What Does Blogging Mean To You?

Image : DerrickT

If you’re like most bloggers, you started a blog, just because “everyone else was doing it”, right?
But have you ever really wondered: what does blogging mean to you? How special is it to you?

In this post, I’m going to share with you some thoughts on why blogging is special to me, and what it means to me, as I think it’s about time I did so, to gain some focus and insight on what my blogging really means to me. Feel free to share your own thoughts

The Satisfaction

Blogging is very satisfying, at least for me. Whenever I get a question from a reader, I feel that people consider me to be worthy of asking. And when I get a reply from a thankful questioner (after I’ve solved the problem), that puts a smile to my face.

It’s also about the pride I feel when I see my RSS subscriber numbers increase day by day, and the traffic numbers go up week after week. In other words, its like the satisfaction and pride you feel when passers-by stop to buy lemonade from your stand. You feel a sense of accomplishment, don’t you? (If you’ve ever operated a roadside lemonade stand, you know what I mean )

Also, it is about the honor I feel when I think about all those loyal readers, who read this blog regularly, and recommend it to their friends. it gives me a sense of authority: a thing which can take an entire lifetime to accomplish.

Moreover, when your content gets the flood of traffic from social media, and gets voted up, and gets linked to, don’t you get that special feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction and joy?

The Pride

Besides the satisfaction, it’s also about pride and sense of fulfillment. It tells me that my content is something that is worthwhile, something people are ready to spend their time reading. I feel proud that I’m doing something constructive, helping myself stand up on my own two feet, while most other people my age waste their time doing nothing.

Also, it’s about the kick. To tell people proudly: ‘I’m a blogger!’ is what makes me more proud than ever. Even though most people don’t get who a ‘blogger’ is, it still leaves an impression on them, and build respect for me.

The ‘kick’ gets even more enjoyable when I tell people that blogging is something you can earn from, and something that I earn from. Their jaws drop in awe and admiration. What could be more elevating?

The Money

Yes, it’s also about the money.

Money is not my primary goal. Nor do I blog only for money. Neverthelesss, it still feels nice to earn some money. It tells me that what I’m doing is profitable (I don’t care how much the money is), and that my effort and determination is paying off.

Even so, money isn’t the primary factor I use to judge this blog’s success. Many successful bloggers don’t earn any money from their blogs (they don’t monetize it). For many people (including me), the important thing is the readership. Money comes as a “side benefit”, if you will.

Different bloggers have different goals, and different ambitions. For some, money is the thing. For others, it’s not. What do you think?

What Does Blogging Mean To You?

So, what does blogging mean to you? Inspire us with your story! We’d love to hear.

You can be as brief or as detailed as you like.

Cover image by Jeff Belmonte