Comments on: A Blog That Blows Me Away

By: Shelley

Shelley — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:40:59 +0000

I just learned that in today’s live chat with the SciGuy, there were 8,000 participants submitting almost 5,000 questions in that hour. Talk about getting engaged!

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:14:58 +0000

This is certainly the quintessential blog. I will certainly pass it around to those I know who live in the area.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:05:24 +0000

Bryan, this is a pretty cool site, too: http://www.stormpulse.com
(Found it on Eric’s blog, of course!)

By: Bryan Person, LiveWorld

Bryan Person, LiveWorld — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:23:09 +0000

Great link, Shelley. I live in Austin and it looks like we’ll be in Ike’s path in a few days. I’ve just subscribed to Eric’s blog in Google Reader, and I’ll be following it with great interest.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:20:11 +0000

Good point, Elaine!
BTW, the SciGuy is not a “bonafide” meteorologist, but I say he’s demonstrated his talent at moving away from traditional stilted journalism into an engaging style of writing and reporting. Maybe that makes him a media-rologist instead?

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:53:17 +0000

This is an excellent example of “bonafide” social media having a play-by-play, interactive following. The reason I use the word, “bonafide” is because the SciGuy has more credibility under the banner of The Houston Chronicle than if it had been an unknown blogger.
With all the misinformation floating around the Blogosphere about the election, as an example, I believe this level of credibility is crucial when dealing with extreme weather that can affect people’s lives. The fact that the blog has all that you’ve listed above, Shelley, is icing on the marketing cake.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:45:51 +0000

He definitely resonates with people, Larissa! I hope your family finds Eric’s blog as useful as I have.
One additional observation my colleague Penny made, by the way: It’s very likely that the SciGuy blog is having an extremely positive impact on the Chronicle’s overall brand. Neither of us have felt particularly impressed with that newspaper for years, and now suddenly it’s a hip and useful internet destination.
I’m speaking for Penny here because right now she’s on her way to Galveston to prep the beach house for Ike…

By: Larissa Gaston

Larissa Gaston — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:29:36 +0000

Good stuff Shelley. As someone with family in the Gulf Coast area I’ll pass on this blog to them (if they don’t already know about it). As a marketer you’re right on, Eric’s subject (hurricanes) is inherently topical and frequently changing so he has an advantage on the updates, but clearly he resonates with people, and those people share his blog with others to build an audience – it’s a winning combination.