new customers and engage the ones organizations already have. Blogs are prevailing and cost-effective marketing tools. As far as businesses is concerned, there are clients and potential clients. A blog will create a dialogue between the business, present client base, and potential buyers. Communication has never been easier and user friendly.

Once an organization has a blog, it offers immediate and high impact interaction with its target audience. As more people have online access, they'll want more than the standard online newsletter or typical PR response (we are so averse to existing PR stereotypes). Long gone are the days when companies simply fed information to their customers. Now everyone asks for a dialogue - a meaningful exchange of information. People also want to know that organizations are listening to them and paying heeds to what is being suggested, and blogs allow just that -- responding quickly and openly.

From a business point of view there are several potential reasons to blog particularly in less connected country like Pakistan. But, as always, it depends on what businesses want. Blogs are no different from channels like video, print, audio, presentations and even word of mouth marketing. They all deliver results - but of varying kind. The kind you can expect from blogs is mainly about stronger relations with important target groups.

Who should blog for the businesses? Ideally, front line people who know the business in and out should blog about it. Marketing professionals can also use this powerful tool. Organization can hire professional writers to blog for them under company's name or blog under their own. Depending upon the feedback and information provided by audience, an inside blogger can develop the ability to write in his or her own voice and create content for business blog. Outsider bloggers can view business with an objective eye and offer fresh marketing ideas and strategies.

Outsider blogger can study company's marketing materials, reports, other collateral information, and meet key people in organization to learn about what organization does and how best to market the product through blogging.

In developed world, blogging is being taught in most business school as a part of business studies and or part of mass communication courses.

Bloggers can post material written in editorial style and voice, updating at least once a day, three-to-five days a week. The content may also include company news, events, and information about new products and services relevant to your business.

Earlier, online marketing and web sites never picked up in Pakistan because of obvious "digital divide that exists due to individual disparities in levels of income, education standards, psychological reasons, age, gender, rural urban divide, and quality of life or collective deprivations like lack of physical infrastructure."

Pakistan corporate world should look at blogging as an opportunity to reach out but sadly, this has still not started to happen.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, August 03, 2024, ,

How to upload the pdf file to blogs
Saturday, 27 July 2024

Readers here know that I am on eBooks as well. Today I have had the pleasure of sharing two eBooks with readers online. In the process I learned how to share pdf files using blogger blog upload the pdf file to blogspot. BTW, I use blogspot and I wish blogspot have the upload file function. That is a must now. Curiosity lead me and I could find a solution for my friends. There are two easy ways: 1) Use Google Group or 2) Upload to Ziddu.com.

Best is that you create a “Google Group” account – http://groups.google.com and find it is easy. I have uploaded a book here. Go explore.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, July 27, 2024, ,

Social Media Marketing - Proposal
Thursday, 20 June 2024

Promotion, Branding (including Personal Branding), and Creating Buzz Online through Blogs, X, Facebook

Executive Summary 

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. This proposal outlines a comprehensive plan to leverage blogging, X (Twitter), and Facebook to enhance your online visibility, engage with your target audience, and drive business results.

Introduction

The rise of social media has revolutionized the way businesses connect with their customers. Blogs, X, and Facebook have become indispensable tools for corporate communications, marketing, and customer engagement. By harnessing the power of these platforms, we can strengthen relationships with key target groups, position your organization as an industry thought leader, and create a buzz online.

Understanding Blogs

A blog is a dynamic online platform that reflects the interests, thoughts, and opinions of its author. In a business context, blogs offer a unique opportunity for organizations to share their expertise, showcase their personality, and engage with their audience in a meaningful way. By definition, business blogs are published by or with the support of an organization to achieve specific goals.

Benefits of Blogging

- Strengthen relationships with target groups

- Position your organization as an industry expert

- Drive visitors to your website and attract new customers

- Engage with existing customers and encourage loyalty

- Cost-effective marketing tool

X (Twitter)

X is a micro-blogging platform that allows for instant messaging and real-time engagement. With millions of users, X offers a vast opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience, build their brand, and drive sales.

Facebook

Facebook has become a powerful tool for businesses and individuals to increase their online visibility and reach a wider audience. By integrating your blog with your Facebook page, we can amplify your online presence and engage with your audience in a more meaningful way.

Who Should Blog for You?

Ideally, frontline people who know your business inside out should blog about it. Alternatively, marketing professionals or hired writers can also create content under your company's name or their own.

Goals and Objectives 

Our aim is to support your business objectives by:

- Informing and educating customers

- Encouraging dialogue with current and potential customers

- Conveying your company's personality and culture

- Gathering feedback from readers and customers

Proposal

We suggest the following:

- Set up a dedicated blog for your establishment, product, service, idea, or individual

- Generate relevant content and post it on the blog

- Write blog posts (editorialized advertisements) on existing blogs to strengthen keywords in search engines

- Support the blog with active Facebook and X accounts created specifically for your company

By implementing this proposal, we can help you establish a strong online presence, engage with your target audience, and drive business results.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, June 20, 2024, ,

Would It Kill Ya To Comment
Sunday, 16 June 2024

One feature that distinguishes blogs from static websites, making them more interactive, is that blogs offer readers an option to participate through comments. Allowing comments is a matter of choice for bloggers, though. Bloggers can disallow other visitors to comment on weblogs, single entries or can authorize comments for all internet users, for members only, or make their blogs as read-only. Generally speaking, blog comments are what most keep most bloggers (including me) going.

Which is why, walking around the blogspshere reveals that most blogs have their comments option turned on, which permits users to interact with the bloggers and each other at their own pace. Some go a long way to engage others and solicit comments. I have seen permanent banners on many blogs that read, "would it kill ya to comment" or don’t "de-lurk" (meaning you must comment and not just visit the blog). In fact, a few famous bloggers celebrate De-lurking Days and Weeks to urge readers to comment.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, June 16, 2024, ,

Social Media Marketing - Proposal
Sunday, 5 May 2024

Promotion, Branding (including Personal Branding), SEO and Creating Buzz Online through Blogs, Twitter, Facebook

Introduction

A strong online presence is important for businesses and even individuals in today's high-speed and competitive world. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook have already become a new buzz in marketing and a welcome mate for corporate sector. Businesses are taking advantages to reach out to uses in fast growing users’ base.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, May 05, 2024, ,

Bloggy fusion
Monday, 8 April 2024

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, April 08, 2024, ,

Add signature to blog post
Monday, 5 February 2024

You might want to add a custom automatic signature below each of your blog posts. This would be more useful if you are running a Team Blog with multiple authors. You can use unique signatures for each author. The same can be done on a single author blog also, like my signature in this post.

Create a signature online using My Live Signature

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, February 05, 2024, ,

Setup Urdu Hotspot
Sunday, 4 February 2024

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, February 04, 2024, ,

How to stay safe online when everyone is going to have a laptop
Wednesday, 31 January 2024

Last evening (Jan 12, 2012), on the invitation of Google Country Representative Badar Khushnood, I was with the army of geeks from Lahore including Chief Minister Punjab Shahbas Sharif,  Jehan Ara (@P@sha), Umar Saif Usman Latif, Memokh, Saad and many more, in the spanking new Software Technology Park (346-B, Ferozpur Road, Lahore) to learn a thing or two about one of the most critical subjects these days: how to stay safe online.


Government of Punjab (PITB), Google Pakistan and P@sha are doing series of sessions about how to make sure that your online data stay safe while moving around in cyber space. Badar Khushnoon is a man in the real know of the matter and talked about hardware and software security, web security and much more. I thought ‘I know it all’ but to my surprise, there is so much more than normal computer users like me think is enough. Thanks Badar for this very interactive and useful session.

Best thing is that governments are now realizing, though a bit late, the importance of IT and the power of blogging and social media. Shahbaz Sharif, the Chief Minister Punjab (who is personally at Facebook now) was there and he also let us in on his IT vision including how he responds to people on facebook in the wee hours of the morning. Shahbaz Sharif also announced that the Government of Punjab is establishing a world-class IT University in Punjab in partnership with top universities in the world, including Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), USA and Middle-east Technical University (METU), Turkey. The university will be initially housed in the newly built Lahore Technology Park and will later move to a purpose-built campus in knowledge city in the heart of Lahore. This will usher in a new era of IT education, research and development and entrepreneurship in Pakistan.


Shahbaz Sharif also told the audience about his vision of laptop his government is offering to students. That reminded me of two initiatives (one laptop per child and $100 Laptop). What happened to those projects? Some geeks questions about the criteria for giving laptops but I personally strongly recommend laptop schemes. Go ahead Mr. CM, this will help in the long as well as short run.

At the end, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif also presented shields to Pakistan Blog Award 2011 winners.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, January 31, 2024, ,

Monetizing Your Social Media Space
Saturday, 13 January 2024



We are living in the age when we can see mass media turning into media of masses. Printing press, back in fifteenth century, started a publishing boom and an information revolution. Along the way, market forces established the rights and rules of the game for the privileged few who could afford to buy printing presses and grind forests into paper. Result: handful few own the industry and control information - they decide what the masses will learn. These few disseminate information on a need-to-know basis mostly. You know them. That's the world of mass media.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, January 13, 2024, ,

Challenges; Making Money online in Pakistan
Wednesday, 3 January 2024

Blast from the past: Summery of issues discussed on one of the Monetize Social Media Space workshops during Network!: Pakistan’s First International Social Media Summit. They are still the same if not worst. 


Social space has combined some major human activities - communicating, sharing, social networking and ecommerce. Use of newly found social media space where as anyone can shoot out, is a creative activity and fun. Most online users enjoy their online presence. That is why people blog tweet or network in the first place. Along the way, a time comes when online users start thinking to monetize their social space. And then everything starts changing.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, January 03, 2024, ,


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