Why do you blog - part II?
In the first part, I answered the generic "why do you blog" questions. The second part, I wanted to address one of the questions Heather Etchevers asked, because it really is the core reason of why we blog:
Who are you blogging for/who are you talking to?
After much soul searching, I have to answer the reason that probably lies behind all blogs: I blog for myself. If I didn't get something out of it, I wouldn't be doing it. Although, that doesn't mean there's nothing altruistic about the time I invest - there are people who find some of the information I post to be useful. However, it makes me happy to when I get a comment that tells me that something I post made them think, answered a question or just helped them get their computer configured. Yes, I (unashamedly) love to help people, and that is what I get out of blogging.
The less subtle question implied is "who do you think your target audience is?" As to that, I have to admit, I'm not sure. There are several distinct groups who might find information I post to be useful:
That is the core of the "why am I blogging" question: who am I writing for? Between now and the time I move my blog over to NN (Yes, I think that's where I'm headed), I'm going to try to narrow it down a bit. Some decisions are fairly easy, I'm probably going to drop my linux related posts (there are better forums, and I already participate in them.) and the art/photography is already on the wane. The Grad School posts will probably accelerate for a bout a year (hopefully) and then tail off completely. That should provide a little more focus, in the wake of my scholastic adventures, assuming I can continue blogging once I leave academia - I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
So, why do I blog? Because I enjoy the conversations and the community. As long as people are reading what I have to say, as long as I get the occasional comment, and as long as there is a reason to keep talking, I'll keep blogging.
Ah... Clarity. (=
Who are you blogging for/who are you talking to?
After much soul searching, I have to answer the reason that probably lies behind all blogs: I blog for myself. If I didn't get something out of it, I wouldn't be doing it. Although, that doesn't mean there's nothing altruistic about the time I invest - there are people who find some of the information I post to be useful. However, it makes me happy to when I get a comment that tells me that something I post made them think, answered a question or just helped them get their computer configured. Yes, I (unashamedly) love to help people, and that is what I get out of blogging.
The less subtle question implied is "who do you think your target audience is?" As to that, I have to admit, I'm not sure. There are several distinct groups who might find information I post to be useful:
- People who do Chip-Seq may enjoy the posts on FindPeaks
- Next Generation Sequencing related posts may have a broader audience of scientists in the field
- People who use Linux probably enjoy the Ubuntu related posts
- Grad Students might find my school related posts to be insightful (maybe?)
- Anyone who enjoys art might find some of my science art to be unique.
That is the core of the "why am I blogging" question: who am I writing for? Between now and the time I move my blog over to NN (Yes, I think that's where I'm headed), I'm going to try to narrow it down a bit. Some decisions are fairly easy, I'm probably going to drop my linux related posts (there are better forums, and I already participate in them.) and the art/photography is already on the wane. The Grad School posts will probably accelerate for a bout a year (hopefully) and then tail off completely. That should provide a little more focus, in the wake of my scholastic adventures, assuming I can continue blogging once I leave academia - I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
So, why do I blog? Because I enjoy the conversations and the community. As long as people are reading what I have to say, as long as I get the occasional comment, and as long as there is a reason to keep talking, I'll keep blogging.
Ah... Clarity. (=
Labels: Blog
1 Comments:
Very much enjoy your blog & share the sentiment that I blog mainly for myself ... to use writing and art to work through issues that are of interest to me. Cheers!
Post a Comment
<< Home