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Juha Liikala Why do YOU blog? What is the goal you had in mind when first started? A) Just for fun B) Sharing your knowledge and building authority C) Promoting your business D) Something else or combination of many reasons (can you name a few?)

97 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas, Brazen Bloggers, Wordpress Bloggers and Gen-Y Professional Bloggers 2 more

Rebecca Thorman: Mostly A and B. I started blogging because I was reading a lot of blogs I disagreed with and thought, I can write just as well as these people! Ha.
97 weeks ago

Scott Asai: At first it was to promote my business and although that's always a goal, it's become more of a self-discipline now. I push myself to learn ...MoreAt first it was to promote my business and although that's always a goal, it's become more of a self-discipline now. I push myself to learn constantly, so my blog becomes a form of sharing what I am learning. On a side note, it's helped me become a better writer too!
97 weeks ago

Jamie Nacht Farrell: Similar to @Rebecca, there were a lot of 'corporate' opinions I disagreed with. However, because I had to "play the game" a bit and keep my ...MoreSimilar to @Rebecca, there were a lot of 'corporate' opinions I disagreed with. However, because I had to "play the game" a bit and keep my thoughts in a meeting 'politically correct', I actually used the blog as a way to VENT; it's almost therapeutic for me...
97 weeks ago

: I started of with B. Then I thought of doing C but I never settled on exactly my business was (till now). Now it is D.
The combination is - to ...MoreI started of with B. Then I thought of doing C but I never settled on exactly my business was (till now). Now it is D.
The combination is - to create a platform/network, promote business (not necessarily my own), to practice writing, but mostly just to opinionate.
97 weeks ago

: I have always kept a journal it's a way for me to get the ideas and thoughts out and make sense of them...So when blogging came a long it was the ...MoreI have always kept a journal it's a way for me to get the ideas and thoughts out and make sense of them...So when blogging came a long it was the next progression. For me personally my life revolves around my professional life and they sit on top of each other. I find that the same things I see in the social world are the same things I see in business so I write about both.
97 weeks ago

: D) World domination, book deal, cult of personality

I'm curious as to whether most bloggers (BCers or otherwise) see themselves as writers? To ...MoreD) World domination, book deal, cult of personality

I'm curious as to whether most bloggers (BCers or otherwise) see themselves as writers? To me, the two should be synonymous - if you can't write, why would you blog? I suspect I'm in the minority with this opinion though and that most folks see blogging as an outlet for their ideas/self-promotion/network-building vs. a creative product first and foremost.
97 weeks ago

Cathy Reisenwitz: All of the above. I think blogging has to be a combination of having something to say and knowing how to say it. But often people can get away ...MoreAll of the above. I think blogging has to be a combination of having something to say and knowing how to say it. But often people can get away with not being great writers by having really helpful/interesting/entertaining information. For example philosophers are notoriously bad writers. But even the best writer in the world won't get any readers if they don't have anything to say.
97 weeks ago

Trish Cardona: World domination. He-he.
I thought I was going to be the next Oprah. See, the fascination for me was that you could pretty much set up your own ...MoreWorld domination. He-he.
I thought I was going to be the next Oprah. See, the fascination for me was that you could pretty much set up your own empire without Oprah's huge operation backing you (no studio, no staff, no tv network). In theory, it can be done. In reality, it's bloody awful hard work.
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97 weeks ago

Trish Cardona: @J.Maureen I do think most bloggers see themselves as writers. I say that because I told a friend once that she could also write a blog and ...More@J.Maureen I do think most bloggers see themselves as writers. I say that because I told a friend once that she could also write a blog and eventually make money. I honestly thought she had a more interesting story to write and would have a very distinct voice so it would be easier for her than for me. She stopped me mid-suggestion and said writing was not really her thing. For someone so articulate, I wouldn't have guessed in a million years.
97 weeks ago

Rebecca Thorman: @ Maureen @ Trish - I argued bloggers weren't writers here - More@ Maureen @ Trish - I argued bloggers weren't writers here - http://modite.com/blog/2010/01/19/bloggers-are-not-writers/ - some great feedback in the comments of the post too. People are very passionate about the topic :)
97 weeks ago

: Great answers everyone. For me at this very moment, blogging is A & B and a pathway to C. But I think the most important factor that made me ...MoreGreat answers everyone. For me at this very moment, blogging is A & B and a pathway to C. But I think the most important factor that made me start in the first place: Self discovery.

Writing is an excellent way to structure your thoughts and find out what really interests you (both, professionally and personally). As I've written more, my blog's focus has also become more focused.

@Rebecca: I can definitely relate. Have you ever written a counter post to someone else's post you disagreed with?

@Scott: Same here. Writing "down" what you've learned is an excellent way to really assimilate what you learned.

@Jamie: It really is! Everyone should try blogging. Jogging and Blogging; my two favorite ways to let off some steam! :)

@Gerhi: My path has been pretty much like yours so far. I've finally started to get an idea of the kind of business I'm going after. But before that, I'm doing A & B.

@Raquel: Mind mapping and writing are probably my two favorite things to structure thoughts. I think many ideas flow around everyone's head everyday. Try to catch a few of those on a "paper" and see if they stick! That's what I love to do anyway :)

Thanks all for your comments. Great stuff!

97 weeks ago

Cameron Plommer: A little bit of everything for me. I started to blog just to get all of the ideas and thoughts out of my head, much like Raquel.

But now I'm ...MoreA little bit of everything for me. I started to blog just to get all of the ideas and thoughts out of my head, much like Raquel.

But now I'm trying to leverage my blog and writing in general to get a job. In my opinion the work I do writing and engaging with people are my best selling points and are much better experience than my past jobs.

But once I do get a job I hope to transition to less self-promotion and more creative focus. I also want to use my blog and other platforms to be the content creation factory for other more substantial projects, which I've written about here: http://www.escapingthe9to5.com/escaping/are-you-on-the-hamster-wheel-of-...
97 weeks ago

Rebecca Thorman: @ Juha - Oh yes! I haven't done it lately because I do find people can be sensitive, but here are some oldies but goodies from the past --

More@ Juha - Oh yes! I haven't done it lately because I do find people can be sensitive, but here are some oldies but goodies from the past --

http://modite.com/blog/2007/12/19/helping-your-career-when-you%E2%80%99r...
http://modite.com/blog/2007/09/12/dissent-in-the-gen-y-ranks-%E2%80%93-f...
97 weeks ago

Annabel Candy: Juha - agree, everyone should blog:)

Like Gerhi my goals have changed! I started blogging to build up subscribers in the hope of finding a ...MoreJuha - agree, everyone should blog:)

Like Gerhi my goals have changed! I started blogging to build up subscribers in the hope of finding a literary agent to get a fiction manuscript published. Not the manuscript has been neglected in favour or non-fiction writing on my blog and hopefully ebook publication via that:)

It's exciting times for us bloggers, the world's our oyster:)
97 weeks ago

steve taite: I went to blogging originally out of curiosity. I like to get involved n new technologies. Then I found I could use it as a platform for my ...MoreI went to blogging originally out of curiosity. I like to get involved n new technologies. Then I found I could use it as a platform for my creative writing, which was gong nowhere fast. Now I'm hooked and it's my #1 hobby and I love it. My dream is t be able to make a small living from the blog so that I can conscientiously spend more time on it.
97 weeks ago

: @Maureen: I like your attitude ;) A book deal.. Definitely a thing which goes to my bucket list. What comes to the "blogger equals writer"; Yes, I ...More@Maureen: I like your attitude ;) A book deal.. Definitely a thing which goes to my bucket list. What comes to the "blogger equals writer"; Yes, I do think myself as a (part-time) writer (now that I think about it). And what a great way it is to improve yourself as a writer (and for me personally, it's a great way to develop my English skills - after all, I'm a Finnish guy!)

@Trish: I believe many of us (bloggers) had the "Oprah dream" in mind when we started (come on.. admit it ;)). It's possible, but it sure takes a LOT of work. Gary Vaynerchuk (http://garyvaynerchuk.com/) has definitely done it!

@Cameron: I'd be very surprised if you don't get great job offers based on your blogging alone! You're already "out there" and not just some vague job candidate behind a "impressive CV". What kind of job are you looking for btw? :)

@Annabel: Isn't it a fantastic thing what blogging can enable you to do (and accomplish)? I think the whole idea of "getting published" has completely changed. Gatekeepers are a thing from the past. Step aside dinosaurs, self publishers are coming! :)

@Steve: I'm also developing a major "blogging addiction".. But fortunately that's a positive thing (I guess)!
97 weeks ago

David Spinks: I started to get more involved in the social media professional community and to hopefully land a job. Then I landed a job...

Now I write to ...MoreI started to get more involved in the social media professional community and to hopefully land a job. Then I landed a job...

Now I write to keep my writing skills up and to share my opinions with whoever cares to hear them.
97 weeks ago

Jaime A Ellis: I started blogging recently. Right now it's just about learning; learning about what interests me, learning to be a better writer, learning to be ...MoreI started blogging recently. Right now it's just about learning; learning about what interests me, learning to be a better writer, learning to be a better social media user, and learning basic web-design. Once I feel more comfortable, I hope blogging will become more about A and B. I guess you could say I'm in the test phase now though. Wish me luck.
97 weeks ago

Annabel Candy: Hi Jaime, it's a steep learning curve espcecially in the beginning but worth it. I've wanted to give up so many times - just make sure you push on ...MoreHi Jaime, it's a steep learning curve espcecially in the beginning but worth it. I've wanted to give up so many times - just make sure you push on through those times and keep at it long term - that's when you'll start to see the positive results. I wrote here about blogging buddies - http://www.getinthehotspot.com/blog-buddies-and-the-web-party/ - getting one might help you keep at it:) Have fun and great to meet you here!

David - That's an inspring story! Did the blog help you get the job?
97 weeks ago

Fleire Castro: Definitely B) and C) and a bit of A). If I can choose, I'd do only do it for A). B and C is need though to keep balance.
97 weeks ago

Jaime A Ellis: Thanks Annabel. You're right. I've been frustrated out of my mind trying to find my voice, find time to blog,...set up an rss feed. I think you ...MoreThanks Annabel. You're right. I've been frustrated out of my mind trying to find my voice, find time to blog,...set up an rss feed. I think you make a good point about finding "buddies" to help spur you on. I have been reading lots of blogs lately, but especially ones in my genre and have started up conversations with a few of them. I don't really have any technical expertise though so I feel like I'm walking around blindfolded sometimes.
97 weeks ago

Becky Benishek: I've just started blogging recently also. I think my reasons fall into A and B. Already it's been a great experience -- it's teaching me to be a ...MoreI've just started blogging recently also. I think my reasons fall into A and B. Already it's been a great experience -- it's teaching me to be a better writer, especially with remembering to keep on topic!
@Jaime, I know how you feel about finding time & trying to find your voice. Blog audiences want different things than if, say, we were writing a fiction story.
97 weeks ago

William Bryan: A, B, and D for me. I am about at 3 weeks for blogging, but my reasons of why I blog could change.
97 weeks ago

Parissa Behnia: A, B and C. I've met some great people since I've started blogging last fall. It's a great way to learn and exchange ideas!
97 weeks ago

Kimmie Chann: I started to blog to B) share my knowledge about skincare and D) to have a creative outlet for my thought/ideas, share music that I love, help ...MoreI started to blog to B) share my knowledge about skincare and D) to have a creative outlet for my thought/ideas, share music that I love, help promote companies and people that I like.
97 weeks ago

Annabel Candy: HI Jaime, I'm a bit of a technophobe myself. All those plugins, widgets etc hold zero interest for me. I just want to write! Hope you can sort it ...MoreHI Jaime, I'm a bit of a technophobe myself. All those plugins, widgets etc hold zero interest for me. I just want to write! Hope you can sort it out:) I'm lucky my hubby does all the techie stuff for me if I nag him enough:)
97 weeks ago

Jake: Multiple Reasons: -For fun -To enhance my writing ability and devotion over time -To past the time -And a couple more little ones
97 weeks ago

Ashley Garner: I started blogging because I have friends in PR who were teaching me about self-branding and how even though I am pre-law it would be really good ...MoreI started blogging because I have friends in PR who were teaching me about self-branding and how even though I am pre-law it would be really good to do. I like to write and connect with people and share my experiences so far as a pre-law student who will soon be starting an internship and taking the lsat and doing applications and I wanted to share all that so maybe someone who may be afraid to ask questions might get it answered on my blog.
97 weeks ago

: i started blogging one month ago because i wanted to share thoughts and experiences of my learning and professional development with others. i ...Morei started blogging one month ago because i wanted to share thoughts and experiences of my learning and professional development with others. i research in the e-learning area and the majority of this community is online so i thought it would be a logical step. i decided to keep my blog a 'true representation' of my development so it covers a bit of both my personal and professional worlds. i try to tie it down to questions i'm asking myself though, so that hopefully some conversation is generated.
96 weeks ago

Andre Natta: I started blogging nearly five years ago as a way to get ideas out of my head and to find others to talk to since it was noticeably hard to find ...MoreI started blogging nearly five years ago as a way to get ideas out of my head and to find others to talk to since it was noticeably hard to find true friends here in town. It was also a great way to keep in touch with folks that weren't in town.

Nowadays it's become more about sharing news and what I've learned online but I'm starting to find some fun in just writing to write again.
96 weeks ago

: @Andre, I feel much the same way. I love to be able to have a space to get ideas out of my head. Hopefully if I can stick at it long enough, I ...More@Andre, I feel much the same way. I love to be able to have a space to get ideas out of my head. Hopefully if I can stick at it long enough, I will be able to make the same progression that you've made, which I think is natural. Penelope makes some great suggestions in her posts about how to start a blog, I read them all before I began and seeing as I've already passed the 1 month mark, I've breathed a sigh of survival - I'm now looking forward to passing the 1/4 year mark!
96 weeks ago

Annabel Candy: Sophie and Andre, it is therapeutic and fun! Loved to read your comments here. Well done and keep up the great blogging.
95 weeks ago

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