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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