FAQs about LPlate

I've been having a few questions re LPlate and thought I'd take the opportunity to answer the most frequently asked.

What is LPlate about?

Really, LPlate is just an idea of mine, which came about after being a Dietetic and Nutrition lecturer in the UK, before arriving back in Brisbane, Australia this year. One of my modules had a professional skills component, so I spent some time teaching about social media and writing for the internet (blogging etc). Many students were unsure, didn't feel they had enough knowledge or just didn't know where to start. Lots felt they could try one article but didn't think they had enough time or confidence to start their own.

Having only recently started writing for "the web" myself, I have looked around a lot of nutrition/diet content on the internet and feel very strongly that Dietitians and degree Nutritionists should be more visible and the "first port of call" for nutrition information for the public. There is so much unqualified and misleading stuff out there!

So, I thought I'd just try a platform for students, new nutrition professionals or those new to writing for the web to "give it a go". Some people just want to try a "one off", some might want to try a few. Either way, it is supposed to be a safe place for people to try writing, read others' blogs and articles, chat about new and exciting nutrition news and generally be a casual place to touch base with other nutrition professionals. For the public, it's a place to read great nutrition articles from a fresh perspective.

Do I contribute articles or just the link to my new blog?

Some people have already started a new blog, and that's great! For LPlate, we would like to have a collection of articles for people to read but are happy to link to new blogs. All we ask is that you write a small article for us and then we can pop it on here, with a link to your blog. This also applies if you start one after being a contributor here on LPlate.

Do I have to write an article?

No, you can do a product review, quick blog, recipe, "day in the life of"...whatever you like!

Is this just for Australian/UK etc nutrition professionals/students?

No, this is international...that's the beauty of it. You can see great stuff from your peers from around the world. We are, however, an English speaking blog.

Do you have a commercial business plan for this blog/what are the commercial benefits for me?

Yes, someone did ask me this. This isn't a commercial venture, it's just a blog. The benefits for anyone contributing are - experience, name and work on "the net" as a starter, links to other new writers, links to new blogs and whatever else you would like to get out of it.

How do I contribute?

All you need to do is send a short bio, your work for the blog and any links you might like to add...to amdietetics@aol.com


What happens if no-one contributes?

Well, if this happens, I guess it's better to have "given it a go" than not and we will disappear into the blog graveyard. Worth a shot though, don't you think!