The X factor
Over the past month, I’ve had quite the discussion with a couple of my brothers. They have given me a hard time because I am in to blogging, podcasting, and other “Web 2.0″ things. The question that they kept asking me is…why? WHY do I blog? WHY do I listen to podcasts? WHY do you read blogs? WHY do people read your blog (that’s a very presumptuous question… maybe no one really does read my blog!).
Anyway, as I’ve thought about the reasons that I blog, I reviewed an entry that I created in September of last year entitled “What’s the point?”. I mentioned that blogging provides an opportunity to reflect upon the learning experiences that I have had. I also mentioned that other blogs help me to learn from their experiences so I may improve or avoid mistakes that others have made.
Recently, my thoughts have taken me one step further: I am a true believer that people do business with others that they know and trust. What better way to get to know someone than through their personal blog? A blog is much more specific, more recent, more personal, and more enlightening than a resume.
It’s also very enlightening and refreshing to read the blogs of those people that you think you know very well. As I have read the FundingUniverse.com blog, or the personal blogs from some of my partners, I have learned valuable things about their thoughts and ambitions that I wouldn’t have otherwise learned.
Brock, tell your bros. that this here blogger blogs because it directly affects my bottom line. Over the past year, it has helped me close new business, expand my skillset to include writing which I know get paid to do, and has opened new opportunities that have turned into new revenue streams. Money talks. You and the other thousand active bloggers listened.
Brock, a blog is a journal, as you have already mentioned, it helps you. Ask your brothers if they keep a journal? They might want to, but don’t. They might just be jealous and not know it.
I think the main purpose of any blog is to benefit the blogger. This may sound selfish, but its not. Think of Paul Allen’s blog, he gets mail all the time telling him how helpful his blog was. I know that would make me feel valued.
No matter how we try to give, the giver sometimes benefits more than the receiver.
Oh and I know what it is like to look up to older brothers, and respect their advice and even want to be like them. I am the youngest in family, I wanted to be each of my brothers, and I mean be just like them.
But I decided it was time to be me, do my own thing. Being a blogger only increases your identity inside your family unit. It defines who you are to them, they’ll eat their words. My brothers have had to swallow a lot lately too. I enjoy being different than they are now, it only allows me to benefit them more by adding diversity to the group.
Cheers!
Brock,
I read your blog!
ddt