The other day I was asked why do you blog? Of course I answered why not? But it got me thinking... why do people blog?
Everyone has their own personal motivation, whether it's to log their
list of eateries and food they've devoured, record their opinions on
world events or even for therapeutic reasons. Either way, blogging can
bring good things to those who practice it. Based on my experience and
observations within an industry which thrives on hearing what other
people have to say, I've listed six things that blogging can do for you.
1. Write, write, write.
One thing about blogging is
you obviously have to write. And if you want other people to read what
you have to say, you need to write well. With more experience, you
begin to understand how to engage your readers and as you continue to
write, you become a better communicator.
2. The great communicator.
With each blog entry,
you are putting your personal thoughts onto paper. As you do this more
often, your communication skills increase. You'll notice your office
memos and work emails start sounding more polished. Interpreting what
others are voicing through writing or even conversationally becomes
faster and easier for you as well.
3. Attention please, this way!
Those with better
communications skills have more confidence in themselves. You'll have an
easier time socializing with people in-person and expressing your
thoughts face-to-face. Public speaking may not be something you shy
away from now. I personally hated going to social mixers, not so much
because I didn't have anything to talk about, rather I have an
introverted personality in such situations. But as I've been blogging
more, I've also opened up more. Through blogging, you start learning
more about anything and everything and have more to say during social
settings. You start bridging similarities between you and others and can
openly express your opinions while being willing to listen to theirs as
well.
4. The librarian.
Because you're writing often now,
there is a need for substance. As a blogger you can write about
anything you want but if there is no validity to them, why would anyone
want to read your blog or take you seriously for that matter? I
invented the "?" I once saw a dog walk around with a cat and a mouse on
his back. That's great but where's the evidence? You obviously need to
have some knowledge about what you're writing about and with that, comes
research. When I blog, whether it's about food or a particular current
event, I need to research the facts. I need to know where the restaurant
is, how people have reviewed it, menu, etc. Same goes with any current
event topic.
5. Organization.
In order for people to read what
you write you need to organize your thoughts and ideas and write them
clearly. As you continue to do this, your writing organization skills
increase. I've now noticed when I write anything, I begin with
structuring the document in my head. I jot down that structure on paper
and then I start filling in the blanks. Blogging has increased my
awareness for the need of organization in writing to effectively
communicate what I have to say.
6. Helping others.
Blogging makes you better at
communicating and researching topics. The more you train yourself in
these areas, the more open you are to hearing two sides to every story.
With your heighten research and organizational thought process skills,
you take in and scrutinize information before blurting out the first
thing on your mind. You become less of a "shouter" and more of a
listener. Rather than complain and rant about anything, you'll notice
you can help others with information they may lack. If readers take
issue to a particular dish they had at some restaurant, I normally find
myself asking them 1.) what was wrong with it and 2.) I give them names
of some other alternative restaurants that they could go to instead
rather than continuing their rant.
