I can already see you shaking your head. You probably think that blogging is for writers, politicians, political pundits, or egotistical people with nothing better to do.
True. But here are fifteen reasons why you, too, might want to give it a try.
- You can use it as a networking tool. No matter what your business or occupation, it never hurts to give out a little free information. Call it a form of tithing if you will. Remember, what goes around comes around. Examples: Kerry M. Kerstettar's Tax Guru and Betty's Blog, with timely teacher talk.
- Blog for your family. Write your memoir or simply jot down memories and upload photos of family history, the stuff that will be lost when you're gone. Write messages to your children, your grandchildren or your great-great-great grandchildren, so they can treasure them far into the future. Examples: The Nana Bog and the Marcoccia Family Blog, Peas and Love For Us.
- Blog about your hobby or passion. Share your inspiration with like minds. Examples: Felicia Ragsdale's Scrapping is My Life, Jane Marie's Thyme for Herbs, and Angela Fehr Watercolor.
- Communicate with your fans or future fans: Example: Lee, Misa, and Tonya at The Naked Hero.
- Highlight an industry. Fewer than 2 percent of Americans farm for a living today and only 17% now live in rural areas. It takes people like John Bunting to keep the dialog between urban and rural America alive. John Bunting's Dairy Journal; A Broad Discussion of Dairy Covering A Wide Range Of Issues.
- Write about travel or a vacation: Example: The Steijn Girls on Cruise. This one's written in Dutch, but you'll get the picture.
- Share what's on your mind or in your heart. Example: Marta Week's Been There Done That.
- Keep in touch with friends. One way to start is to join Facebook or My Space and post your comments there, and if that works out, start your own blog. Examples: The White Family Blog, the Adams Family Blog, and June Cleaver Nirvana.
- Use it as an extension of your resume/porfolio. Example: Niles Bollinger, Jr.'s Resume Blog.
- Blog your way into a job or A BOOK. Pamela Redmond Satran created a blog called How Not To Act Old and two months later sold it as a book that went on to become a New York Times Bestseller. Torina White (White Family Blog) made her blog into a book at Blog 2 Print.
Keep track of books you've read. Example: Debbie's Friday Friends Book Blog.- Create a family friendly blog. Example: TQ Family Adventures Travel Blog, where a mother writes about ways to inspire family travel one adventure at a time.
- Provide inspiration for others. Have you ever heard of Mattie J.T. Stepanek? He was a poet, peacemaker, and philosopher, who only lived to be 14 years old. Even after his death, his message of love and peace continues to shine around the world.
- Raise awareness. Nipun Mehta is described as "a behind-the-scenes leader in the growing global economy movement, fueled primarily by young people." He helped start Charity Focus, an experiment in the joy of giving. It now counts 18,500 members and their blog has 1,687 followers.
- Help others adapt to disabilities. After her legs were amputated, Amy Purdy started a nonprofit organization to help other youth and young adults with permanent physical disabilities enjoy extreme sports. You can find their blog at Adaptive Action Sports.
Starting next week, Wednesday's posts will be dedicated to how to start a blog, step by step for the technologically challenged. How good is that?
(Photo credit: I Blog Therefore I Am, by alamodestuff)
