The other day I was asked why do you blog? Of course I answered why not? But it got me thinking... why do people blog?
Everyone has their own personal motivation, whether it's to log their list of eateries and food they've devoured, record their opinions on world events or even for therapeutic reasons. Either way, blogging can bring good things to those who practice it. Based on my experience and observations within an industry which thrives on hearing what other people have to say, I've listed six things that blogging can do for you.
1. Write, write, write. One thing about blogging is you obviously have to write. And if you want other people to read what you have to say, you need to write well. With more experience, you begin to understand how to engage your readers and as you continue to write, you become a better communicator.
2. The great communicator. With each blog entry, you are putting your personal thoughts onto paper. As you do this more often, your communication skills increase. You'll notice your office memos and work emails start sounding more polished. Interpreting what others are voicing through writing or even conversationally becomes faster and easier for you as well.
3. Attention please, this way! Those with better communications skills have more confidence in themselves. You'll have an easier time socializing with people in-person and expressing your thoughts face-to-face. Public speaking may not be something you shy away from now. I personally hated going to social mixers, not so much because I didn't have anything to talk about, rather I have an introverted personality in such situations. But as I've been blogging more, I've also opened up more. Through blogging, you start learning more about anything and everything and have more to say during social settings. You start bridging similarities between you and others and can openly express your opinions while being willing to listen to theirs as well.
4. The librarian. Because you're writing often now, there is a need for substance. As a blogger you can write about anything you want but if there is no validity to them, why would anyone want to read your blog or take you seriously for that matter? I invented the "?" I once saw a dog walk around with a cat and a mouse on his back. That's great but where's the evidence? You obviously need to have some knowledge about what you're writing about and with that, comes research. When I blog, whether it's about food or a particular current event, I need to research the facts. I need to know where the restaurant is, how people have reviewed it, menu, etc. Same goes with any current event topic.
5. Organization. In order for people to read what you write you need to organize your thoughts and ideas and write them clearly. As you continue to do this, your writing organization skills increase. I've now noticed when I write anything, I begin with structuring the document in my head. I jot down that structure on paper and then I start filling in the blanks. Blogging has increased my awareness for the need of organization in writing to effectively communicate what I have to say.
6. Helping others. Blogging makes you better at communicating and researching topics. The more you train yourself in these areas, the more open you are to hearing two sides to every story. With your heighten research and organizational thought process skills, you take in and scrutinize information before blurting out the first thing on your mind. You become less of a "shouter" and more of a listener. Rather than complain and rant about anything, you'll notice you can help others with information they may lack. If readers take issue to a particular dish they had at some restaurant, I normally find myself asking them 1.) what was wrong with it and 2.) I give them names of some other alternative restaurants that they could go to instead rather than continuing their rant.