Myrmecos

Myrmecos Blog at one year

Posted by Alex Wild on November 27, 2008
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As a matter of coincidence, my first blogiversary falls on Thanksgiving day.  Happy Thanks-Blog-Giving, then. Or something.

I started out aiming my writing at a non-technical audience.  So I featured insect photographs, simplified coverage of entomological news, and notes about photographic technique.  But I’ve come to realize from various feedback that many of my regular readers are professional scientists.  This poses a bit of a problem of where to pitch my content. Both my mother and Phil Ward read this blog.  What might interest both of them?

This imbalance in the biological fluency of my readers remains my biggest challenge. How do I cover science in a way that is not too jargony yet doesn’t bore the myrmecologists?  I’m no Carl Zimmer, unfortunately, so finding those magic turns of phrase that resonate across audiences isn’t easy.  Should I alternate posts?  Or do I try to straddle that middle ground?

In any case, it’s been quite a year.  My readership has grown steadily, averaging now about 350 visitors per day.  My thanks to all of you!

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Comments

  1. #1 Roberto Keller
    November 27, 2008

    Happy blogging anniversary to Myrmecos Blog and best wishes to Americans on Thanksgiving day.

  2. #2 Corrie Moreau
    November 27, 2008

    Alex- Congratulations!

    You know I love your blog! Here is to another year!

  3. #3 Dav
    November 27, 2008

    Congratulations! Keep doing what you are doing. You keep this herpetologist amused.

  4. #4 Aydin
    November 27, 2008

    Happy Anniversary!

  5. #5 Jack Jumper
    November 27, 2008

    Happy Anniversary

    From a couple of charming Australians who enjoy reading it daily.

  6. #6 Mom
    November 27, 2008

    Hey, every so often Phil Ward and I might be on the same wave length! Keep up the good work. Love, Mom

  7. #7 Benoit
    November 28, 2008

    Happy Anniversary! I am looking forward to read it for the next years

  8. #8 James C. Trager
    November 28, 2008

    Yeah, what you’re mom said, except in this case, collegial “love”.

    Here’s to another year. This blog is something I am definitely thankful for.

  9. #9 Ted C. MacRae
    November 28, 2008

    350 hits/day in just one year – wow, impressive!

    I guess I’m part of the reason, I enjoy your fabulous photos and insights. Congrats on your first year.

    regards–ted

  10. #10 James C. Trager
    November 28, 2008

    And yeah, I know the difference between your and you’re. Just a lousy typist!

  11. #11 Dad
    November 28, 2008

    The most useful service any professional can provide is to communicate in a way that can be understood by both professionals and non-professionals. This is at least as helpful to professionals as non-professionals as the former may otherwise get so caught up in their own impenetrable jargon as to limit their potential audience to as few as one — themselves. Happy Thantsgiving.

  12. #12 Ant
    November 28, 2008

    I am not technical, but I love the photos.! Myrmecos blog FTW!

  13. #13 Emily
    November 29, 2008

    Congrats!

    Everything you’ve written so far works for me… do please keep it up!

  14. #14 myrmecos
    November 30, 2008

    Thanks, everyone!