Do you ever wonder why you really blog? Perhaps it’s for money, or perhaps there’s just some subject for which you feel strongly. Sharing your thoughts in such a public manner once seemed like an odd thing to do online, but with an entire publishing industry shifting away from print media, blogs have taken on any meaning we assign. And there are several ways in which blogging can help you, on a personal level, outside of the mere act of hitting the “Publish Now” button.
No matter what your reason behind blogging, you’ll probably find that you change as a result. Even if you don’t end up making your fortune from your blog, there are several therapeutic and personal growth advantages that a blog can have. Because the task of blogging can help you establish your authority on a given subject, blogging can indirectly help you grow in confidence, rank and stature.
Your blog represents your thoughts as well as your ability to get people to listen to those thoughts. Interacting on a social level with others requires a certain amount of business and networking savvy that will attract more readers to your blog. Your writing style itself can be heavily correlated with your ability to attract an audience. With the success of your blog, you will also find increased success in your personal interactions taking place in the offline world.
I often recommend blogging for those looking to improve their public speaking skill set. Working on a blog is a way of developing your own voice. While your writing skill may improve over time, your speaking skill will also improve. Your ability to listen, assess and conclude on a given topic will aid you in decision-making in other areas of your work and personal life. The skill set required for researching a given topic will also improve, and that is a skill that can be applied to any given topic in your personal and professional life.
Blogging can also help you blog better. In other words, practice makes perfect. When developing your blogging skills with an intention of improving your personal and business skills, you should try to set aside some time to really focus on individual skill sets. By doing this, you will more readily analyze your existing skill level, and the areas that could use some extra attention. Look at your personal and work life outside of blogging and see which areas need improvement. Apply this to your blogging practice, and see how your skill sets can be improved.
In the case of blogging for practice and skill development, it’s fair to utilize a personal blog for this purpose. I wouldn’t recommend a private blog for practice–that’s what your word processor is for. Keep your practice blog public, so you can still interact with others and receive feedback from your readers. Do, however, keep your practice blog separate from your primary blog. A personal blog is perfect for developing various skills and techniques. Facebook Notes is another useful tool that can be used to flex your blogging muscles.
I have been blogging for about a year. I have a few blogs but my main one is about an illness that I have. Not only has blogging been educational to me in that I have done a lot of research on my illness, it has also allowed me to connect with other's who have the same problems.
It has been a terrific experience.
David
I think what you're doing is brave and important for others to learn from. Thanks for commenting!
great article. the process of writing is really as important as the finished product, imho. even if I end up deleting the sentences that were the most therapeutic! there's good research behind the notion that people can work through issues by writing it out, too. thanks!
Yes, it can definitely help you work out some issues! Another good point. Thanks!
You’re right Kristen, I’m not the person I was last year. I’m much more confident, vocal and knowledgeable.
Blogging has helped me reach out and interact with people I never would have if I hadn’t turned to blogging. As my blog grows, so do I and on all levels.
I feel much better once I hit the “publish’ button. I feel I have met a deadline, put out great content, helped someone and thus achieved something.
Yes, I know that feeling of accomplishment! Good for you! Rock on.