The Answer to the Question: Why Blog?
Most of you have probably already seen this video (if your browser doesn’t display the video, get it on YouTube here). It’s message is pretty difficult to refute – the Social Media Revolution is upon us. I mean, the one stat alone that ‘If Facebook (with over 400 million active users) were a country it would be the world’s 4th 3rd largest between above the United States and with only China and India being larger is incredible. People are getting involved – they’re on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and increasingly, they blog. According to Universal McCann, 133,000,000 blogs have been indexed by Technorati since 2002 and 77% of internet users are reading blogs. Are you blogging? Are you wondering if you should be?
The blog, the future buzz had a great article on the 70 Usable Stats from the 2009 State Of the Blogosphere with some great stats on what motivates bloggers and the impact to their business. Here are some of my favorites:
71% say they blog at least in order to speak their minds
72% say they blog to share their expertise
53% are looking to attract new clients from blogging
72% of those who are self-employed and blogging are interested in attracting new clients
71% of respondents who maintain blogs for a business report that they have increased their visibility within their industries through their blogs
58% say that they are better known in their industry because of their blog
All great numbers, and good reasons to blog. I’m definitely blogging for some of these reasons – I’m passionate about organizational culture discussion and the talent side of the business. I like the idea of sharing my experiences, and I have been pitching my company’s leadership to start a business blog specifically because of some of these statistics.
But, when I really sat down and thought about why I am blogging, here is what I drew up:
For me, I’m blogging because, well, because I wasn’t. And I felt like that was leaving an opportunity on the table, because in the consulting business, and in business in general, being a good connector is a good thing. And effective connectors are good at building actionable communities. Apparently, I am not the only one who feels that way. When I typed in “HR blogging and connectedness” into Google, I recognized the 5′th result that got returned: Ben Eubank’s Upstart HR. One of Steve Boese’s HR Technology class students, Carolina Correa, just recently guest posted on Ben’s site about a similar topic, writing “To blog or not to blog is a debate that only finds answers when discussed in the context of finding value, this is true not just for the HR community but just about any profession seeking the comforts of connectedness.”
Well said Carolina. Because within that connectedness is opportunity. Opportunity to learn, contribute, build relationships, and build a community. And that’s why I blog.
Thoughts?
What motivated you to start blogging? Is blogging helping you or your business? What are people doing wrong out there on their personal or business blogs. Share your thoughts in the comments section!
(6/17/2010 – Updated the post with the latest Social Media Revolution video with updates statistics)
Has my blog done a lot for me? In (two) words: Hell Yes. I would not be anywhere near where I am today if it wasn’t for starting a blog back in February. Launching MattChevy.com today would have NEVER happened if I hadn’t spent the past year hustling, building community, and above all asking questions and learning every step of the way. Now my blog is more than a blog…much more. It’s a community and a platform for both personal fulfillment, and over the past half-year, a platform to launch my professional career as an entrepreneur.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – whether your a business or just a regular guy like yours truly, a blog can open up a WORLD of possibilities for you – and can be the springboard toward connecting you with so many amazing people.
Cheers!
Have you ever wanted to be heard? Have you ever worked for an employer and didn’t have the final say over what you could write about? Well blogging is your opportunity. For many in the entertainment industry it’s an outlet to be able to fully express ourselves. I know several people who have successfully branded themselves via their blog.
Great post Jason. Looking forward to seeing what answers pop up.
For me personally, why I started blogging and why I continue blogging are two different reasons.
I started because I wanted to share ideas. I had only three years of HR experience in that point in my life so it was also a way to connect with other people. I lived in a tiny town (our SHRM group had under 30 people in it) so it was a great way to connect with people I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to connect with.
Now it has become this part of my life. I don’t think of people as my virtual contacts versus traditionally networked contacts. I don’t think of my blog as a broadcasting platform anymore. It is just part of what I do, how I connect and how others connect with me.
great post. i dwelled on this during my six month anniversary and found somewhat similar themes. one thing i also discovered was that through the act of blogging, i grew more courageous. more courageous to learn, test, explore, and fail. in case you’re interested: http://www.freerangecomm.com/2009/12/happy-six-month-anniversary/
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I initially started my blog as a project for a social media class (I’m a college student) and because I was told by professionals that it will help me get hired one day. That was then. Now I agree with Fran, I’ve grown more courageous, I’m more open to criticism and accountability and I’m a better writer. It has also helped me to have a platform to share my ideas, share what I’m learning and to engage other students.
Love the post, Jason. Like Lance, I can’t wait to see everyone’s responses.
I started blogging because I felt like I had a different perspective on things – I was 26 and didn’t have the experience that everyone else did – but I had the passion for the industry. I kept blogging because it has really had a huge impact on my life, my career and has introduced me to people that I would have never known otherwise.
Now, I can’t imagine not doing it. Its become part of who I am, how I vent and a way for me to really examine things for myself.
Quite simply, I blog for me. (But, Its pretty awesome that other people enjoy it)
I agree with Sarah. I do it mostly for me but am psyched to be sharing and gaining insight from readers.
I started my blog so that I could make a change. Writing it out made the changes I wanted to make more of obligations. People were reading to see how it would go – I had to actually do it so I could tell them.
I benefit from the blog big time – it makes me examine my life and habits honestly and helps me to be proactive about changing unhealthy situations.
love the post!
My reasons are pretty much the same as Lance and Sarah.
I’m not the most experienced of HR folk, but man do I have opinions about HR. Pretty good ones that I’ll eventually get around to blogging about. I’ve always had a passion for writing, and I’ve always been a very good writer. Blogging is a way for me to share my opinions and expertise, and ultimately come together with like-minded (and sometimes not-so-like-minded) people. I love to learn, and I love to be challenged and think differently.
Blogging allows me to connect with hordes of people that I would have never been able to otherwise in a physical sense. We may not see – or even hear – each other, but what brings us together is a shared passion of a subject and a desire to learn more about it.
@Matt – I thought this topic would resonate with you, and I know you are a huge advocate of blogging and the power of the results you can generate through a blog. Congrats on the success of http://lifewithoutpants.com and good luck on http://mattchevy.com. Great designs on both!
@Christie – Thanks for commenting! Me and 71% of others agree with you – blogging is a great medium to speak your mind, completely unfiltered. I’ll definitely stop by your blog to see what you have to say.
@Lance – Great point on a blog being a way to connect with others that you can learn from, especially important for those just starting their careers. And for those who don’t want to pull the trigger on a blog yet, I would urge them to get involved by reading, and commenting on other great blogs out there. They should start at http://rehaul.com which is one of the best! Thanks for the comment.
@Fran – I checked out your six-month anniversary post and subscribed to your blog. Will be on the lookout for more great stuff there!
@Evan – Glad we’re connected on twitter and thanks for reading. I think the blog is definitely a good tool to help people become better writers, and in business, that’s a great skill to have.
@Sarah – You are definitely well connected and it’s great that you can attribute that back at least partially to your blogs. Thanks for the continued support here and for putting out great content on http://imsocorporate.com
@Bea – Interesting re: examine my life and habits honestly and helps me to be proactive about changing unhealthy situations. I think that can be said across a wide range of content – personal and professional – a blog can definitely help the author, and those in the ‘community’ change
@Jonathan – Thanks Jonathan. Totally agree on creating a forum to meet like-minded individuals. Like minded doesn’t have to be synonymous with group think, and sometimes I think the most controversial topics and positions can elicit the best discussion.
When I resolved six weeks ago to blog every day I did not realize that blogging is much more than posting an intimate diary to be seen by anyone who cares. It is more about connections and you must enter the blogosphere with open ears. I have learned more about business, single parenthood, human nature, world news, recipes, social entrepreneurship and tons more. Participating in the conversation gives meaning to blogging. It more about listening as it is about sharing your own thoughts. Critics label blogging as a display of narcissism and I disagree. Sharing and exposing yourself can work in wondrous ways when you are open.
Diane – Thanks for the comment. Blogging every day would definitely be a challenge. I like to post 1-2 times a week. I agree that it’s less about just putting thoughts on paper and more about creating dialogue with your community. I agree on the learning piece – I have learned an immense amount through social media!
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