When a close friend, Chris Cree, asks me a question, like the one at the end of this post, “Why do you blog?” I have to figure out whether to respond with my default response –a deep meaningful answer.
Some questions — “What are you doing?” — don’t ask for philosophy. I find I keep more friends, and they are happier, if I sort which questions want a deep, meaningful answer and which call for information. (Hey, in the end, you can walk away, but I’m stuck listening to me rattle like an old three-wheel bicycle.)
Gosh, . . . I might have already said more than you needed to know.
[Sorry]
Why do I blog? was the question.
I have three blogs of my own and two others that I blog on regularly. I did two interviews this weekend. Why do I blog? The answer to that has grown, but the reasons haven’t changed.
Chris, you asked for five reasons. When I look out at my blogs these are the ones I see.
- I blog because I said I would. When I wrote my first blog post, I made a commitment to myself to write every day. With the next blog, and the blog after, I made more commitments to myself and to anyone who reads what I write. Keeping my word is important to me.
- I blog because people need a friend. For years I gave away copies of two journal-like books by one writer. I gave them to folks I knew who needed to know they had a friend. Then those books went out of print. I wanted to make a blog that would offer a place where anyone could go to find a best friend at any hour of the day. I think people deserve a safe place.
- I blog because I am an entrepreneur in the 21st century. Blogging is one strategy of my business. Blogging gives my service business substance and a voice. I know that any business supported solely by print and word-of-mouth relationships is isolated and insecure. Blogging directly and indirectly supports my family. It is my credibilitiy across more than 2000 blog posts.
- I blog because I value the wealth of the blogosphere. The people, the relationships, the generosity of spirit, the joy of discovery, the learning and laughter, the humanity I experience are what bring me back day after day. Who with curiosity could be bored? We’ve set the bar with words I strive to live — authenticity, transparency, trust, respect, acceptance.
- I blog because I believe words can change the world. How could I walk away? Blogging is not an addiction. It’s a heady way of communicating, a meeting place for ideas where they become visible — more visible than the people who have them. I cannot turn my back on the possibility of being useful.
Nothing in my life could have prepared me to be a blogger, except everything in my life.
Now I wonder, you are each unique, Lisa, Brian, David, Tony, Chris . . . Why do you blog?
The usual… money, women, fame…
Hi Brian!
That’s kind of what I figured. . . . I also thought maybe life was boring just sitting around doing nothing . . .
When I read your post, here’s the translation I make: 1=integrity; 2=connection; 3=livelihood; 4=generosity; 5=service.
Why? Because it links up with your core values.
Since I just poured out a post that took me all morning, I’ll post something tomorrow…I’m going to the beach (a core value).
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Thank you. That’s very cool how you did that.
See what I mean? . . . I could have it in one sentence, but, between you and me,I like thinking out loud way too much!
I wish I was going to the beach with you
I blog to fulfill my Tech Obsession! and buy some gadgets in the mean time
Oh.. and Pocket money!
Hi Thilak,
Great to see you! You should add to your list “to show folks how it’s done.”
You have designed your blog totally in the sweet spot. That’s one part that makes it such a fun place to visit! The other is the blogger — your amazing ability to choose and write stories that are consistenly interesting.
Hey! I’m in that chain of tags!
(which on a personal note is a little freaky… ok, my blog tagged by the guy who tagged Chris and here I am reading about it on Liz’s blog not realizing that she is talking about the same tag, yet it’s all part of the original tag… freaky.)
Anyways, I shall leave you with my short list:
1. Because I can.
2. Exploration of Space
3. To Download
4. To Exist
5. To Procreate
HA! Out of context it’s quite the odd list.. 😉
Chris I was thinking about this as I was riding my tb mare in 6 inches of snow… Quite a surrealistic ride. But i digress..
I blog to: hopefully pass on some of my experiences to folks that might need it along their journey
– as part of our marketing strategy
– to brainstorm with other blogosphere buds
– helps me sort things out as it were
GP in Montana where it’s snowing again!
William,
I’m not going anywhere near that procreate idea. . . . no, no, no, you can’t make me. nuh-uh, no way.
GP
What a beautiful picture you draw for us, while at the same time you point out three of the reasons that most of us blog. . . . you are a smart one out there in the Montana sunshine. I think I need to come see you.
Thanks for sharing this, Liz. I was asking myself this question the past week (had a bad blogging week, unfortunately) and reading your answers somehow made things clearer and somehow brought me back to what got me here in the first place — your words in #4 couldn’t expresses it any clearer plus the thought that #5 can happen somewhat stirred a renewed excitement with what I’ve been doing and will do still. Thanks again.
Hi Sasha,
So nice to see you!
I hate those bad blogging weeks. They’re worse than bad hair days.
Sasha,
If I never blogged, I would never have met you or the whole blogosphere of people I talk to here. I wouldn’t know what I was missing, of course. Or would I? I think would feel the loss in the unsatisfied yearning for conversation and communication that I wasn’t getting, for ideas and wonderment that I had not enough people to share them with, and the platform on which to have a chance to be authentic . . . Everyone of you gave that to me.
If you weren’t here there would be a Sasha sized hole in the blogosphere.
This is strangely a common question many bloggers ask themselves. I love your answers though – you truly are a blog inspiration
Why do I blog? Hmmm, I love to write. I love to connect. And I love to practise what I preach. And I love to share my learnings with my colleagues and clients.
Now, when will I write that book?
Hi Gino!
I was thinking about that very idea yesterday and I think that bloggers ask the question because so many bloggers do this outside of their “regular” work or as an add-on to it. In that context, it’s a viable and important question, I think.
As to when you will write that book, you will write it when you believe you have an idea worth writing about and a place to sell it.