Not many non-bloggers get blogging. It’s becoming more common now, non-bloggers loving and reading blogs: Scott McIntyre, for example. However, there’s a lot of people that give you a blank stare or a raised eyebrow when you say blogging is something that takes up some of your time… something you like to do… one of your hobbies.
My first blog
I realised the other day that this isn’t the first blog I started. It’s actually the second. The first was a journal for a general education course, Science & Religion. A friend of mine has just finished that course and mentioned his journal, so I checked if mine was still there. It is. While I haven’t read through all of it yet, what I did read was surprising.
Apparently I was a non-computer geek
back then. Oh, how times change! Also, my writing was awful! Amazingly long sentences that just go on… I doubt I proof-read any of the entries (I didn’t used to proof-read on this blog either). It was obviously a trail of thought that just kept going, which I suppose is fairly suitable for a journal, but I don’t know how the lecturer read it and gave me a good mark. Maybe everyone else in first year was as bad or worse!
What’s blogging good for
Blogging improves your writing
I think an obvious advantage in keeping a blog is the chance to practice writing, proof-reading, and constructing thoughts. If you express something poorly, particularly on a controversial topic, you know people will hammer you down. If you continue to write in almost unreadable sentences, people will just stop reading.
Blogging improves your reading
I read so many useful and interesting things. Through my blog I’ve made contact with people all around the world who enlighten me on terrapins, time management, shopping, print design, web design, logo design, WordPress, CSS, blogging… I would not have learned nearly as much if I wasn’t reading all these blogs.
Yes, I do consider reading other blogs to be a part of blogging. How can you expect other people to read your blog if you don’t read others’?
Blogging improves your mind
A friend told me the other night that story telling and recalling memories, through talking or writing, can prevent Alzheimer’s. Okay, so to be honest, I’m taking his word for it at this point (I think I would have to dig through too many articles to find a reference — I’ve asked him if he remembers where he heard it). However, I have no reason to doubt that this is true, I’m sure that exercising your brain is one of the very few things you could do to prevent memory-loss diseases. Blogging could be an excellent way to exercise your memory.
World’s oldest blogger
I read recently about the world’s oldest blogger (there’s so many blogs out there, I wonder if they know for sure that she was the oldest). 107 — how cool is that? She experienced the forming of our nation from colonies to commonwealth, two world wars, through to today and still managed to learn the intaweb! Plus, she was able to share some of her stories with the world. Pretty amazing.
There’s a tribute blog set up for her now. Not sure what they did with her other blog.
The evolution of a motive
So, I started this blog for something to do, to keep a journal, try out this new technology (new to me, other people had been blogging for years, Cellobella started without a blogging platform!). It’s become a whole lot more: a conduit for learning, teaching, networking, writing, improvement of writing, improvement of self, expanding horizons…
“Pretty sweet”, I’d say.
You’ve been a blog author since 2004?! In blogging terms you’re nearing the glorious twilight years, considering so few blogs (proportionately) make it past the three month mark.
That’s devotion for you. 😉
Ps. loving the anchor text usage.
I learn new things or different ways of thinking about something by writing for my blog, too. It’s a good exercise for me to improve my own design skills to write articles on topics like the elements of design. I agree that it improves communication skills, too, because you have to think of how to say something in the concisest way possible (and that’s often hard for me!)
And of course, it gives you the opportunity to meet people you never would have otherwise!
I’m still struggling to find a writing ‘voice’ with my own design blog. I still need to get into the stride, I suppose. I’m much more at ease writing stuff in my personal blog.
Another added benefit to blogging though – your friend mentioned it could help with memory-recall, but it also helps out with general knowledge. When I’m talking to clients or fellow designers, I often cite news sites or authority blogs to back me up or start a new discussion.
By the way, I am finding the bookmarklets in your linkblog a lifesaver. They’ve replaced the screengrabber and resizer extensions in Firefox.
For me a really good reason to blog is to learn new things and interact with people you’d probably never have the chance to interact with. If I can improve my dreadful writing skills along the way I’ll be chuffed!
Haha, thanks David. Hope I’m not getting too old and crusty for you 😉 I’m glad I’ve kept this blog going, even though it seems to be evolving all the time.
Lauren, all true. Making the video tutorial recently really made me think about doing things concisely as well as saying things concisely. Very good practice. I’m also very glad I have contact with all of you internet peeps. 😉
Gio, related to the general knowledge point is that I find blogs to be a reliable source of information and recommendations. Real people write about their real experiences.
Very glad you’ve found the linkblog useful! Del.icio.us seems to have killed it though, I’ll have to figure out what’s going on there.
Lucinda, those are the exact two things that I’ve found to be the most rewarding in blogging. Definitely worth while.
More than anything else, what I gain personally from blogging is that I’m making connections with so many other people. The exchange of ideas, suggestions, news, advice and know-how is invaluable on personal and professional levels. It’s very satisfying to read comments people have left on my posts; equally, it’s great to leave comments on blogs, adding to a discussion, and come back later to find an interesting or appreciative reply from the blog host or another reader. Those connections are what make it fun.
I agree Tracey, I think communicating is one of the most valuable things about blogging. I like being a part of other people’s lives, even if I haven’t met them.
This post was more about a couple of things I had read and thought about rather than my favourite things about blogging. Although improving writing is probably my second favourite things after connecting. 🙂
Hi !! 🙂
I am Piter Kokoniz. Just want to tell, that I like your blog very much!
And want to ask you: will you continue to post in this blog in future?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Tnx!
Your Piter Kokoniz, from Latvia