I am giving a presentation at UNCW’s BusinessWeek in February on Blogs. As such, I have really been thinking about blogs, how they can be explained, and what value they bring. I’ve been wanting to boil it down to the most fundamental level.
It seems to me there are a great many aspects of blogging. Some of these aspects have a very immediate and direct effect in a person’s life while other aspects have a much less visible but lasting effect. The thing about blogging is it isn’t about the tool it’s about you and your readers.
As I have been blogging, I’ve gained something special, part of which is understanding how to use the tool (a global content distribution platform). But what I’ve gained in addition to that is much greater. Blogging has taught me, and I am sure others, a greater understanding of myself, how to share my ideas in an effective way (not that I always do), and most importantly how to listen (still working on it). It’s taught me the value and importance of creating a conversation with people, and different ways to interact. I think that’s the real core of blogging, it’s that knowledge and ability that your or I can take with anywhere and apply to everything.
And that’s why it’s not about the tool, but what you learn from having used it. Similar to how a university is less about the university and more about what you learn from having been there (more or less). A blog is just a disruptive technology. Sure, it reduces the cost of producing content on a global scale significantly, which is awesome, but that’s not the point. Blogs will evolve into a different technology, but the foundation- the mindset- will remain. If you haven’t gained that, you will be left behind. In fact, blogs are already beginning to evolve as you look at tumblr, twitter, utterz, seesmic and other services. A “blog” as we know it now may become obsolete, but the mindset you gain from having done it won’t.
So I’m curious, if you blog, how has it changed your mindset? If you don’t blog, why not?
2 Comments
Nathan,
Blogging has given me an oppurtunity to independently work on my future career. As a senior in college, I am beginning to seriously worry about life after school. Will I get a job? Will I make enough money?
I have taken this worry and invested it into many hours spent writing and reading blogs dealing with the same topic. I have read tons of useful information of blogs, and I feel that if I continue working on my own blog, bettering it and increasing traffic, than by the time I graduate, I will be qualified for a good position somewhere, or even perhaps to start my own company. Blogging is an easy and fun way to network and learn a whole lot while you’re doing it.
Todd, thanks for sharing!
As a senior in college myself, I can completely relate to your worrying about life after school. It’s one of those stresses that I don’t think will go away until you’re actually out and in the job.
I think your approach sounds great and is probably ahead of our other peers :) I know my blogging has opened up job opportunities, I’m sure it will for you, too. Have you checked out EmployeeEvolution? Both Ryan’s over there are great guys and the site has a wealth of information. It’s also great if you can guest blog on it (which is also a great way to bring traffic to your site, by the way).