how to create a blog that makes a difference
DESCRIPTION
Some practical tips to help health professionals start their own blog. I present the most common reasons why people start a blog in healthcare, common pitfalls, 3 steps for putting a great idea into action, and lots of tips for writing awesome posts. I'm looking forward to reading your blog posts! EdwinTRANSCRIPT
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1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
7,000,000
WordPressTumblr
LinkedInBlogspot
6,100,000
4,600,0004,500,000
3,050,000
Social Media News: http://www.socialmedianews.com.au/social-media-statistics-australia-october-2014
Why Blog?
My ultimate goal: To make readers look through a different lens.
Blogging“You are doing it for yourself - to force yourself to become part of the conversation.
Peer to peer communication
Knowledge
exchangePromoting reflection
Professional development
Disseminating
best practices
Assessing clinical knowledge
Open discussionsLog of medical
trainingBranding
Community
outreach
Sharing patient experiences
Patient
education
Clinical trial recruitment
Data collectionPatient
feedbackPatient journeys
Social Media: A Review and Tutorial of Applications in Medicine and Health Care. J Med Internet Res. Feb 2014; 16(2): e13.
Sharing practical knowledge &
skills
Influencing the way others think
Examining the medical blogosphere: an online survey of medical bloggers. J Med Internet Res. 2008 Sep 23;10(3):e28.
“Blogs foster open access to information (both opinions and facts) […] and are often picked up by mainstream media, which makes them an important vehicle for social change.”
Click next for 2 examples
Social Media: A Review and Tutorial of Applications in Medicine and Health Care.J Med Internet Res. Feb 2014; 16(2): e13.
http://jilltomlinson.com
Example 1: How the succesful AHPRAaction
started (with Jill’s blog post)
Example 2: Sometimes (when you’re lucky) blog
posts are picked up by the media.
MARY
FREER
Why I blog“I blog because I want to have a conversation with you about the way we can shape the health system.
http://freerthinking.com.au
“Medical weblogs can provide a unique opportunity for the medical student to follow the writings of positive role models.
Medical weblogs: advocacy for positive cyber role models. Clin Teach. 2011 Dec;8(4):245-8
DOs & DON’Ts
Including links to original source
Spending extra time verifying
facts
Examining the medical blogosphere: an online survey of medical bloggers. J Med Internet Res. 2008 Sep 23;10(3):e28.
“To achieve the benefits of social media and ensure the veracity of social media content while preserving trust in the profession, physicians must reaffirm their commitment to disclose potential conflicts.
Physicians, social media, and conflict of interest. J Gen Intern Med. 2013 Feb;28(2):299-303
✗ 17.7% described patients in a negative light
✗ 32.8% provided first & last name of author
✗ 11.4% endorsed product & no conflict of interest declared
Content of [271] Weblogs Written by Health Professionals. J Gen Intern Med. Oct 2008; 23(10): 1642–1646.
“She was a stupid, lazy, selfish woman all of which characteristics are personal problems, not medical issues or barriers to care”
1. There is nothing in it for the reader
2. Too many words, no pictures
3. The post frequency drops over time
Tips
Great sources: Pixabay.com & Canva.com
1. Add value 2. Share your knowledge for free3. Give tips or a solution to a problem4. Research your topic5. Use simple language6. Tell a story, but don’t make it just
about you
1. Write a catchy headline
2. Use headings for each paragraph
3. Make bullet or numbered lists
4. Write short sentences
5. Max 500 words
• You/ Your• People• This is• The most• How to• Should• Why• What • Which• When
• Social media• New blog post• Video• Inspire• Help• Improve• Discover• Amuse• Developed• Researched
5 GREAT EXAMPLES
How to overcome writer’s block: 14 tricks that work
The single best way to grow your influence
Why I will never use Microsoft Word again
Finding your genius: 3 surprising places to get creatively re-inspired
How to wow your audience with the right image
http://goinswriter.com
JEFF GOINSWriter
Blogging template1. Start with the headline2. Write a great lead paragraph3. Add a relevant image4. Tell a personal story5. Add (scannable) content6. Finish with a discussion
question
Language“If you speak like a scientist, only scientists will understand you. But if you speak like a truck driver, both truck drivers and scientists will understand you.
SIMON SINEK Inspirational leadership author
Doctorsbag.net@EdwinKruys