Reaching the “Tumblrbetics”

Meeting Informational Needs within the T1D Community on Tumblr

The need within the T1D community

The T1D community would majorly benefit from a website/blog that focuses on research updates, technological improvements and strides made towards finding a cure for T1D.

This would create a better educated and more involved T1D community.

Has this been tried before? Where can it be done better?

The Unrealized Tumblr Demographic

Tumblr is a website that is dominated by the teenage/young adult demographic.

There is a large diabetic community already active on Tumblr.

Predominantly made up of diabetic teenagers posting about highs, lows, and everything in between.

Who are the “Tumblrbetics?”

The T1D community on Tumblr uses this mainly as a place to vent, ask for advice, and encourage others in their walks with T1D.

Are they even interested in getting research updates? Is Tumblr the place for this?

Search Results:

What is Tumblr? Tumblr is a blogging site that is used to share pictures, videos and

GIFs. How can this be used well by someone looking to share research updates?

When Considering Tumblr Posts…

It is important to consider what the audience expects.

Tumblr is used as a place to share GIFs, images, etc.

In order to be relevant with this audience, you have to engage in these sort of posts too.

Part wittiness, humor, and research update information…

Tagging Posts for SEO

Popular Tumblrbetic Tags: Type 1 OR Type 1

Diabetes Diabetic Probs OR

Diabetic Problems Diabetic Confessions Divabetic Diabeetus (this is usually

accompanied by a picture of Wilfurd Brimley with glowing eyes)

Posting Strategies:

Different optimal posting time range Don’t bother posting before 4

P.M. Between 7 and 10 P.M. is

optimal Friday nights are especially

busy nights on Tumblr.

Would anyone actually use this?

I have started an example blog entitled T1Dresearch.tumblr.com

The Tumblrbetics have welcomed me into their community.

In my first 4 posts, I gained 7 new followers and 11 different interactions with those posts.

The Tumblrbetics have engaged.

In Conclusion…DO

DO know your audience DO use pictures, GIFs, memes,

and videos in as many posts as possible

DO know how to speak to your audience, know the language

DO post at optimal times DO tag posts to make them SEO DO reblog things that are

relevant to your beat

DON’T DON’T try to turn Tumblr into

something that it isn’t DON’T post long texts without

images DON’T try to be funny if you

aren’t funny DON’T get unprofessional –

don’t try to be everyone’s best friend. Be honest about who you are and what your intentions for using Tumblr are.

Any Questions?E-mail: skhoehn@live.unc.edu

Twitter: @sarahkhoehnTumblr: T1Dresearch.tumblr.com