From the Editor's Desk
Beginning this month, Phlebotomy Today will be transitioning to something more akin to a blog.
Don't let that concern you. You'll still receive the same high-quality articles, impeccably researched information, and standards-based advice you've been enjoying since 2000, including my popular From the Editor's Desk column. You'll just receive them differently. I think you'll like the changes.
You may not realize it, but Phlebotomy Today has always been a blog, technically speaking. Each month, I'd write about nine posts in a blogging web site, then compile them into one email to you, all attractively assembled beneath the Phlebotomy Today masthead as an "issue." It worked for me and I know it's been working for you due to the massive readership Phlebotomy Today has enjoyed over the years. You just never saw the blog site, but now you will. Beginning this month I'll be making the blog page public and sending each post to you as I write them instead of compiling them all into an "issue." Here's what it looks like today, but it'll change significantly over the next few months as I massage the archives into being easier on the eyes. For the short term, please forgive some "wonkiness" on fonts as I work back through hundreds of posts.
Why the change? Three reasons. First, it provides you with instant access to breaking developments in the industry. You will no longer have to wait until the next month to get the scoop on what's newsworthy and relevant to your day-to-day responsibilities. Secondly, it gives me the flexibility I've been needing for some time now. Without a monthly deadline to put out an "issue," I can post new and topical material immediately instead of cramming everything into the first week of every month.
Thirdly, and probably the biggest reason, is that I want to write in a style that's less technical and more conversational. I'm a creative writer at heart, and I need to let my voice run unharnessed by the constraints and conventions of purely technical (read "stodgy") writing. That's the beauty of blogging. So you can expect my future articles to be more conversational, personable, and light-hearted; yet still packed with solid information to help you do what you do best...and a lot more enjoyable for me to write.
The Phlebotomy Today blog, no longer something we'll call a newsletter, begins now. There is nothing you need to do during this transition. Your experience as a subscriber will not change except for the frequency of articles you'll receive. (If you've been forwarding "issues" along to your staff or students all along, you can still do that for each post you receive. But it may be more convenient for you if you simply have them subscribe for themselves here.) You'll still get no more than two promos of our products each month, just as you have been. I hope that's still okay. That's how I can continue writing good, reliable information for you to implement and enjoy, and I appreciate your accepting the information in exchange.
Oh, there's one additional change I think you'll like. Each article will have a link taking you to my blog where it also resides, providing you with an opportunity to comment on the article and interact with other subscribers. Building that community is a benefit I really like, and I think you will, too.
As always, it's an honor to serve you. Send any comments or article ideas to me at editor@phlebotomy.com.
Respectfully,
Dennis J. Ernst Mt(ASCP), NCPT(NCCT)
Editor