For many years now blogging has been THE thing to do on the internet. Yes, way before Instagram and Facebook, bloggers were spending time in cyberspace, documenting everything from their three meals per day to their deepest, darkest feelings and everything in between.
I’m a big advocate of blogging for creative types, so if you are reading this and you’re a writer – whether or not you’ve been published – you need a blog. Right now. Today.
The biggest reason you need to have a blog has nothing to do with your business. Creative souls must always be expressing themselves or else their creative energy dries up. Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised. “Use it or lose it” as the saying goes.
If that’s not reason enough for you to start a blog, I’ll give you five more compelling reasons.
Five reasons every writer needs a blog.
Writing a blog forces you to meet deadlines. Yep. I can attest to this as I sit here writing this only hours before it is scheduled to go live. Had I not set this goal for myself to blog every week I would have just gone to bed. That would have resulted in me possibly skipping out next week, and the next, and the next. Eventually I would lose that creative muscle and I would also lose connection to you, my audience (reason #2).
Writing a blog connects you with an audience. If you’re writing only for yourself you might as well be journaling. To write a blog is to take a stand for yourself, your ideas, and the people who read them. The people who read your blog want to know how you can improve their life, whether it be through entertainment, insight, empathy, or even instruction. A blog gives you a platform to start a dialogue with your readers, get to know them and let them get to know you.
Writing a blog allows you to develop an email list. People who find your blog and read it are all potential buyers of your current and future books, programs, and services. When you have a blog you can simply ask them if they want to hear more from you (like I do at the bottom of this post). Having an email list gives you yet another opportunity to connect with your audience in an even more personal and direct way.
Writing a weekly blog helps you become a better writer. As I said earlier, the more you write the more you build your creative muscle. Your senses get tuned in to the pulse of your audience and what they need. You might notice that ideas and inspiration come to you more quickly and easily than before. With each blog post you become more confident and you begin to stretch yourself intellectually and creatively.
Writing a blog nudges you to get comfortable with being seen. This goes along with connecting to your audience. The more you blog and connect, the more people will share your content. As more people become aware of you, it may trigger your desire to stay in your comfort zone. But home alone in your living room is not how you will grow and step into being an authority in your chosen niche. So get started on that blog and get comfortable with people knowing your name!
If you’re a coach, healer, or creative type who helps make a difference in people’s lives you do need a blog. Not sure where to start? Book a Clarity Consultation with me today and I’ll help you determine your best options.
