I attended a networking event recently and I was telling a friend about two new services I’d just launched – a Blog Writing Consultation and an Awards Writing Consultation.
While explaining the former, she asked: “But why would I want to write a blog?” at first, I was a little taken aback, I mean someone had asked a question that you could assess as asking “Well, what’s the point of blogging?”
However, this person is a friend, so I knew that’s not what she meant, and the question was perfectly valid.
So, why would anyone want to write a blog?
Finding Your Voice:
Nowadays, much of our media is consumed online, and information flows freely. This means that anyone with a passion and a keyboard can carve out a space to be heard, with blogging being a powerful way to express your feelings, show your professional prowess, and position yourself as a voice of authority on a given subject. You can also use it to sell products and let people in on how your business works (building trust and credibility,) as well as potentially using it to blow off some steam.
We all have unique experiences and areas of expertise. A blog allows you to share that knowledge with the world. Whether you’re a passionate poet, a brilliant baker, or a wholehearted history buff, there’s an audience who will want to hear your perspective.
Blogging lets you delve into topics you’re passionate about and tell them with experiences that only you’ve had in life. For example, I write a parenting blog (Dad’s the Word) where I write about my experiences as a Dad. My hope with that was that it would be a diary piece to look back on years from now that I could show the kids. I was also hoping to help other parents who may have experienced some of the funnier, and also harder times.
Establish Yourself As An Authority:
Consistent blogging on a specific niche allows you to build credibility and position yourself as an expert in your field. By providing valuable content and engaging with your audience, you earn trust and recognition. This can be particularly beneficial for professionals who want to showcase their expertise and attract potential clients or employers. A well-maintained blog acts as a digital portfolio, demonstrating your skills, knowledge, and writing ability.
A blog that is well-researched, well-written, and well-structured will help people think more clearly on a subject, build up their knowledge of something and in turn, get them engaged with you and your writing.
Build a Community:
Blogging creates connections. As you share your thoughts, you attract other people who share your point of view, and others who don’t. Don’t be afraid to respond to comments, it’s how we build our connections even further, accepting criticism and improving our writing skills too. It’s also a great place to foster connections for potential collaborations or friendships.
As mentioned above it can also help you to improve your writing skills. As you write more and more it will become easier. Over time, you’ll develop a distinct voice and writing style that resonates with your readers, and this improved writing ability may translate to other areas of life, from professional communication to personal expression. The benefits are endless.
Open Doors to New Opportunities:
A well-maintained blog can be a springboard for exciting new opportunities. As your audience grows and your expertise is recognised, you might attract freelance writing gigs, speaking engagements, or collaborations with other bloggers.
Your blog could even evolve into a source of income through advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling your products or services.
Just a Bit of Fun:
For some, the above isn’t important. They don’t want to make money or get more writing jobs, they just want a space to share their thoughts, or just keep a diary-like progress report on a subject (like children growing up.)
And that’s OK too. Setting up a blog is easier than ever, with numerous platforms available. And if you need help in deciding what to do to launch a blog, then I’ve just released a course ‘The Write Path: Blogging for Beginners.’