Table of Contents

Blogs

Podcasts

Videos

Conclusion

Science communication is essential for making research accessible, engaging, and impactful.

At Zeeks, we specialise in science communication training and content creation, and one of the most commonly asked questions is:

"Should I use blogs, podcasts, or videos for science communication?"

Especially because time is a rare commodity for all of us.

But it’s not just time that is important, it is also your goals, target audience, available resources, and personal preferences.

Therefore, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, BUT there are some points to consider.

Let’s take a look at comparing blogs, podcasts, and videos for science communication.

Blogs

Blogs are a cornerstone of digital science communication. They are highly searchable, easy to produce, and can provide detailed, structured explanations. Scientists, journalists, and educators often use blogs to create digestible content.

I mean, you are literally reading this blog right now – justifying that blogs are not dead (yet).

Stick with blogs if…

• Establish yourself as a subject matter expert, and drive traffic to your website.

• Your audience prefers in-depth, text-based content (this is ideal if you want to add links, images, references).

• You are looking for a relatively low-cost way to publish science communication content (you don’t even need to have a website, but use platforms such as Medium).

  
  

Podcasts

Podcasts have exploded in popularity, offering an engaging, conversational format for discussing scientific topics. They are ideal for storytelling, expert interviews, and panel discussions.

Most listeners tune in to podcasts while commuting or exercising, which allows for longer, more in-depth explorations of scientific topics.

But a podcast isn’t just a one-off project - it thrives on consistency, growing into a body of work that keeps listeners coming back.

How do you maintain audience engagement over time?

(a)  Content – obviously good quality content is key to engaged and trusting listeners.

(b)  Quality – for me, there is nothing more annoying than bad audio-quality. As a non-native English speaker, I want to be able to follow a conversation easily!

(c)   Regularity – publish regularly and predictably. Make it easy for your audience to find your content, and keep adding to their curiosity.

Stick with podcasts if…

• Your audience enjoys conversational, on-the-go content.

• You have engaging speakers or experts to interview.

• You want to build a loyal following with regular episodes.

At Zeeks, our Keep it Science podcast (co-produced with Acorn) has proven the power of audio storytelling in engaging diverse audiences!

Videos

Videos combine visual and audio elements, making them one of the most powerful tools for science communication.

Particularly short video content is trending, and scientists and companies are creating new audiences on platforms such as YouTube or TikTok.

But videos are also great for longer content, such as in-depth tutorials.,

Stick with videos if…

• Your topic is highly visual (e.g., microscopy, physics simulations, medical imaging, coding).

• You want to engage audiences on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.

• You are comfortable speaking on camera or working with a presenter.

Conclusion

The best medium for science communication depends on your goals, audience, and available resources. Blogs are great for SEO and in-depth explanations, podcasts are perfect for storytelling and audience loyalty, and videos maximise engagement through visuals.

If you want to develop a science communication strategy tailored to your needs, get in touch with Zeeks!