Seven Reasons Why I Still Blog, 7 Years Later

On Wednesday, February 14, 2007, I published a post entitled “5 Reasons Why I Blog”. I just finished reviewing that post, and I reached two conclusions: first, I still think blogging is relevant and important for professionals and entrepreneurs. Second, some of my reasons have changed, and some have not.

Ray-Edwards-Blog

This is an update of that original post, over 7 years later. Here are 7 reasons I still blog, over 7 years later.

  1. It’s good for business. It wasn’t always this way. When I started blogging it was more about self-expression. It didn’t take long for me to realize blogging was building my business, too. I get a steady flow of new business from people who say something like, “Well, I started reading your blog and finally decided I would call you.”
  2. Self-expression. As I said above, this is why I started blogging. Once upon a time, I was a radio DJ. Highly-rated, successful, and loving it. Being on the radio was my own personal megaphone. It was my way of being heard. Now I get that same satisfaction from blogging. You can too. Now everyone’s a DJ!
  3. Building a relationship with my readers. There’s nothing like a blog to build a relationship with your readers. My blog (and its extension, the Ray Edwards Podcast) is the source of most of the conversations I have with my readers.
  4. The podcast. When I started doing the Ray Edwards Podcast, my blog took on a whole new life. It started to feel like more of a community, instead of just a website. Some would suggest that I only need the podcast now – but I feel that is incorrect. In my opinion, the podcast would not exist without the blog. I can't imagine having one without the other.
  5. Marketing. I know there are many who say you can’t “monetize” a blog. Really? My own blog has brought me… well, let’s call it “a substantial amount” of revenue. I know many others for whom this is true.
  6. Research and testing. The quickest way I know to test a new idea, get some feedback, or get an answer is… make an appropriate post on my blog.
  7. Crystalizes and clarifies my thinking and ideas. The very act of gathering my thoughts and ideas to share with you requires me to focus and distill my thinking to its best, clearest expression.

Those are 7 reasons why I still blog.

Question: Do you blog, and if so, why?

Ray Edwards is a world-renowned copywriter and communications strategist, writing for some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. Ray is a sought-after speaker and author, hosts a popular weekly podcast, and blogs at RayEdwards.com.