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The value of blogging for a developing science writer: a case study
Sarah KeenihanPhD B Med Sci Grad Dip Sci Comms
@sciencesarahsciencesarah.wordpress.com
early August 2012
My answer = blog• Why?
• Where?
• What to write about?
• Who for?
• How to market?
• How often?
• How much?
• Why?
• Where?
• What to write about?
• Who for?
• How to market?
• How often?
• How much?
• Public portfolio, conversations, accountable
• Wordpress + Facebook
• Science for life!
• Scientists, colleagues, friends, family, networks
• National Science Week, twitter, Facebook sharing
• Daily commitment
• Varied lengths + great image
My answer = blog
scienceforlife365.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/scienceforlife365
Day 16 of scienceforlife365: Twisties
Even children can be informed consumers.
I made my kids laugh on the weekend by reading out at great speed the list of ingredients for ’Twisties Cheese Flavoured Snacks’:corn, vegetable oil, whey powder, cheese powder, salt, flavour enhancer (621), hydrolysed vegetable protein, flavour, yeast extract, cream powder, milk powder, natural colour 160A, natural colour 160C, food acid 270.
Then I languidly described the components used to make ’Smiths Original Crinkle Cut Chips’: potatoes, vegetable oils, salt.
They got the message.
Blogging to create a writing habit
• Make a calendar, plan some posts• Seek and stick to a routine that works for you• Find a way to ‘lose your inner smart-arse’• Sit on personal stuff for a few days
Science is in my life
12 days of christmas adelaide art australia baby bacteria beach beachcombing birthday blogging
book bridge8 cancer childhood children christmas communication conference event family fish food
fruit garden guest post health illness journalism life paris phase 2 reading realscientists robinson running school science science communication scienceonline
social media south australia tedx the conversation twitter university of adelaide work
writing yorke peninsula yorkes
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/blogging.png
Build it, and they might come
Some people liked it
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Facebook users
Wordpress views
A tale of two audiences
• Facebook readers liked:- animals, science humour, new ways of thinking about science, personalised aspects of science and learning
• Wordpress readers liked: - art, food, fashion, literature, writing, discussions around journalism /communication
personal
networks
professional networks
Refining use of twitter for marketing
Day 32 of Science for Life.365: Waste. Best school excursion ever "I saw 8 seagulls get killed" http://ow.ly/dFMiJ #science365 #adelaide Day 38 of Science for Life.365. Spitfire. Or is it 'oil vomiter'? http://ow.ly/dOOMN #science365 #adelaide @reemarattan @Mozziebites Scientist? Had a baby? This may strike a chord. A post by @annahuddo for #SciMs & #science365 #onsci http://t.co/nAFhjcHakA
Blogging can forge connections
• Find ‘friends in low places’, experience ‘horizontal loyalty’ (Robert Krulwich)
• Aussie connections: National Science Week, Australian Science Communicators, #onsci, #ozscied, Uni of SA, Uni of Adelaide, scientific societies, TEDxAdelaide, COSMOS, community groups, Science Book a Day
• International connections: ScienceOnline, @realscientists, Do You Believe in Dog?
• New friends! Yes, I made friends on the internet• Feature guest posts for new connections
It’s been a grouse journey ‘It's been a grouse journey. I've enjoyed your posts and your application of science to your family and your family life. Congratulations.’ Tara via Facebook ‘Heartfelt congratulations Sarah! This is an achievement of epic proportions that non-bloggers will struggle to fully understand. I salute you and send very best wishes for a well-earned week's break!’ Mia via Facebook ‘Well done Sarah on completing a full year and sticking to it. I’ve enjoyed reading most of your posts. A great job.’ Gary via Wordpress
scienceforlife.365 celebratory ‘Brain Break’ morning tea
National Science Week 2013
Blogging is not a dirty word Completed year-long project Greater feel for strengths/weaknesses as a writer Better understanding of how to connect with online
audiences Appreciation of and connection with supportive
online communities Improved capacity in using social media for
marketing ‘Chick who blogged every day about science,
for a year’
Becoming a diverse science writer
PhD
views = 13
blog post
views = 20K views = ?
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