What is Learned From Running a Blog?
Learning November 12th, 2009As I’m sure everyone finds, cycles of time come and go in life and how we choose to spend that time determines everything we get involved in. For the last few months I’ve shifted much of my free time either to work on renovations and home improvements since moving or I’ve put my time in working for clients in my 3D business. That need will likely continue and when I do make time to spend on my blog much of it makes me realize just how much there is to learn in running a blog. This article summarizes 3 important areas I’ve learned the most about from blogging!
The People Factor
This is definitely the one I like the most about blogging. Having discussions with people and developing connections and friendships online is definitely a great value. I’m afraid that many people get into blogging for themselves and so don’t ever spend much time interacting with or even trying to get to know other people through their blog. I love this part of blogging and knowing there are friends who support me and who have similar thoughts and experiences that visit my blog (and I theirs) on a regular basis. This itself is a huge encouragement which makes the time spent feel so much more valuable. I only wish and hope that I’ll be able to meet in person some of the people I feel like I know so well online. It’s incredible how revealing blogging can be and a person can definitely get to know another person quickly when they share a lot of their thoughts and backgrounds on important subjects. I find this especially true for personal development blogs since the subject is so often rooted in underlying beliefs, morals and life principles, you find out quickly what matters to a person and yourself and talk about those items. If only we could have those conversations with everyone we meet in our work and day to day interactions, image how much quicker we would get to know people.
Online Marketing
Online marketing and promotion is another huge area for learning as a blogger. I definitely knew a few things about online marketing before I got into blogging from operating my own online freelance graphics business but I never ventured into nearly as much marketing and promotion as I did once I got into blogging. I knew a bit about web design and HTML coding but knew little about all the variety of things you find in a marketing glossary. Words like SEO, adsense, click fraud, CTR, CPC, affiliate marketing, conversions, page rank, social media, and literally hundreds of other words for marketing your content and site I’ve learned as I’ve explored this vast world of online marketing. I will say however that while all this learning has occurred naturally as I’ve been reading and involved with other bloggers in their own search for learning to market their content better and better.
Not only has this helped me with my blog, but also my business websites and my day job also gets the benefit of my knowledge now put to use for new online marketing programs that had never before existed. I’m confident this media will only continue to expand so there is definitely value in knowing how to use it effectively for your business and personal life. There is much more to learn and it seems to ever be evolving, the perfect recipe for someone who doesn’t ever want to stop learning! Ha!
Learning from the Content
Written content is continually valuable for yourself and others as reference material. I find myself referring to articles and series I wrote quite a while ago now very often and they are always valuable to me to pass along to people asking about those subjects. I’m constantly surprised by how much shear volume of content that accumulates from blogging and how useful it can be in a variety of situations.
The other great thing to be learned from the content is in writing it itself. I write about subjects I am interested in but I certainly don’t only pick subjects I already know about. I go out and research my topics, I read books and articles to gain some insight and varying perspectives on the subject and then I write my own version and opinions on the subject based on what I’ve learned and experienced about it. Sometimes this is over the course of years or even my whole lifetime and sometimes it’s over the course of a few hours. There is something I learn, reinforce or realize every time I write any new content.
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November 12th, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Mike, thanks for sharing the benefits of blogging. Personally, I have benefited from all the things you mentioned. In addition, I find that it has made me a better business person, friend, and family member, because the one who writes learns the lesson twice. First by thinking about it, then by writing about it.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Steve, you are so right about that. I learn so much from writing it and often referring back to it blogging has absolutely raised my bar for living as a better person. Thanks for the comment…
November 12th, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Hi Mike.
I am glad to see a post about this. I don’t think we point out the benefits enough. These are probably the three biggest points. The people, marketing knowledge gained, and the information from the content, are the biggest clinchers.
Your point about how it would be nice if folks were as forthcoming their day-to-day is certainly noted. Folks sites show their normal demeanor, especially in our realm as you pointed out.
As far as online marketing information, you sure did list many of the loads of concepts you glance over until you run a site. It is nice to be up on these things.
The opportunity from learning from content is similar to being in a library and have many places to check for information, with different personalities behind each type. We are creating a customized online library of specific discussion.
Glad to read this.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:28 AM
Thanks Armen for elaborating on some of these points and how you’ve linked them from your experiences as well. Love the point about forming a library for discussion, its true.
I get asked by people at work sometimes what’s the best thing to start with or learn from personal development and they don’t realize how much content one really develops. I mean 168,000 words of written content is a lot of time, research, thinking and topics really. Its like asking a librarian for the best book to read int eh library without saying anything about your own preferences or desired topics. Its kind of a meaningless question. 🙂
November 13th, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Couldn’t agree more! I have only had a blog for about 6 months now but I feel incredibly more focused about my life than I ever have before. When I put together new content I am always learning new things and developing new interests.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:33 AM
Thanks for sharing, Mike. I feel the same like you do. Relationship, writing ability, seo, adsense and much more I learned from blogging.
November 16th, 2009 at 1:07 AM
Thanks Steve and Arswino, its relieving to know others share some of the same learning sfrom their own blogging experiences. Appreciate the comments!
November 20th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
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November 30th, 2009 at 8:19 PM
The people interaction and the community like people that you get is definitely my favorite part about running a blog, which is one of the reasons why I would even do it for free!
Till then,
Jean
December 1st, 2009 at 1:16 AM
Every new hobby-for me it was hobby 2years ago-gives a person a new opportunity to open new sides of his talent and to improve old skills.Making videos attracts me most of all now.I can’t say it is new for me.I came back to it.But technical aspects are quite new.New cameras,new programs-new skills and knowledge for me.Besides my kids share it with me.That is great that our hobby unites the family and brings new ideas in the process of life.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:06 AM
Hiya Mike! The friendship factor is one that I rate highly. It is awesome to have a blogmeister like you who is keen on engaging his audience. Man is a social animal and using your blog to make new friends and interact with older ones just makes so much sense. Some blog masters just don’t engage in conversation much, but you’re a great exception.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:58 PM
@Jean. Good points I agree, however, one point and comment. I do DO IT FOR FREE!! You do not I assume?
@Dicki – You hit the best point about any activity really. Things that unite people. I love that!
@Industry News – Social behinds oddly enough seem to be quite capable of hiding that fact for many years in some cases. I just grateful to have realize how much social connection and personal relationships truly mean in life and I know I’ll never loose site of that. I only wish everyone could realize that at a young age in life unlike what I mentioned above to Dicki…
Thanks for the comments on this everyone! Great points and added discussion.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I’m very much new to blogging myself, but am glad to see that you see beyond is technological benefits and apply it to other areas of business, communication and industry.
Engaging your audience is one of the most important factors in a successful blog, so I’m curious to see what you will be writing (blogging) in the future.
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Hi Mike! I’ve missed u too much!
You’ve written a great article summing some important aspects of blogging. It’s been about more than a year since I decided to start blogging but unfortunately I didn’t take it seriously or I didn’t know why I should start a blog! as the time passes, I started to realize the importance of blogging and I started to ask myself questions such us “why should I start a blog?” Researching about a certain topic Plus posing it to a public discussion have been realized by me. But I’ve just realized the necessity of marketing yourself if not the most important aspect. Assuming you have a high quality researches, the only way to increase the traffic into your place and pose more discussions is by marketing yourself.
So, blogging has dragged me to learn more about marketing, how to write high quality blogs, and how to discuss with people effectively!
Great article Mike.
BR
Husain
December 7th, 2009 at 8:24 AM
For me, I learned that more does not mean better. I would rather be able to help a few people make their lives better. Than be able to become famous but ineffective.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:14 AM
I’m very much new to blogging myself, but am glad to see that you see beyond is technological benefits and apply it to other areas of business, communication and industry.
December 13th, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Actually Blogging is very hard.you have to update every time.you have to write new articles
December 20th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Thanks for sharing, By Mike..x)
January 8th, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Thanks for sharing, Mike.
July 16th, 2010 at 4:15 PM
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