Some thoughts on medical blogging vs. Twitter

These are some thoughts on medical blogging from my Twitter stream:

  • If you are a medical blogger, don't abandon your blog for Twitter. Look at Scoble for an example.

  • If you are a prolific Twitterer (somebody who posts a lot on Twitter and/or has many followers), consider starting a blog.

  • Start a blog plus Twitter - just a piece of advice from somebody who has had a medical blog for 4 years.

  • Twitter "brings business" to the blog. Visitor numbers went up and I often get comments on Twitter rather than on the blog.

  • Twitter brings new ideas, and the blog generally feels "fresher" and more in the flow of things (it could be temporary).

  • Nobody enjoys blogging all the time. There are ups & downs like everything in life. Blogging due to external stimuli (comments, newspaper coverage) always stops.

  • Medical blogger rule #1: write for your own CME and create an educational portfolio = best road to blog longevity.

  • Some people don't like too many posts, others don't like too few. Post what you think is useful, what you want to read.

  • Most good medical bloggers are very supportive and encouraging. Always ask for advice when you need it.

  • Twitter is easy but doesn't "last" - apart from the embarrassing posts, of course.

  • Many people don't feel like writing a blog - so many great/funny/silly ideas would have gone unpublished if it weren't for Twitter.

  • Social media is (still) a matter of personal preference. You cannot "make" doctors blog unless they want to.

  • In a way, Google itself is a social bookmarking tool too - you vote by linking from your website.

  • There will not be Twitter (in its current form) in 2-5 years, it's so rudimentary.

  • I could be wrong but I just don't think Twitter popularity & hype will last very long. That's why I re-post the valuable bits on my blog.

  • FriendFeed is a better platform but the "crowd" is on Twitter.

  • For companies, resistance to social media is futile: Debunking 6 Social Media Myths http://is.gd/k6c4

Here is how to facilitate the Rise of the ePhysican who works hand in hand with the ePatient:



References:
How to deal with the information overload from blogs, RSS and Twitter?
Assistant professor uses Twitter to teach students dental anatomy at Ohio State University - 113 of 200 students signed up, 56% http://goo.gl/jvyq7

5 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed this post. I'm in the business of simplifying blogging via online talk radio so I meet people everyday that don't understand the value. I think with Twitter you can build relationships quickly and with a blog you can establish yourself as the "expert" in your field. Great comments. I'd like to talk to you about this further. jennifer szunko at www.vertio.net

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  2. Mentioned your post on my blog - thanks!
    http://tinyurl.com/c7fq6y

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  3. Thanks for this post! It is a very good explanation of some of the plusses and minuses of blogs vs twitter.

    I have a hard time explaining Twitter to people who don't regularly use the internet, so this helps!

    Keep up the great work! I really enjoy your blog...and one of these days I just might follow you on Twitter!

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  4. Well, Thanks for the great comparison. :)

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