So you’re thinking of starting a blog. Here are the top seven reasons why you want to start a blog sooner rather than later. As in now.
Reason #1: We all have opinions. Why not go big with yours and let the world know? My close friend Silvia Stephenson, the uber-talented web designer who crafted this website, is passionate about everything from people cutting her off in traffic and dog poop to SEO “experts” (inject sarcasm here) and her latest favorite artist. I keep telling her that she needs to start a blog called Silvia’s Rant. Besides, she’s the one who convinced me to start my blog, so fair is fair.
Reason #2: If you look long and hard at your life, you’ll realize that you’re an expert in something. Why not share that knowledge? Who knows where passing along your insights or tricks of the trade will lead.
Reason #3: Blogs are a great way to publicize products and services. Increasingly people want to know who’s behind the product or service they’re purchasing. And as my friend Silvia pointed out to me, your website doesn’t really give them a sense of who you are as a person or how you think. A blog can do both.
Reason #4: If you’re writing a book, a blog will help you build a platform–otherwise known as a ready-made readership. One of my writing coach clients, Junling Hu, is working on a book about data mining. Since her blog attracts several thousand unique views a week even though she rarely updates it. So she knows that she has an audience for her book as soon as she publishes it. Should she decide to seek a publisher instead of self-publishing, those numbers will help her get that oh-so-elusive deal.
Reason #5: Blogs allow you to explore an idea without having to commit to a book. After recovering from cancer, Ronda Wiltse initially wanted to write a book about how to support people who are sick or injured in the right way, but life got in the way. Fast forward a couple of years and she launched her blog rhelpful.com. Instead of having to tackle a full manuscript, she just cranks out a blog post most weeks (or months when life gets in the way). Down the line she may opt to turn the posts into a book. Or not.
Reason #6: Translate your reactions into words designed for others to read and you’ll be surprised at the catharsis. Call it cheap therapy.
Reason #7: Blogs allow you to practice, practice, practice writing. As a writing coach, I’m all for that.
Are you convinced? Then check out my blog post Starting a Blog the Right Way and have fun.
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