100 Ways Blogging Can Improve Your Life...Or Maybe Just 1

When asked if we liked blogging, the general consensus is "no". For people like me who don't pride themselves on being technologically savvy, blogging about DMCA and HDCP seems tedious and even intimidating. I mean, I write these blogs about unknown territory only to get a 7/11 and be told my grammar sucks. I thought to myself, "What is the point?"

Well the point for this class specifically is obviously to muscle out a Silverman-worthy blog in hopes of receiving the almighty 11 points, but in general, blogging has more points than one might assume. Philip Greenspun of Harvard answers this question by saying, "[Blogs] are there to relate things that I’ve learned so that others don’t have to repeat my mistakes; this blog is here to entertain friends and if other folks stumble across it and are entertained or find their thinking sparked in new directions, that’s gravy."

MySpace was essentially the first blogging site and if any of you had/have a MySpace account, the word "questionable" may come to mind. However, with sites like Blogger.com and Wordpress.com, the blog has evolved from the angst-y teen journal to a realm of intellectual thought. Yes, entertainment, silly/random thoughts, and new ideas are all welcome and reasons to blog, but I have found that in addition to a space for self-discovery, the world of blogging is actually the broadcasting agent of the future, a business catalyst and an advertising mecca.

My sister, Deb, the creator of Living Livelier blog, started her interior decorating business via blogging. Her blog started merely as a way to share her ideas about interior design and hopefully inspire others. Deb blogged about decorating her own house, DIY projects, online sources to buy home items, great shopping in her area, the Hamptons, and an antique fair. Her collection of pictures, links, advice, ideas and commentary brought so much traffic to her site that she was asked to advertise other design sites on her page. Due to her talent and mass of fans, Deb has also been invited to Martha Stewart and Nate Berkus events in New York City. (For those of you totally not interested in domestic artistry, this is a BIG deal!) People loved her blog and they loved her work. She was asked to take on a few of her fans as clients and pretty soon, LivingLivlier became Bryant Park Designs, a business created by means of blogging. Ta da! Blogging led my sister to an unsolicited career as an interior decorator!

Although Deb didn't initially have intentions of starting a business, her blog became a way of advertising her skill and essentially, advertising herself. By using a blog, people avoided seeing a webpage filled with options that most of the time are confusing and never allow you to find what you're really looking for, but instead could explore her style, read her commentary, and in a sense, get to know her.

We all love a success story, but this proves that blogs truly are the advertising of the future. (Look at this blog for instance, I'm now also advertising my sis!) It's not a billboard or a commericial where you are subject to it for a few seconds and then it's out of your mind. Maybe you remembered information about the product but most likely you didn't. Take a Cymbalta commercial- the list of 160 side effects takes up the commercial time and now people know it can lead to death, but what are the benefits? Blogs allow people to read at their own pace and only continue if they like. They can be saved as a 'favorite,' shared with others, or 'followed.' Information is readily available and unlike a book or magazine, blogs tend to be short and to the point.

Maybe you want to start a business. Maybe you already have a business and are looking to expand or draw in new clientele. Maybe you have a hobby that you hope can will turn into a business. A blog can put you on the map for anything. Next time you ask, “What’s the point?,” make your own point. Blogs advertise YOU. Take advantage!


Mallory.