Andrew Huff visits DePaul University
Andrew Huff spoke Monday night to a DePaul University journalism class. (Photo by Michael Reilley)
In Chicago, when some people hear the term “gapers block,” they are not thinking about the traffic jam due to rubbernecking drivers slow to watch an accident. Instead, they are thinking about Gapers Block, one of the most prominent city blogs.
Andrew Huff, the editor and publisher of GapersBlock, told DePaul University on Monday about his experiences as blogger, entrepreneur and journalist.
Gapers Block’s name frames a successful purpose: “Ee are trying to get people to slow down and check out all things is going on in the city,” explained Huff.
Huff, along with designer Naz Hamid, founded and launched Gapers Block in April 2003. It started with 12 original staff members and now has about100 volunteer writers.
The blog is divided by special sections. Merge has different topics and it is constantly updating. Rearview features photos. Slowdown contains the calendar of events. Fuel post a simple questions to start a conversation.
“When we launched, we were the only game in the town,” said Huff.
Today, in the market there are blogs that competes with Gapers Block for the Chicagoans readers such as Chicagoist or Mouthpiecesports, Huff has his own formula of success: “responding to the readers (…) finding out what people are interesting in,” he said.
Besides Gapers Block, Huff also writes in me3dia his personal weblog which he started back in 2001. Furthermore, he has been working for five years as a professional corporate blogger, as a consultant who develops web projects.
His work has been recognized for Crain’s Chicago Business 40 under 40, in 2009.
Huff opens the Gapers Block’s doors to writers who want to share their stories. People can summit their articles, photos and features stories for publication.
The Internet offers new possibilities for telling hyperlocal stories creating new ways of doing journalism. Huff is an example of innovation because he finds different ways to connect people and cities.
