Engagement for Washington Post

I disagree with Tom Grubisichs because I think that the type of 'engagement' that he is hoping the Washington Post builds is one similar to the social networks, where people are familiar with the other people using the same website, and request others to join their community. However, I do not think  a social network type of engagement is essential for the Washington Post because this is a news source online to inform users about what is going on around the world, it is not a source for finding old pals and meeting new people in order to feel like a user belongs to the Washington Post community. 

I also find a sense of engagement for those residents of DC who read the Washington Post as their local newspaper or online news source because it provides information on local news. For example, there was an article of a crime incident in Howard County, MD. On the local section of The Post, there is also a Local Opinion section where local surrounding residents can express their thoughts n issues. 

By providing more local information about what is happening in the DC, MD, and VA area, along with videos and photos, a person reading the local news feels engaged to the newsworthy events. Users, whether they are local residents or from the across the country, feel like they belong to these communities because they are aware of what is going on in DC, MD, and VA. 

Let me put it like this, when I read an article about something that happened in DC, I feel connected to that area and its residents, and I began to care about them.

Yes, engagement is important to the Washington Post, but engagement that will help drive more people to read news on the washingtonpost.com compare to other online news sources. The Post has to consider the audience. 

I think that the Washington Post is currently doing a good job trying to engage users on its web site. For example, on the site users can find discussion boards, a comment posting option on articles, and a directory to find blog postings on certain issues. 

I think that the type of engagement that Katharine Waymouth hopes for the Washington Post is one where Americans can be informed on current issues being discussed at DC. 

When Americans understand and know what is happening in politics, they are educated about what is going on in their own country, and this helps Americans stay connected to the issues and events that occur in our country. Thus, I think in order for The Post to accomplish its goals by continuing to provide credible and reliable information that is updated often online base on what the consumer wants.