Why You Should Blog: Reasons for Print Industry Leaders
Have you ever thought about why you should blog—or perhaps, why you should not?
The act of blogging must be much bigger than simply writing a blog. It must be part of a mission you are passionate about. Without that mission, blogging becomes drudgery.
If you have your eye on a goal and a blog is part of executing that goal, then it won’t just be about cranking out a blog. But the thought must be about working toward your mission.
In the same vein, blogging cannot be about just making money. That’s like saying the goal of a business is to make money. In my opinion, the goal of a business is to serve others. Without money a business cannot survive, but making money is not its ultimate goal or its purpose for being.
Similarly, we wouldn’t say the goal of life is to eat. We need to food to live, but that is not our purpose.
Find your purpose. Whether it’s serving and helping others or something else entirely, if blogging is part of how you accomplish your purpose then that’s why you should blog.
Keep that purpose in mind and blogging will be something you will want to do, as it takes you toward your purpose.
Here are a few less-commonly cited reasons why you should blog:
Create Clarity
One of the greatest benefits blogging has brought me is developing clarity in my own mind around the topic I blog about each week. As I write, I understand better what I think about an issue that has been on my mind.
Also, others chime in on the blog post who have different points of view. These readers bring perspective you may have never considered had you not blogged on the topic.
Ignite Change
Putting your ideas out there can ignite change in others—and I have also found blogging has changed me.
When I first started blogging it was more about sharing a point of view and starting a discussion on a topic. Over time, I have come to realize blogging changes you, the writer. You become a better listener, thinker, and (hopefully) writer as you blog. That in itself is a great reason you should blog.
Develop New Relationships
Relationships are one of the most important aspects of life, whether in business or your personal life. Blogging allows you to meet and talk with a variety of people you would have never met otherwise. Best yet, it gives you the opportunity to contribute to other people’s lives and help them accomplish their goals, as well.
Recognize What is Important
Blogging helps me understand not only what is important in the print business, but in life. It makes me see what is important to me simply because I cannot write about everything.
There’s no reason why you should blog on any topic that doesn’t truly matter to you—it’s a waste of your time. Instead, you will need to filter your thoughts and ideas and focus only on what is key.
Final Thoughts on Why You Should Blog: To Contribute to Others
At the end of our lives, we will look back and ask ourselves if we have made a contribution to others. We will want to be able to say we have made a difference in people’s lives. If you can do that through blogging, that’s a compelling reason why you should blog.
Blogging, for example about the print industry, allows you to make that contribution and enrich the lives of others with your own unique perspective.
Blogging can be very beneficial to you and others in the print industry. What reasons can you name for why you should blog?
Image designed for BillPrettyman.com via www.freeimages.com and www.canva.com
*********************************************************************
In my opinion, blogging is all about an exchange of knowledge. It’s great to read other blogs, to learn as much as possible and to start discussions. Writing your own blogs is also a wonderful way of sharing what you’ve learned, and answering the questions of your customers – whether or not they even realize they have such questions. It’s a great way of being a thought leader in your industry, in being a company that is depended on. Thank you, Bill!
Melissa, how true – blogging is a great way to share knowledge and stimulate thought and discussion!