9 Reasons to Blog

Ok so today, my buddy Samik asked me a question that got me thinking a little bit: "Why do you blog?" As a blogger, I always thought that if ever asked this question, I would have a quick, cut-and-dry answer for them, like "Boom Boom, that's why." But to my surprise, I didn't have an immediate answer. Instead, I thought for a second and then mumbled something like "Just because I feel like it." Now I look back, and I find that answer simply unacceptable. So, in my quest for enlightenment, I have compiled a list of 9 reasons why bloggers (like myself) maintain blogs (these reasons are listed in no particular order and are in no way exclusive to each other):

1) They think they can help others through their knowledge. Whether it is true or not, many people claim to be experts at something, and oftentimes use blogs as a medium to get their knowledge out to other people. Whether this area of expertise be hockey, blog monetization, lifestyle tips or photography, blogs are a very useful way to lend your knowledge to others, especially in the sense that anyone can, through a search engine (and depending on if your blog is indexed/spidered or not) find and read your blog, if you so choose to disclose it in this way.

2) They are passionate about something. This is similar but not identical to the above reason. Many people are very passionate about one thing. In this case, it can be working out, watching movies or keeping up with a sport (a very good example of this is JaneyBell's blog). In any case, they might want a way to let their passion out, and doing so through writing can be very effective.

3) They need a place to put down their thoughts. This is simply another way of saying "They want to keep a journal." Many blogs (including this one, to a certain degree) exist for the sole purpose of keeping a log of daily events, thoughts and happenings in a blogger's life. A blog can be simply an online journal where a blogger puts these experiences in to writing. For some people (like myself), typing is much easier than writing and they can take advantage of technology to create an e-journal instead of keeping a traditional journal on paper. In fact, one blogging service, LiveJournal, exists almost entirely to facilitate journal writing (hence the name), and so, is famous for it's copious amount of teen "emo kids".

4) They want feedback on their thoughts and ideas. Sometimes, ironically, getting advice from a stranger can be much easier to take than getting it from a parent, or even a friend or other family member. In this case, many people may keep blogs so they can write down ideas or thoughts of theirs that they want feedback for. Some bloggers might ask their readers "What do you think about this?", or "What do you think should be my next course of action?" As well, getting ridiculed online can be much easier to absorb than getting it from a friend or family member. Additionally, if you target a niche audience in your blog, you will be getting advice from people who are interested in the same things as you, or have some expertise in the same thing as you.

5) They have a base of readers that expect fresh content. Some bloggers, unexpectedly develop a following of readers that will check back at that blog daily or weekly, expecting fresh new content. A good example of this is my acquaintance Robert Macewan's blog. There is a button on his blog showing that, over the eight or so years his blog has been online, he has developed a loyal following of 107 readers, although there are countless others (like myself) who also read his blog but are too lazy to subscribe to FeedBurner.

6) They want to make money. Some bloggers "monetize" their blog. They do this through programs like PayPerPost or with Google AdSense. Why do they do this? For some, blogging is a full time job. Not like myself, where it is simply a hobby that I intend to pursue for a long time, but actually their full time job. Some of you (perhaps bloggers yourselves) may be wondering how it is possible to make money from blogging. But the reality is that making money online is a hot issue and that many people have dedicated their time to doing so. A good example of a blog that generates massive income is johncow.com (I won't make it a link... He doesn't need any more anyways.); this person keeps a blog about making money online and is stinking rich because of it (although many question his morals). However, I believe his blog is going a little overboard though... But that's just me.

7) They want to connect with other people that have similar interests. With a little time and effort, you can join what is known as a Blogring and communicate with others that have similar interests to you. By doing this, you can get to other blogs that contain content similar to yours, and gain more readers by commenting on their blogs (especially if they have dofollow enabled. If not, too bad, so sad). This way, you can become part of a community of bloggers like yourself and at the same time, get valuable feedback and traffic.

8) They love to write! Some people just love to write. Many blogs exist just because their owners cannot write enough and need to let it all out somewhere. People who love to write can start a blog about nothing in particular, and soon find others interested in your original content. In this way, services like Helium are very useful as they provide you with writing prompts if you ever encounter writer's block (as well as chances to make money). Of course, you could always start writing poetry.

9) They want to meet new people. Although this is my last reason why bloggers blog, it is no less important than the other points. Blogging can be a very social experience, bringing people together and forging bonds where there were none before. Through services like LiveJournal, MySpace or Technorati, people often find other people interested in their blog. Sometimes, readers can even become friends of the blogger. Although I personally wouldn't meet up with anyone I met through the Internet, it is still a great way to again, find people with similar interests as you and to find people who, just like yourself, love to blog!

I hope I have answered all your questions as to Why People Blog.

kamster