I knew there were benefits of blogging before I even started, but what I really saw was blogging as a continuance of my passion, using computers and technology to feed my entrepreneurial spirit.
There was much to learn and I knew that along the way discoveries related to the craft would be revealed, and there have been many.
In this post I wanted to share my thoughts on just a few of those benefits of blogging, some of which were anticipated, while others came as pleasant surprises.
Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience.
These are in no particular order of importance, so here we go.
A Keener Sense of Listening
I’ve always been a good listener because that is how you learn and communicate. But my hearing has changed now; I listen with the ear of a writer, which is very different. This means that you engage in conversations like always, but subconsciously the radar is always up scanning for a blog post idea.
Post ideas aside, the real benefit is that you become a more intense listener which is a tremendous asset. It seems that information is processed differently once you become a blogger, processed in a very positive way.
Become a Better Communicator
Writing blog posts regularly makes you a better writer and communicator overall. You have to convert your thoughts into words and arrange them so that they are easy to follow (people like easy). I am not claiming to be the world’s best writer, far from that, but the benefit is that you do become better than you were before you began blogging.
Like anything else in life, you become more proficient as you go along.
A Level Playing Field Without Barriers
Unlike society as we know it, everyone has an opportunity to realize their dreams and aspirations. Removed are the societal barriers that we often encounter. With blogging, hard work and dedication allows your voice to be heard the same as anyone else. You can build your business or enhance your brand in the same manner as the large corporations. This is a tremendous benefit.
Enhanced Networking
The opportunity to reach so many people in the shortest amount of time is a tremendous benefit for bloggers and business operators. But beyond that and of greater importance is the fact that you meet and interact with so many wonderful people, building relationships and expanding your circle of friends. Although physically separated, great friendships are developed and become special.
There is also the exposure aspect, which can lead to many business opportunities like joint ventures and affiliate agreements.
Express Your Passion
What greater opportunity could be had than that of doing exactly what you are most passionate about, making that particular topic your focus and building that into a successful business venture?
This is the best of all worlds and could hardly be perceived by you as a job. The enjoyment of following your passion and sharing it with a targeted audience of like-minded individuals is pure bliss.
Content Delivery Systems
In today’s Web 2.0 environment there are so many tools for automating the delivery of your content that I sometimes wonder if some actually realize the power of this benefit. Many offline businesses are missing the boat on this big-time.
The use of RSS and other feed aggregators has made it so easy to deliver content to numbers only limited by your ability to build a community.
There is also the use of email auto responders, a tool no blog should be without as this makes distribution a breeze when it comes to reaching your subscribers.
Intangibles
Just think about all of the other intangible skills you develop as a benefit of blogging. A high degree of focus and discipline is required to successfully operate your blog for one. You may also learn or enhance other skills like video editing or graphics design, even public speaking.
Closing
The world of blogging is a very special place that I am happy to be a part of. If I had to choose one regret, it would be that I did not begin sooner.
So what about you, what benefits have you realized from your blogging experiences?
Would you like to add to or expand upon any of the above? If so, by all means please leave your input below.
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24 Responses to The Benefits of Blogging
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" @sbc111 That's quite a thrill ride. Great that you have that skill. " — JimiJones
There are, as you say, many tools now that blogging so easy from the logistics point of view, but all that counts for nothing if there is no drive or a way with words to put that passion over or an insight into how your blog can change people’s lives.
The unexpected advantage of blogging is the friendship that I’ve discovered online with similar minded people who help each other out. Priceless.
.-= Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Ireland’s Finance Department Warns On Cloud Computing #Fail =-.
You nailed it there, Kevin. I agree and think that is the largest benefit of all. The helpful and really nice people we encounter online really make the overall experience fantastic.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
There are, as you say, many tools now that blogging so easy from the logistics point of view, but all that counts for nothing if there is no drive or a way with words to put that passion over or an insight into how your blog can change people’s lives.
The unexpected advantage of blogging is the friendship that I’ve discovered online with similar minded people who help each other out. Priceless.
.-= Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Ireland’s Finance Department Warns On Cloud Computing #Fail =-.
You nailed it there, Kevin. I agree and think that is the largest benefit of all. The helpful and really nice people we encounter online really make the overall experience fantastic.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
Blogging’s great because it allow people to have their say and get their voice out there. 20 years ago if I wanted to talk about Self-Development I would have had to get on TV or Radio or write a book and have to continuously battle with a handful of massive players in the arena.
Now I can write my own stuff and promote it for free. Have people all over the world come and read and share my thoughts and ideas. This is why blogging is massive.
Great post Jimi
.-= Ben´s last blog ..Everything I Need to Know About Personal Discovery I Learned from Anime =-.
Hey Ben,
how goes bud?
Excellent example of how the playing field has been leveled. Blogging is a powerful platform from which to communicate your ideas and viewpoints.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
Blogging’s great because it allow people to have their say and get their voice out there. 20 years ago if I wanted to talk about Self-Development I would have had to get on TV or Radio or write a book and have to continuously battle with a handful of massive players in the arena.
Now I can write my own stuff and promote it for free. Have people all over the world come and read and share my thoughts and ideas. This is why blogging is massive.
Great post Jimi
.-= Ben´s last blog ..Everything I Need to Know About Personal Discovery I Learned from Anime =-.
Hey Ben,
how goes bud?
Excellent example of how the playing field has been leveled. Blogging is a powerful platform from which to communicate your ideas and viewpoints.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
I know exactly what you mean by the better listener, although my kids are ever vigilant in spotting a blog post in the making. Often wanting to be the center of said post. Not sure I’ve become a better communicator offline, but I am learning to trim down my wordiness when writing for others online.
The biggest benefit I have found is finding like-minded people and people who have expanded my horizons with their thought provoking posts. I may have missed out on them had I never started writing and reading blogs. A large world just got smaller.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Self-aware or Self-obsessed =-.
Hi Anne,
The networking and meeting others is by far the largest benefit for me as well. I think that has been the biggest surprise. I expected to meet lots of folks, but the experience has surpassed my expectations. It’s really been great.
Good to see you.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
I know exactly what you mean by the better listener, although my kids are ever vigilant in spotting a blog post in the making. Often wanting to be the center of said post. Not sure I’ve become a better communicator offline, but I am learning to trim down my wordiness when writing for others online.
The biggest benefit I have found is finding like-minded people and people who have expanded my horizons with their thought provoking posts. I may have missed out on them had I never started writing and reading blogs. A large world just got smaller.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Self-aware or Self-obsessed =-.
Hi Anne,
The networking and meeting others is by far the largest benefit for me as well. I think that has been the biggest surprise. I expected to meet lots of folks, but the experience has surpassed my expectations. It’s really been great.
Good to see you.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
One of the benefits that I have experienced from blogging is meeting so many wonderful people, but not only that, knowing that I have helped someone with something I have said really inspires me the more to keep on blogging.
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..Commenting System Technical Issues =-.
Hi Evelyn, good to see you.
Meeting so many nice people seems to be the largest benefit for most. I expected it to some degree, but must admit, I was surprised at how wide-spread this is. Now if we can get the regular offline world to adopt the same attitude…
It does feel good to help others, just something about that.
Thanks for visiting.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
One of the benefits that I have experienced from blogging is meeting so many wonderful people, but not only that, knowing that I have helped someone with something I have said really inspires me the more to keep on blogging.
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..Commenting System Technical Issues =-.
Hi Evelyn, good to see you.
Meeting so many nice people seems to be the largest benefit for most. I expected it to some degree, but must admit, I was surprised at how wide-spread this is. Now if we can get the regular offline world to adopt the same attitude…
It does feel good to help others, just something about that.
Thanks for visiting.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
hi jimi,
how are you?
it’s been amazing blogging in the past few months and i have met wonderful people. I have collaborated with a few in joint projects that were successful.
From my experience, blogging has also made me a critical thinker and researcher. I tend to think deeply, scribble thoughts on paper, research a few topics or case studies either related to promoting my blog, blogging or my field of study.
Do have a lovely day.
.-= ayo´s last blog ..46 Things To Do, When People Don’t Like You. =-.
Hey Ayo, how are you, friend?
You have described what blogging is all about and getting those thoughts onto paper means you are never out of ideas for writing posts.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
hi jimi,
how are you?
it’s been amazing blogging in the past few months and i have met wonderful people. I have collaborated with a few in joint projects that were successful.
From my experience, blogging has also made me a critical thinker and researcher. I tend to think deeply, scribble thoughts on paper, research a few topics or case studies either related to promoting my blog, blogging or my field of study.
Do have a lovely day.
.-= ayo´s last blog ..46 Things To Do, When People Don’t Like You. =-.
Hey Ayo, how are you, friend?
You have described what blogging is all about and getting those thoughts onto paper means you are never out of ideas for writing posts.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..The Benefits of Blogging =-.
And it can be done from virtually anywhere, with or without an office
.-= Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Protect Your Reputation-Practice Truth in Advertising =-.
That’s huge!
Blogging from different places is something I plan to do more of while traveling. One of the first considerations for travel now is, do they have an internet connection?
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Gaining Momentum While Blogging =-.
And it can be done from virtually anywhere, with or without an office
.-= Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Protect Your Reputation-Practice Truth in Advertising =-.
That’s huge!
Blogging from different places is something I plan to do more of while traveling. One of the first considerations for travel now is, do they have an internet connection?
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Gaining Momentum While Blogging =-.