Spill It: Why Do You Blog?
If you don’t remember, “Spill It!” is a blogger’s discussion. We come up with questions; you answer them. Keep in mind that this is an open forum and we encourage you to express yourself.
This weeks question is very simple. However, it’s something that we should all think about. Kyle Steed, a graphic designer, blogger and family man said this recently,
When I first started out blogging nearly two years ago I wrote about the simple things in life, what my favorite tv show was, the new movie I just saw at the theater or maybe a new band I just started listening to. It was me testing the waters of documenting my life online and how to approach it. There wasn’t really much of a focus on what I was writing about.
Compare that with more than two years later where I have narrowed my writing down to three main topics, and I feel that I’ve somewhat found my voice in the creative community.
I like what he said because that’s what it’s about: finding your voice in your community. So know, here’s the question.
Why Do You Blog?
Go ahead. Spill.
Hey Fuel,
Great question and again glad question was not how is your blogging? That’s subjective and I’m pretty sure mine is pretty terrible. I’m a newcomer that’s been at it for just a few months now. 1> My blog is first and foremost an outlet for crazy and frequently stupid ideas. The ideas I get when I’m brushing my teeth, sat in traffic, sat in the tub, on the can. 2> It’s a calling card or a shop window for creative thinking – maybe one day it’ll land me a job. 3> Twitter’s 140 just isn’t enough. 4> No one in real life listens. 5> It’s great fun (not necessarily to read) – the act of publishing a post and watching the Google Analytic spikes is addictive. It’s drug like. Not drug induced.
You’re in it for the right reasons and that, I’m sure will bring you great results. Thanks for your participation :-)
Why do we blog?
We’re very lonely, and this makes us feel connected. Please, someone call us today and leave a voice mail. It would make us feel so much better about ourselves to know there is someone out there who would actually call and leave a message.
I started blogging as an outlet for creativity and to fuel my inspiration – and chose to do one-a-day to keep up my discipline. Occasionally I will take a weekend or day off, but then I’ll hear from readers that they missed my posts (it’s a part of their morning routine I guess!). So then, I feel a tinge of guilt…
I’ve tried to make it a habit – bottom line, I do it because I love to.
I’ve blogged on a few different sites, some my own and some run by others. I’ve tried a few different blogs with a few different themes, but currently focus on a personal blog with a general focus on marketing, but also write some personal posts and posts about print and eBooks.
The key is to write about topics you truly love or else the blogging gets tough.
I’m not really sure why I blog?
Mainly because everyone else it doing it and I felt left out.
I suppose I assume people care what I’m doing? They probably don’t but a blog is a medium of ‘getting it out there’ just in case.
Thanks
Cdoney77
http://cdoney77.blogspot.com/
Pretty simple: To update my own knowledge and share it with the world :) .
This made me think for awhile!
I started my blog to document a journey, for me it was learning how to design and build a web site. So mostly the blog is for me, to document the process and have a place to experiment with Word Press, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and PHP. But I hope that it will be a place for other beginners to stop by and see how I’m doing it, where to start and see some filtered information on good books, videos, and tutorials. There is a tremendous amount of information on the web for the beginner and some of it is not worth your time. I hope to be a filter for the good stuff. And finally, blogging is just fun……
I blog to explore what I’m interested in, share what I learn as I go, contribute to the ongoing conversation, and connect with people in a ways my great-grandma never did.
Great topic. I blog to help improve the community that has given so much to us. Blogging to give back became our mission once we realized what a great community we had found here online. Also, it helps to grow my knowledge base in areas that I need to add some strength.
I’m with you Rob. Blogging has forced me to learn. I’ve loved that.
Why do I blog?
I actually just started out, and some of it had to do with seeing everyone else doing it. But after getting set up, I’ve realized that I’ve got a lot more to learn about typography, branding and design; so my blogging will most likely direct into a place where I can learn and teach others as I go.
I think we’ve all gone through that. You start a blog thinking you know a subject then… it hits you. You’ve got so much more to learn. Thanks for your participation ;-)
I blog strictly for the money! Haha, just kidding… I blog for several reasons. I read a lot, so I like to pass on knowledge rather than just letting it waste away in my own head. I also blog because of some of the cool connections I’ve gotten to make along the way.
I have to agree with you Brandon. The connections you make as a blogger are great. If it weren’t for making connections (and being extremely lucky ;-), I wouldn’t be the Editor of this site.
why do i blog? hmmm… I got into reading blogs online (easier to hide from my manager than a big ol’ book) but as i got into reading a few, i started thinking of joining in. Plus with my hobby for writing fiction it seemed like a great medium to do so.
Great question! Blogging, for me, is a creative outlet and an extension of myself online. I write because I enjoy it, and I love interacting with others that share my interests. My blog right now is very niche, and I am currently working on a new blog that is more global. Both are still about the things I am passionate about, but I think that having a wider audience will create even more connections for me, and that’s what I enjoy the most. Secondarily, I like to teach and it’s fun to see others putting the things I write about in my blog to use.
Well the answer is simple really, to share what I have learned and experienced with the rest of the world. I do so by writing articles and sharing roundup posts of resources and tutorials and news, to help out people.
I am actually a Digital Freelance Artist, but I have taken up blogging recently, Design blogging. and it has been going really well for me. Everything is looking up and as if its going in the right path.
Blogging teaches you so much every single day. I would recommend for you to blog but, be sure to have determination and passion. Nothing comes easily in this world. Especially not Popularity on the internet.
Do not blog for the wrong reasons either, you will find yourself lost and unsure.
Do what you do and do it well.
Cheers.
Jacques “An1ken” van Heerden
Creativeoverflow.net
Thanks for your response. You make a great point. It takes passion and determination. If you don’t have those two qualities, you have to either cultivate them or your blog won’t succeed.
Simple. I’ve got a few things to say about a lot of stuff and I don’t know that many people in person who will listen to it all.
How’s that?
My blog started because my friends were sick of me talking about books all the time! I realised that book blogging is a way to connect with other book lovers as well as hone my own reviewing/writing skills. I might tell people I blog to share/talk about books that often slip under people’s radars, but to be honest it’s just plain fun.
I’m still fairly new, but I’m learning that the best book blogs out there provide a variety of content and are heavily involved in the online community. With Extra Pulp still has a way to go but that’s the fun of it as well.
I blog because I want there to be a voice to speak directly to the things I see a need for in Ministry to youth. I am not a great writer, but the content is solid. I also feel it may give me a way to think through what it is I am saying and better understand myself!
Being real and being helpful are far more important that “great writing.” Keep it up!
Thanks Brandon. This site has been helpful and I have pointed a couple guys who are thinking through blogging as a help to get started!