Today I wrote a post at Blogging for a Living about the purpose of a blog. I won’t rehash, but it did get me thinking about all the different ways people use blogs, and how each of them are fantastic. Blogging is one of those things where there isn’t a specific set of rules. Your blog can have whatever purpose you wish and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Whether you’re blogging to earn or share, I hope you enjoy this list of:
10 Awesome Uses for Blogs
1. To Market, To Market
Blogs are important marketing tools. I can’t tell you how much this blog network has helped both my personal and professional brands. In fact, it’s even better than a resume. FWJ is proof I grew a blog network from scratch. It shows off my writing style, gives an example of my blogging skills and, also, shows that I know my stuff when it comes to social media. My blog tells people who I am, how well I work, and where they can find me. Use blogs to sell your products, ebooks, traditional books or other services. If you have something to sell, you can sell better with a blog.
Brands are starting to understand the appeal of blogs and are now using them as a social media tool in order to build up community and add a personal touch to whatever it is they’re selling. Blogs give a voice and take marketing to a whole new level.
2. To Share
The first blogs were all about sharing. In fact, many were simply lists of cool links. Sharing links and ideas is one of my favorite reasons to blog. Most bloggers share in one way or another anyway, whether it’s their blog’s intended purpose or not. We share content, tools, job opportunities, tips, tricks and, even, friends.
How do you share using your blog?
3. To Teach
Freelance writers aren’t the only ones who teach. Bloggers teach others how to blog, go green, cook, identify good products, make money, and more.
4. To Earn
Yes, you can “make money online,” and yes, you can do so with blogs. Though making money isn’t the purpose of this blog, it’s certainly the icing on the cake. I’m a five figure blogger but there are plenty of six figure bloggers out there as well. If you can create compelling copy and rock the SEO, you can create a profitable blog. Just remember, it takes time to to bring in traffic and revenue…but once you do it’s well worth it.
I was up for the challenge, are you?
5. To Be Creative
Some people just like to write or share photos or comics. Many bloggers simply want a place to show off their artistry. Blogging is perfect because it’s a free platform that can reach so many people.
6. To Keep in Touch
Who says blogs have to be business-related only? Family blogs, whether private or public are a terrific way for families and friends to keep in touch.
7. To Discuss
Many bloggers create blogs because they love a discussion or heated debate such as those with political blogs. They’re conversation driven, even more so than other blogs. Personally, I love discussion oriented blogs because there’s no other premise, just good conversation.
8. To Establish Expertise
For those wishing to establish authority and expertise, there’s no better way than blogs. Talking about your specialty, presenting pros and cons, offering recommendations and having daily discussions will put your name in the minds of many when it comes to your topic. Being an authority on your blog can help promote your book, create speaking engagements and more.
9. To Meet Others
Want to meet other like-minded people? Blog! As you build up traffic and more people are drawn into discussions you’ll meet others who share the same interests.
10. Just Because…
Blog just for the hell of it, who says you need a reason. Write because you like to write and share because you love to share. With blogging, there are no rules but to have fun.
Share some of your own awesome uses for blogs below…
akhlis says
December 30, 2009 at 08:19One more, Deb, if I may add to your list; i.e. to keep busy. I quit my job and found blogging my best consolation. To be entirely honest, I started blogging to earn bucks but as time went by it had dawned on me that I can get more than a wad of money here. It proves to be useful for shy guys like me to write a blog and make friends from any of 4 corners of the globe. I know making friends in the web is different from that in offline world but basically they’re offering the same stuffs; i.e. sharing and benefiting each other.
Christina G. says
December 30, 2009 at 12:17I have one, sharing your passion. Deb you’re right, blogs make a great resume. Now when I apply for a freelance gig instead of writing samples, all I have to do is direct them to my blog.
Lucy Smith says
December 30, 2009 at 16:50On a slightly nerdier tangent, blogs are great for SEO on a normal site advertising your wares/services. They constantly give the search engines new text to index, and they like that.
I have a blog on my site partly for that reason (it works well), but also because a) it’s great to be able to show your personality to potential clients (wouldn’t we all rather do business with a real person we feel we know already?), b) you can use it to parade different writing styles depending on your mood for that blog post, c) it’s a reason for people to keep coming back to your site, and d) the more you write, the better you get.