Giving and Getting in Blogging
May 14, 2008 by Liz Fuller
Filed under Social Media
When you write a blog, especially if you are a solo practitioner who provides a service, such as accounting, marketing, law, coaching, etc. it can feel a lot like it is a one-way relationship with your readers.
You are giving and giving every day, providing your insight and expertise and sometimes, especially in the early, lonely days of blogging, it can feel like you are not getting a lot back in return: readers are scarce, commenters are even scarcer, and you can begin to feel a bit burned out.
I think it is important at those times to recognize all of the other benefits that the act of blogging is providing for you.
In case you are at a loss as to what those are, I thought I’d share a few:
- Blogging increases your subject matter expertise. Blogging requires you to stay on top of the latest information in your line of business, if only so that you don’t run out of things to say. Even with good intentions, it is unlikely that you would stay this current on a subject without a reason, such as a blog.
- Blogging provides you with a way to demonstrate your expertise to prospective clients without cornering them at a social event and monopolizing all of their time. Blogging enables them to get to know you on their schedule, without your active participation.
- Blogging creates a body of work that you can package and turn into other modes – articles, workshops, books, CD ROMs, etc.
- Blogging helps you to network and build a community with other professionals whom you might not otherwise meet.
What do you think? What benefits have you found in blogging?
photo credit: Scott Robinson
Great post Liz. I agree with everything you’ve said. I’ve only just begun blogging recently but find that it helps me promote myself in a way unlike any other. I imagine as times goes on and I get better at blogging I’ll attract a wider audience.
It gives me a mental stimulation on days when I’d otherwise not have much on.
Hi Shari
Welcome to blogging!! You’re right the more you blog, the more you find ways to bring it into your business – as a conversation starter, a networking tool and a marketing product.
By the way – you have a really interesting blog – I’m sure readership will pick up over time – and the graphics on your homepage are outstanding!
Hi John
It’s hard to imagine you having days without much mental stimulation going on – but it’s a good point – blogging does perk up the brain cells!
Liz,
It happens occasionally :-)
One other nice bonus is the number of excellent business books sent to me each month by the authors – that helps keep the brain cells going too.
Hi John
That’s true!! I love the fact that I get books in the mail to review – right now I’m actually starting to fall behind in my reading because I have so many – a rare (but fun) occurrence for me!
Yes I’ve fallen well behind too. It’s a nice problem to have :)
Hi John!
I agree. I’d rather have too much to read than not enough.