10 reasons why blogging is great

Do you need convincing that blogging is worth doing? Here are 10 reasons for you to consider.

1. You can organise your thoughts in one place. Do you have groundbreaking ideas, strong opinions or constructive criticism on one or more topics? Are you posting lengthy comments on other sites or getting into debates with your friends about the topics of the day? Blogging might just be good for you.

2. You can develop your writing skills. Fancy yourself as a bit of a writer? Well, it's better to get a bit of practice in before trying to market yourself as a writer. It's actually better to develop your skills on a blog than in private, as you can respond to other people's posts, or read what people think of your posts if they post a comment.

3. You can get your voice heard. Don't agree with something you've read or heard? Instead of writing a long comment on someone else's blog, why not develop your ideas into your own blog post? There may be people who find your post and feel the same. This can have a snowball effect - and who knows, maybe you'll be able to make a difference.

4. You can meet new people. Whether they live locally or elsewhere in the world, blogging is a great way to meet people. Thanks to blogging, I have friends all over the world. You can too!

5. You can get feedback on your ideas. It's not just about sharing - it's about discussing, too. I've had ideas that were just a very quick thought, but other people have helped me to think about how to make them better. This can be an idea for a blog, a new software package, or a movement in your local area. It's your choice.

6. You can teach others. We can't all be good at everything, but we all have our strengths. So, why not share some of your knowledge so others can learn from you?

7. You can open doorways. Blogging isn't only a hobby. For instance, blogging can help you to get a job. It may also open up other opportunities that you could only dream of before you started blogging.

8. You can make better use of your free time. Ever feel like you're not using your free time very productively? Blogging can be a great use of your time. It doesn't have to take over your life - but it can be a good option if you have some time to spare.

9. You can get into a routine. There are many reasons why blogging on a schedule is a good idea. Still, perhaps it's not for you - blogging irregularly can be just as effective! Perhaps not being in a routine is your way of keeping organised. Basically, you can blog on your own terms, which makes it all the more rewarding.

10. You can find it to be very therapeutic. Angry? Sad? Overjoyed? Lonely? Ambivalent? Why not write a new blog post? It's a great way to let off steam, or simply air your views. Of course, it's all too easy to write a big long rant, so do be careful what you say before you hit the Publish button.

There are plenty of reasons why blogging is great - can you think of any more? Also, you can expect to see a follow-up post where we look at why blogging sucks!