A blog post, a comment, and a conversation
My friend Joe Hackman had a nifty post the other day asking, “Why do you blog?”
As you can tell, I couldn’t think of a better title, so I “borrowed” it from him. Thanks, Joe!
Image: cambodia4kidsorg via Flickr, CC 2.0
As tends to happen sometimes, my response could have been a blog post in itself, but this is what I said:
“I was having a Twitter conversation via DM with a ‘thought leader’ on the controversial post of the day. [Note: this is going back about 2.5 years ago.]
“At the time, I had guest-posted once, maybe twice, but didn’t really know if I could blog (who would care, etc. etc.). The next couple of days, I saw almost my words represented verbatim in this person’s blog… as that person’s own comment.
“Now, fair enough, a lot of people can think and say the same thing, but it struck me as a little odd that there was not even any attribution, e.g. ‘I was talking to so-and-so on Twitter and it made me think this’ (though even that wouldn’t be correct attribution, since it would still appear as if that thought was the other person’s and not mine… but it would have been something.
“That pissed me off. So I started blogging.
“[Since then] I’ve become more confident about writing, and growing a blogging team has been (and continues to be) an absolute joy – thank you Howie Goldfarb, Bryce Keane, Erica Holt, Herwin Icasiano, Shanan Sorochynski, Narciso Tovar and SO many more newer WUL team members!
“I like to talk (as you know from Twitter, Amplify, Facebook, et al). A blog is a great place to do that, and I’ve come to enjoy it immensely.”
Joe’s post stayed with me.
What I shared with him, and now you, was indeed the catalyst that made me get off my butt and start this blog… and now I’m blogging in three places on a regular basis, with the occasional guest post here and there.
But I would never have thought I’d be doing this, if you’d asked me three or more years ago.
While it was irritation that got me to start this blog sooner than I might have otherwise, there was other stuff as well, as I’ve probably mentioned before: who would care what I wrote?
Would anyone read it? And the most worrying thing of all: should I, as a PR professional, really be blogging instead of focusing on my clients?
Well, as we’ve seen, I got over all that soon enough. And while it’s still stressful (I get very stressed if I don’t have a post or two in the offing), I love the ultimate product.
It’s not perfect, but it’s what I got.
I love growing a team of guest bloggers who are, I think, as invested in WUL as I am.
And I love hearing from all of you, whether it’s on Twitter, Facebook, via a comment, or an email. I truly do. It makes me feel that I’m making a difference to someone’s day.
At the end of the day, I guess there are two basic reasons anyone blogs:
1. It makes you happy.
2. It makes other people happy.
“Happiness,” of course, could mean a lot of things. It could mean it satisfies you (as it does me), and it could mean that it brings some light into someone else’s day.
Perhaps this “light” takes the form of information, or entertainment, or maybe it’s a refuge, a place people go when they need to lose themselves or take a break.
Are there business benefits that come with blogging?
Absolutely, though I never thought of that when I started out.
Particularly since I teach and speak a lot about integrating social media into overall communications, blogging gives me at least some level of street cred.
It adds a dimension to my resume that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and yes, I get business and speaking inquiries because of it.
I’ve also come to believe it’s just about the best thing any public relations professional can do – not just for themselves, but for an understanding of how communication in today’s world works, that translates into benefits for their clients/organizations as well.
It is probably the best marketing tool I have for myself, since it tells people (I hope!)
that I care about the state of public relations;
that I care about how they can use smart public relations to support and/or reach business objectives;
that I try, as much as possible, to keep up with the changing face of digital communication.
But most of all, I do it because it makes me happy. And because it makes you happy. I think.
Why do you blog? Like Joe, I would really like to know.
And if you don’t but want to, what’s holding you back? Is there something we can help with? Please do tell us!
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Hi @Shonali and great conversationalists – It’s taken some days to reflect on your post and question. What I first wanted to respond with turned out to be a false answer to “why blog?” What I wanted to say (…or what the ego wanted to attempt at expressing) was that blogging was a way to contribute to our world’s pool of meaning. That’s just bunk. As in it’s just not my reason (…not saying here that it’s an illegitimate motivation at all, it just ain’t this blogger’s).
After putting years of blogging into perspective (thanks to your great question), I’ve come to see and own more clearly that my reason for blogging is for the joy of creating and expressing stuff…especially via audio and video. As much as I value writing as a means to express, it is incomplete in the context of publishing content without audio and video for me. This is not something that’s always been a conscious understanding on my end. That media takes the creative expression to a more personalized level, even if that audience at times may be minimal.
Hope this doesn’t come across as blowhard-ish; your question is timely, especially as my biz and blogging efforts refine. It felt good to be honest about – so thanks for the catharsis. The other motivations and reasons shared here resonate strongly, in and beyond the mentioned business & community benefits. They were great to read all in one threaded conversation like this.
@Jillfoster Did I actually hear you say “bunk”? My vocab’s finally rubbing off on you, eh? :)
Not blowhard-ish at all, Jillie, I love your comment. And as far as threaded convos go, you know you have to sign up for livefyre now, don’t you?
Been meaning to read this post, finally getting around to responding. We have such similar journey’s @Shonali . I just revisited that old post, in which I asked the same questions about blogging: what if no one reads it, what if I read blogs no one else reads, just not enough there? Glad I proved myself wrong. Blogging and being “social” has made contacts, developed relationships. It’s made me better at my job: writing, pitching, more comfortable reaching out to others. Like anyone I blog because – right or wrong, dumb or smart – I have something to write. Hopefully worth reading too.
@3HatsComm I remember a post I read a long time ago; it was either just before or shortly after I had started blogging. I can’t remember whose blog it was from, but essentially the point the blogger made was that even if no one else read her blog, it made her happy, and that’s why she did it.
I think it’s really easy to get lost in all the “what ifs” and let that stop one from blogging. I’m also still amazed at the number of PR pros who don’t blog; even if they don’t have their own blog, I’d love to see them doing guest posts, contributing to community blogs, etc. I think it makes a huge difference in raising one’s profile and, as you say, honing one’s craft.
And you know your stuff is worth reading. :)
My blog is cathartic, what started as an assignment for a graduate school class has evolved into a therapeutic foray in sharing and engagement. My focus is on rallying against complacency or burdening processes in serving members, customers or our communities. It has been a process of discovery, learning a lot about myself and gaining new found leadership skills as it has evolved. My end goal is to connect and work with people and organizations with similar missions. We can all change the world and be remarkable…together.
@mikecassidyAZ … and I very much appreciate you taking the time to stop by here, when Twitter is so easy. :)
My guess is that a lot of us find it cathartic as well. Have you found your goals for your blog evolving over time?
Btw, I love the little bar at the top of your blog – what is that? And I also like how you’ve tweaked “non-profit.” Nice going!
@Shonali Yes, my little blog has grown into a real hosted site, from 4 subscribers to 200 in its evolution. My goals have been more focused on content than anything else – determing what resonates.
That is my fancy pants Hello Bar, it is a beta test by invitation, if you would like to test let me know I have 3 invites remaining. It has analytics behind it so it’s fun to see which calls to action are picked up.
A few colleagues call me the ‘nonprofit whisperer’ which I cannot stand so I devised nonprophet which more reflects my personality — just a guy in the trenches that writes about his adventures and observations. Glad you like it.
@mikecassidyAZ Your “fancy pants” Hello Bar. Love it. I would love to try it. I do really really REALLY like Apture, but who knows, this might be much better. Thank you!
Very nice call on the “nonprophet.” I like that very much.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shonali Burke, Bill Dorman. Bill Dorman said: RT @shonali: @ginidietrich Hey Gini, I just mentioned you in my comment on "Why Do You Blog?": http://fyre.it/nj […]
Mine is a personal blog only – not intended to drive business or position me professionally.
I began blogging this past September – as I was moving from my home in Canada to Russia. With a large group of friends & family constantly asking me to email to advise what life is like in Moscow, I quickly determined it was much easier to simply write blog posts. It’s an interesting method to share my experiences efficiently and effectively. I’ve also discovered it serves as a conduit to enhancing relationships with friends I’ve had only sporadic contact with over the years.
And I have already discovered it’s interesting for me to review my earlier blog posts as they document the small milestones of this experience, some of which I’ve already forgotten due to the constant crush of new information and the struggle to learn the language.
@ToRussiaWithLove Wanda, I would love to see your blog – do you mind leaving a link here? That really is a great way to share your experiences with your family and friends. Looking back, if I’d been more web- and tech-savvy when I moved to the U.S. from India, that would have been a great thing to do to relate my experiences, instead of the emails I used to write (as I mentioned in my reply to @WallyBock . And it’s so true – when you don’t document things, you can easily forget them.
The other day I found a calendar I made during my first year of marriage. I think it was even called “Your 1st Year Calendar” or something like that, LOL. I put stickers & stuff from events & so on that we went to. Kinda cheesy, but it’s fun to look at it and see what we did (and sometimes, HOW MUCH we did!) way back when.
@Shonali @WallyBock
Sure! Blog site can be found here – http://tinyurl.com/27uphdo
Didn’t register a special url initially, though may do so now.
Love your calendar idea, too. May seem cheesy but what a great more modern take on a scrapbook.
@ToRussiaWithLove I LOVE your blog! I’m going to be reading it obsessively now, since Russia is one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit.
I’d love to connect offline (email?) if you’d like, Wanda – have some more questions for you, whenever you have the time…
I started to blog because I wanted to position myself and Matrix Group as thought leaders, because we wanted to share thoughts and trends with clients, and because we figured blogging would be great for SEO.
But after a few months, I remembered something I had buried long ago. When I was in high school, I was a HUGE fan of the San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen. Back then, I wanted to be a columnist when I grew up. I wanted to share my thoughts, experiences, commentary. When I started blogging, that memory came back and blogging just felt right.
I LOVE that I get comments on my blog, that clients tell me about a specific blog post, and that my staff tell me a post was spot on. I’m a writer and it feels right.
@jmpineda I really like the conversational tone of your blog, Joanna. Not to mention the “Chief Troublemaker” moniker – heh! Yes, comments can make a huge difference – so thank you for taking the time to stop by here!
Such a great question, @Shonali and @hackmanj . For me, the answer is pretty simple. Conversations about our industry and beyond are happening all over the place. People are sharing and learning like crazy. Do you want to be a part of it and become a better person and professional for it? Or do you want to sit back, take it slow, and watch the good times roll by?
Blogging starts a conversation. Sure, it shows I have a POV. But it als gives me a chance to meet people and learn from their perspectives. The moment you stop networking is the moment you should stop working. Blogging keeps me on my toes and forces me to network, share and listen. Plus, we are PR pros and writing is our lifeblood. It’s a skill that’s vitally important to our jobs and one on which we can always improve.
@JGoldsborough “Or do you want to sit back, take it slow, and watch the good times roll by?”
Nail. Head. Mr. G. I think you said something very interesting about networking, because blogging is a form of networking, though many folk don’t look at it this way. Because of blogging, I’ve met great folks like gini dietrich , ingrid abboud and @hackmanj . That’s already led to great conversations and talk about work… quite amazing how it works.
@Shonali @JGoldsborough ingrid abboud @hackmanj Gone are the days that we have to go to PRSA events to meet new PR pros. And Griddy.
@Shonali @JGoldsborough gini dietrich ingrid abboud @hackmanj Shonalie and Gini – thank you! I feel the exact same way and more about you guys :).
@Shonali @JGoldsborough gini dietrich ingrid abboud @hackmanj Shonali – please forgive the “e” at the end of your name in my previous comment – typo – and my bad!
@Griddy @JGoldsborough @hackmanj No way, I love the “e” at the end of my name. Makes me feel all Parisian. Or should that be Parisienne. ;P
@ginidietrich @JGoldsborough @hackmanj We haz a new event to plan. The @Griddy Hour!
@Shonali @JGoldsborough @hackmanj Haha Shonali(E) – Parisienne indeed :). When I still lived int he US – for some reason – people use to add an “N” to my last name making it Abbound lol. Oh, and of course – Lebanon (the country) somehow became Lebanon, NH ;).
@Griddy I wonder if they were using “spellcheck” and didn’t bother to correct your name, Griddy! And of *course* Lebanon the country became Lebanon, NH… you mean there is a world outside the US? *Shock and awe!* @JGoldsborough @hackmanj
I blog for three main reasons: 1. It is a place for me to share my thoughts, perspectives and experiences in the way I want to. 2. It helps potential clients get to know me better so they feel more comfortable working with me. 3. It has connected me to some amazing people, events and I love the social aspect of the blog world!
@KirstenWright Thanks, Kirsten! @JGoldsborough mentioned a similar point, about connection, and that is so true.
@KirstenWright We’re kinda twins, for all of it. I posted over at @ginidietrich that now my blog IS my portfolio, my social media. Like @Shonali said it is one of our best marketing tools.
As you know, I haven’t started blogging yet. I’m working on it! Aside from my addiction to all things social media, I plan to blog primarily because I love to write. I also think it’s a great way to express myself. I hope that blogging will lead to conversation and interactions with others, and I can learn from them.
@TabithaEdwards Yes, and I can’t WAIT to see your first post! It really is a great way to express one’s self, learn – everything you said – but once it starts becoming a part of you, it’s so joyous. I think it’s also addictive. I literally cannot go to sleep if I don’t have my post for the next day ready, LOL.
I am flattered that you are taking on this topic Shonali. I am also excited to see more of the great responses that I know will come from answering this simple but important question. In a nutshell blogging for me is many things, but it’s predominantly about expression, conversation, awareness and professional image. I tend to be a little eclectic but to reign that in I blog in different places. I blog at several Rotary oriented websites mostly about Rotary activities and non-profits we’re involved with (awareness). I am very eclectic on Amplify, anything is fair game there. I’ve started writing a little more philosophical stuff on East Bay Bloggers (expression, awareness). I continue to write about information technology and security at my company’s website (a different kind of awareness, professional image). I also write about social media, tech and my podcast on my personal blog (conversation, professional image).
This is a little bit of a over-simplification but it does fill in some blanks I didn’t address in the original post. :)
@hackmanj Joe, since you podcast, etc. as well, do you find that you prefer one form over another? If you had to give up any of your outposts, would you be able to… and which one(s)? And thank YOU for starting the conversation!
@Shonali I love any conversational platform but I prefer a real conversation (podcast, over coffee, etc) digitally I spent years on Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and seem to like to be on things like Amplify and blogs with lots of conversation. If I had to give up any of my outposts that would be tough, typically I cut back and budget less time but I have cut out things like my Examiner column. I could cut out the Rotary stuff and East Bay Bloggers if necessity required it, the rest I see as far to valuable and enjoyable to stop. Great question. :)
@hackmanj See, I’m already learning more things about you. I had no idea you wrote an Examiner column. It’s something I thought of doing, but decided against because of all the places I’m already writing/editing – time wouldn’t permit it.
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I write to make my living and because writing is the tool I use to understand things. I blog because blogging is a wonderful basket to collect the pieces of my working life.
@WallyBock “A wonderful basket to collect the pieces of my working life.” I love that phrase.
When I first moved to the US, I used to write LONG letters – ok, emails – home. They were full of my reactions to the country and life around me, since I’d never been here before. Slowly, the “mailing list” grew to include select friends and my husband’s family, and I did this… oh, every weekend, I think, for at least 3-4 years. After a while, it petered out, and they’d always ask me when the next “epistle” was.
In a way, I hope my blog is doing that; not just showcasing my professional experiences, but also opening a window onto who I am, and what’s going on with me. Of course, the advantage is that it’s a personal blog, so I can do that.
Perhaps I will start up a REALLY personal blog again in lieu of the epistles! Actually, one of my dearest friends has a remarkable personal blog, that I simply devour. It’s almost exactly as you describe it: a basket to collect the pieces of her life.
Great question, Shonali.
I justify blogging by telling myself that it will increase my visibility (social and search) and that it will lead to more clients, and all of that is true.
But ultimately, I just love to write. It’s who I am.
I try to keep things interesting for myself and my readers by mixing it up: some how-tos, some strategy, some personal stuff. In the end, I love the feeling of not having anything to say as it resolves into saying something that moves people.
Isn’t that what it’s all about?
@annbevans You DO love to write. I’ve seen that first hand, and I love your newsletter AND blog, as you know! Do you still feel that you have to justify it, though… isn’t it enough that you enjoy it?