So You Want to be a (Science) Blogger?

The popularity of blogging has exploded in the last decade, and although the numbers are difficult to measure, it is estimated that the number of blogs lies in the hundreds of millions across platforms like WordPress, Blogger and Tumblr. The power of the online ‘influencer’ has demonstrated that blogs don’t have to be ‘just a hobby’ and can in some cases be turned into a lucrative business. However there are many reasons why one may choose to start a blog – as a journal/diary, to connect with others, to showcase a portfolio, or even…boredom?!

Science is changing. People are engaging. Open source is becoming a thing (applause). Scientists now have a platform to spread the word about their research and important scientific issues that may influence how society is run. Scientists now have a (louder) voice, and it seems to me that the rise in science blogging and online science communicators has been the catalyst for this.

I started my blog as a way to take science into my own hands when I was struggling with my PhD. It really gave me a push of motivation when I needed it, and gave me a sense of achievement to see my readers grow. Here are my tips and some things to think about if you’re considering starting your own science blog.

The hardest part is always starting. Do a little bit of research into what name you’d like to use, and what blogging platform you may prefer (I’d recommend Blogger or WordPress for beginners), then create your site. Rome wasn’t built in a day - but if you at least have your URL sorted, you’re probably more likely to follow through.

You don’t need a degree in Marketing, Graphic Design or PR, but some creativity and forward-thinking helps. Consider any social media you’d like to go alongside your blog and sign up to these. Also, think about the ‘look’ and style of your blog. Generally, I’m way more likely to stay on a website or blog if it’s got a clear layout and theme. You could even design some simple logos. Science isn’t the most glamorous of areas, but aesthetics are important.

Although I enjoy blogging, it can be very time consuming alongside a full-time PhD/job. Especially the more factual and informative posts that require reading and research. Ideas can also run dry. Think about an appropriate blog schedule that works for you – I began posting weekly, but found that my posts were becoming rushed and felt that my standards were slipping.

This goes hand-in-hand with your content. Knowing what draws in your audience can help tailor your content in the future. Don’t fixate on the numbers, but keep an eye on which posts gain lots of views or traction; this allows you to see what your readers want to read.

This is another area that I have found takes a surprising amount of time. Your ‘socials’ don’t take care of themselves. Taking applicable photos for Instagram, editing them, writing captions, hash-tagging, replying to comments/messages, and then doing all of this again for Twitter takes time… but this is how you promote your writing and reach your audience!

Similarly, you need to use your social media accounts to engage with your audience and fellow bloggers! I have found this SO important and can be great in finding your own little community; it is also essential to support other bloggers as you are all in this together. Allocate some time to this, especially in the beginning when you are finding your feet - social media moves fast and it can be easy to miss posts or ‘trending’ topics of discussion.

No-one likes a copy-cat. Granted, if you have a science blog you are likely to be writing about new developments in the field or current issues, which may have also been covered by other bloggers that week. But try to keep your content original and don’t rely heavily on other blogs for ideas. If you feel this is the case, have a longer break between posts to give yourself more time to plan or brainstorm, or try reaching out to others for collaborations.

So there you go. My amateur tips for starting/running a blog! Don't forget to get involved and share any other tips in the comments :)