It’s one thing to approach people to interview and drop the name of a well-known publication. It’s no great insight that working for an established news organization opens doors. A start-up neighborhood news blog doesn’t have much swagger.

Poynter Online columnist Damon Kiesow wrote about this at the website when he interviewed Jim MacMillan. He had a great lede: “Hi, my name is Jim. I’m from the Internet.”

Recently, I attended a local government expo where staff at the city of East Point, Ga., where I write my hyperlocal blog, showcased their services. And although I’ve been writing and reporting since the early 1990s, it gave me pause as I walked up to strangers and tell them I write for the a blog called The Jefferson Park Hub and would like to take up their time.

Maybe it’s the term blog that makes my stomach queasy. It lacks oomph. It seems so juvenile, like I am a school-aged kid scribbling my crushes in an online diary.

Next time, I’ll try online news publication.