Reasons to Blog

Since taking over as the Publicity Officer for the Indiana ACFW, my mind has been focusing on the benefits of blogging. So today, I am going to list my top 5 reasons to blog and the benefits of doing so (on Hoosier Ink, or any place else you get the opportunity).

If you find yourself in a position where you would like to be writing more (but do not have the time), doing a “once a month” blog post can at least keep you writing. Let’s face it: sometimes life just keeps us from doing what we really want to be doing (more writing). Getting yourself set up to post once a month can keep you moving forward in your writing when compared to not writing at all (and a small step forward is SO much better than sliding backwards).

Blogging gives you the opportunity to practice, practice, practice, oh…and did I say practice…your writing in a “visible to others” environment. Posting on a blog is a GREAT way to work some writing practice time into your writing routine that you know others will be able to see. It’s kind of like practicing your golf swing- The more you practice your swing, the better off you are on your line-up, execution, and follow-through when you are “out on the Green,” or in our case, “perfecting your writing skills or your manuscript.”

Blogging can help you develop your voice, writing style, and can give you a “published” avenue for your thoughts and ideas. I don’t know about you, but writing down my thoughts always helps me to clarify what I am thinking. Blogging can be an excellent way to let others know what your thinking and why you are thinking it.

When you blog about your writing life, you are connecting with your audience. When you allow comments on your blog, you can get feedback (thus connecting to your audience) on what you are writing about. When you connect with your audience, you develop a following and thus readers who will want to read more.  


When you enjoy what someone writes, and you feel connected to that author, how many times do you find yourself marking your calendar to check back for the next post by that author?

Guest blogging is a fantastic way to access a new audience. When you guest blog, you are blogging on a location that is different from the place you would normally post. This can be good in that this other place will expose your writing to a different audience…one that might not have seen your writing on your “home” location for blogging. You can then redirect them back to your homepage.

Blogging gets your name and your writing “out there” for everyone to read. You are giving readers a window into your imagination, a peak at your writing room, and you are giving them a way to comment on what they are seeing. Just be sure to close the window before you go to bed…you don’t want to let a “draft” in.

Question: Why do you blog? What do you get out of it?