Science for Life.365, a case study (aka blogging can make you a better writer)

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 = ?

articles