Let’s face it, the world of academic research can feel like a locked drawer, hidden behind scientific journals and scientific jargon, and presented in ways that only experts can actually understand. The truth is, while your research on family businesses may be ground-breaking, it’s probably sitting in a very dusty corner of the internet, unread by anyone outside your academic circle. Sad, right?
Meet blogs, the everyday superhero of science communication.
Whether you’re an expert researcher or a fresh PhD, using blogs to disseminate research is one of the easiest ways to get your knowledge out into the world. Blogs are informal, accessible, and yes, people actually read them. So, why not use them to make your research available to a wider audience? Here’s how you can start.
Why Blog About Your Family Business Research?
Imagine you’ve just made an amazing discovery about how family businesses succeed across generations (just an example). You’ve done the work, collected the data, and written up your findings for a journal. After months (or even years) of research, the work finally gets published. You celebrate with a well-deserved glass of whatever it is that you love (or maybe a bottle), excited that your work is finally out there.
But then comes the dark side. Your family still doesn’t quite understand what you’ve been researching all these years, your non-academic friends think you study “something about families,” and the general public? They have no idea your work even exists.
The reality is that journals are not meant for broad audiences. They’re written by experts, for experts. That’s where blogging comes in. A blog can help you:
- Break down your findings into simpler language.
- Reach a global audience from other researchers to curious laypeople.
- Promote your work and increase its visibility.
If you’re really lucky, your blog post could even go viral. (Okay, that’s probably a long shot but dreaming is free.)
How to Get Started
Now, before you say, “But I’m a researcher, not a writer,” relax. You don’t need to be Shakespeare to write a blog. The whole point of blogging is to communicate in a straightforward, conversational tone. Think of it like explaining your research to a friend who knows nothing about your field.
Here’s a simple blueprint to help you craft your first research blog post:
1. Start with a Hook
You need to grab attention fast. Start with an interesting fact, a surprising finding, or a relatable anecdote that ties into your family business research. For example, if your research is on succession planning, you could start with: “Did you know that 70% of family businesses don’t survive to the second generation? It’s not just the money, family dynamics play a huge role!”
Hooks work because they draw people in, making them want to read more. After all, nobody’s going to read a post titled, “The Impact of Governance Structures on Long-Term Sustainability in Multigenerational Family Firms.” Ouch.
2. Explain Your Research in Plain Language
Now that you’ve got their attention, it’s time to explain what you actually did. But, remember, no one outside your field cares about the specifics of your methodology (no offense). What they care about is the bigger picture—why it matters. Focus on what makes your research interesting and relevant to everyday life.
A simple rule: If a high school student can’t understand your blog, it’s too complicated.
Instead of saying: “Our study demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between family involvement in governance and firm performance,” say: “We found that when families are more involved in decision-making, their businesses tend to do better. It turns out that grandma and grandpa might actually know a thing or two about running the company!”
3. Tell a Story
People love stories. It’s a fact of life. And you, dear researcher, are sitting on a goldmine of stories. Whether it’s the “eureka” moment that led to your research or a challenge you overcame, personal stories add color to what might otherwise be a dry topic.
For instance, if you spent months interviewing family business owners about their struggles with passing leadership to the next generation, that’s a story worth sharing. Maybe there was a dad who refused to let go of control even though his children were itching to modernize the business. Make your research journey relatable and human, people will be much more likely to stay engaged.
4. Use Visuals
Let’s be real, long blocks of text are intimidating. Spice up your blog post with visuals, graphs, photos, or even cartoons (if you’re feeling bold). Visuals not only make your post more attractive, but they also help readers better understand complex concepts.
For example, if you’re explaining the family business governance structures, a simple chart showing how ownership and control pass through generations can make a world of difference. Even a quick sketch of a family tree with key roles highlighted could help your readers visualize how things work.
5. Keep It Short and Sweet
Nobody’s going to read a 5,000 word post about your research. Aim for 800 to 1,200 words at most. Keep your sentences short, and avoid unnecessary jargon.
The best blog posts get to the point quickly and don’t waste the reader’s time. So, skip the convoluted explanations and focus on what’s essential: What did you find? Why does it matter? What should people take away from it?
6. End with a Call to Action
Wrap things up with a call to action. This could be as simple as encouraging readers to share your post, asking them to leave comments, or inviting them to check out your full research paper (if they’re into that sort of thing).
For example, if your research focuses on family business succession planning, you could end with: “If you’re part of a family business, now’s the time to start thinking about your own succession plan. Don’t wait for a crisis to have these tough conversations.”
Where to Share Your Blog
Once you’ve written your masterpiece, you’ll want to share it with the world. Start by posting it on a personal blog or a platform like Medium and Substack, or even pitch it to online magazines and newspapers where you can reach a larger audience. Some universities and institutions have science communication blogs where you can submit guest posts.
Don’t forget to share your blog on social media! Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter (or X, or whatever it’s called now) are great for connecting with both the public and other researchers. Just make sure to use hashtags to increase visibility. #FamilyBusinessResearch, anyone?
Embrace Your Inner Blogger
You’ve spent years mastering your skills as a researcher. Why not take a few hours to master your skills as a communicator, too? Blogs are a great way to make your family business research more accessible and impactful. Plus, you might just find that blogging is a fun break from the technical mood of academia.
So, that's it, grab your laptop and get writing, because the world out there is indeed more interested than you think!
P:S.: If you got to the end of this post, it probably means there is hope for everyone right :-)? It is easier than you think!
Valentina Re
IFERA Executive Director
