Module 5.

1. Where Do Stories Live Today?: Models of platforms for story sharing

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Abstract

In this chapter, we will explore the different types of spaces available on the internet that allow us to share our own content. We will also look at the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

There are two main pathways through which we can share our own content and information on the internet:

The first is a self-managed model. You create a website with a domain, that is, your own URL (a string of text that identifies the location of a resource on the internet), for example: www.ourstories.com, and then upload your content to the site in the format of your choice. In this model, the website’s interface, meaning how the site looks and is visually presented: its colors, typography, layout, menus, buttons, or images, is fully under our control.

The second option involves creating a user profile within a platform. As we mentioned earlier in the introduction, these platforms attract the vast majority of internet user traffic. To clearly understand this type of platform, we can look at the most familiar example: social media. Depending on the format in which we share our content, there are different types of platforms:

  • Written content publishing platforms
  • Visual content platforms
  • Video platforms
  • Audio and podcast platforms
  • Social and microcontent platforms
  • Collaborative or wiki platforms
  • Community platforms
  • Institutional or cultural platforms
Self-managed website User profile on a platform
Pros
  • Control over interface design and appearance.
  • Multi-format (content can appear in various formats).
  • Self-managed content and maintenance.
  • Simple and intuitive to start (no extensive training required to create a profile).
  • A pre-existing community.
  • Easy interaction with other users.
  • Created content can be promoted.
Cons
  • Design and content publishing are not as intuitive as on platforms.
  • No pre-existing community (user interactions must be sought out).
  • Design and functionality standards.
  • Content control.
  • Visibility is mediated by algorithms.
  • Advertising.

These models are complementary and can even be connected to each other. You can have a self-managed website and also a social media profile at the same time. In that case, try to create links between both spaces: keep a consistent look by using the same logos and colors, share the same information on both platforms, and integrate your social media profile into your website…

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