How to Successfully Manage an Expanding Science Blog
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In the world of blogging, running a successful science blog is a unique opportunity that requires more than mere luck. It demands intentional effort and a commitment to the responsibilities that come with it.
Having spent over eight months engaging in the realm of science blogging, I have witnessed consistent growth. This journey encompasses a variety of factors that contribute to the successful management of such a blog, which I will explore in this article.
I will kick things off by sharing the motivations behind starting my science blog. Following that, I will outline essential elements that contribute to a blog's growth based on my personal experiences. Then, I will delve into the many considerations that are part of the day-to-day operations of maintaining a blog. Lastly, I will provide a glimpse into what lies ahead for this journey.
Whether you're seeking inspiration for your own blogging endeavors or you're a long-time reader interested in my journey, you're welcome here. I hope you find valuable insights in this discussion. Let’s dive in.
How It All Started
As I mentioned earlier, my foray into science blogging spans over eight months. However, my passion for writing has been a lifelong endeavor. Writing has always been a cherished activity for me.
Over the years, my work has attracted interest from various individuals. I highlight this because many people enjoy writing, yet may not receive the same enthusiasm from readers (this is a topic we'll explore further). Without positive feedback, maintaining the motivation to write can be challenging.
In 2017, about five years ago, I launched a blog (non-technical) under a pseudonym while pursuing my ambition to become an expert in a competitive field. Initially, the blog served as a personal outlet for my philosophical musings and observations, and I published infrequently.
The Road Less Traveled
My initial blog did not experience significant growth, but it earned me a reputation as a “deep thinker” among a small circle of friends, family, and online acquaintances. Meanwhile, I achieved my goal of entering a technical role in the industry (perhaps a story for another time).
Have you heard the saying, “Never meet your heroes”? I learned this lesson after spending a few years in my “dream” job. Ultimately, I realized I had outgrown that aspiration and chose to abandon the lucrative path ahead of me.
While reflecting on how to redefine my life, I conceived an ambitious idea: I listed all the topics that intrigued me and resolved to pursue a project in each one (eight in total). If that sounds overly ambitious, it probably is; I tend to aim high.
My aim was to identify which projects were worth continuing after six months. Essentially, I sought a convergence of three elements:
- My skills
- My interests
- The value the project brings to society
I am (and always will be) driven by the belief that my endeavors must create value for others. For my work to be sustainable, I should enjoy it, and I should either possess the skills or be able to develop them efficiently.
After six months, two projects emerged as frontrunners, one of which was my old blog. I decided to focus on my writing, take my blog more seriously, and publish regularly.
Why I Chose to Start a Science Blog
Earlier, I stated that the development of a successful blog is not purely coincidental. Well, I may have misled you! Until this point, my writing and technical pursuits had never intersected.
You might be thinking:
> "Isn't that a clear overlap?"
For the love of blogging, it had never crossed my mind! As I began writing more consistently, I happened to touch upon a technical subject that was so straightforward to me that I invested only about an hour into it.
To my astonishment, it received enthusiastic feedback from numerous readers. I had never experienced such a response before. From that moment, as I concentrated on sharing my technical knowledge, my blog began to expand. In a sense, chance played a role; I cannot deny that.
However, two other significant factors were at play:
- My dedication to providing value to others.
- My commitment to regular publishing.
The importance of regularity in publishing should not be underestimated. I first learned about this from the work of Seth Godin, but I adopted it based on my own experiences.
Readers may not always appreciate this philosophy, but seasoned writers certainly recognize its significance. They may not know each other deeply, but they nod in agreement when they witness a fellow writer's consistent output. I’m sure my friend Avi Kotzer can relate.
How to Manage a Growing Science Blog
With a promising science blog in hand, the question arises: how do we foster its growth? Here’s my secret five-step strategy:
- Just
- Kidding
- I never aimed
- To grow
- The darn thing!
Honestly, my focus has never been on expanding the blog. My sole focus has always been on creating value for others!
I am an inherently curious individual and consider myself a lifelong learner. This is why I refrain from detailing my technical background or qualifications; they are irrelevant to the learning process. As I explore topics that pique my interest, I share my findings through writing. Sometimes my writing resonates with others, and sometimes it does not.
Experience matters, however. By repeatedly navigating the cycles of success and failure, I strive to write about scientific topics that I believe will benefit others. I can learn about anything that intrigues me, but my writing must provide solutions for my readers. This brings us to a pivotal consideration for managing a growing science blog.
Key Considerations for Running a Thriving Science Blog
Thus far, we have established one crucial point: I never set out to grow the blog. I merely focused on providing value, and the blog expanded organically. As it grows, I must adapt to its demands.
Addressing Problems, Engaging Conversations, and Scaling Challenges
I approach each article I publish as a product. In this respect, like any other product, my essays aim to address a problem or a collection of issues I find significant. Solving problems equates to creating value.
Just as users engage with any product, readers interact with my essays. Sometimes the feedback is positive; at other times, not so much. Regardless, I view my writing as a dialogue; I engage with readers on an equal footing.
Earlier, I noted that many writers love to write, but their audience may not reciprocate. This often occurs because (in my view) their writing resembles a one-sided conversation. Few people want to engage with someone who monopolizes the discussion without considering their conversation partner's input.
I strive to foster engagement with my readers, especially in the comments section. However, due to my commitment to publishing regularly, the volume of essays I produce increases daily, leading to a surge in comments.
In the business realm, older products often receive less support from manufacturers than newer ones. I can relate to this as I find myself scrambling to respond to comments as much as possible.
Inevitably, I tend to prioritize my most recent essays over older ones, which likely already have robust discussions in their comments sections.
Before you judge, let me clarify: I’m not claiming my approach is flawless. I operate solo, while my readership is growing. In this context, a growing blog can pose challenges. I struggle to keep pace with the influx of comments while aiming to foster meaningful conversations.
If you have suggestions to help me tackle this challenge, please share them in the comments. For now, let’s explore other vital considerations.
Commitment to Scientific Rigor and Clarity
Coming from a scientific background (one of the few instances where I must reference my background), I place great value on scientific accuracy. However, being human means I make mistakes.
As a solo operation, I lack the luxury of a second pair of eyes for proofreading. Consequently, I rely on the patience of my readers. When you point out my errors, I strive to correct them and ensure that the information I provide is as accurate as possible.
Regardless of the scientific accuracy of my work, I create value through my dedication to scientific rigor and correctness.
Simultaneously, I also create value by emphasizing clarity. For those seeking technical information, textbooks or academic journals are always available. However, as an independent entity, I am not bound by the rigid conventions of those formats. I can communicate as straightforwardly as possible with my audience.
The overarching challenge I aim to address is to convey scientific knowledge as simply as possible while maintaining scientific rigor. Anyone who has attempted this can attest that it is a complex task and that it is impossible to satisfy everyone all the time.
What Does It Mean to Manage a Growing Science Blog?
To summarize my journey thus far and what managing a growing science blog entails:
- Publish consistently.
- Focus on delivering value rather than on growth.
- Commit to the simplest possible scientific content while ensuring scientific rigor and accuracy.
- Growth complicates interaction with readers in the comments section.
- Growth invites unwanted attention in the form of hackers and other technical challenges.
That said, I have not delved into areas such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and social media. While I am actively working on these aspects, I currently lack the expertise to provide substantial value in these areas.
Clearly, I have not resolved all the challenges mentioned here. I am doing my best to address them as they arise.
Having discussed what it means to manage a growing blog, I’ll now provide a brief overview of my future plans.
Where Is This Journey Taking Me?
Running a science blog requires considerable effort and dedication. However, you might not be surprised to learn that I engage in activities beyond the blog. While I cherish writing, building things excites me even more and represents a significant opportunity to create value.
My long-term vision for the blog is to make traditionally challenging or obscure scientific topics accessible to interested individuals. That said, I am approaching this journey one day at a time.
As the blog continues to expand, new challenges arise. I am committed to addressing them while keeping the overall direction intact.
If you've made it this far, I sincerely thank you for your patience and interest in my thoughts. If you have any feedback or suggestions, I welcome them; the comments section is just a click away!
If you’d like to support me as a writer, consider clapping, following, and subscribing.
Further reading that may interest you: Are We Living In A Simulation? and How Easy Is It Really To Predict The Future?
If you would like to support my work as an author, consider contributing on Patreon.