The Five Reasons YOU Should Invest More Time Into Your Blog

  Posted on by Kendall Fredrick Person

  576 Comments

BLOGGING

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The Five Reasons You Should
Invest More Time in Your Blog
by Kendall F. Person

forestI was a late bloomer when it came to blogging, not entering the scene until August 2012, and only at the suggestion of a close friend and fan of my work. When I posted U.S. Open: the drama in sports, it was not because I had suddenly seen the light and wanted to join the blogging community, which as it turns out, was the best decision I could have made, but it was because,  after a 12 year self-imposed exile, I wanted to discover if I were still able to write. I was not working at the time, having only recently returned from a 30-day project in Philadelphia, so time, as far as hours in a day, was on my side. Locating an apt subject was simple, for as a huge tennis enthusiast, the approaching United States Open afforded the perfect topic. Blogger, Google’s easy to use blogging platform, gave me the tool and my good friend had given me the motivation.

I had spent 15 years in the marketing arena, five of those years marketing my own work, so I knew about promotions and the need to promote my first post if I expected anyone to read it. My confidence was not low, it was non-existent, so I chose an inventive way to promote my work, while protecting my fragile ego in the process. I derived a pen-name, hence, thepublicblogger.

Knowing the importance of statistics, after conducting a generous amount of promotional work, I sat back and stared at the counter, which is a built-in part of the blogging platform. While tennis is a niche sport in my home nation, it is a major attraction in most other parts of the world, and to my surprise, U.S. Open: the drama in sports took off (on a relative scale). I would gain a 1000 views in the first week of that first post, and even some infighting in the comments section. And then, something remarkable happened….Kendall F. Person the writer was given a second life.

gardenI began searching for permanent employment, but continued to write and soon after published my second post, Rudyard and Michelle: A Literary Union forms a Century Apart. While the numbers were not nearly as impressive, the comments reaffirmed that the literary world was where I belonged. I continued to blog, even confirming – via the series BREATHE – rumors among close friends that thepublicblogger and Kendall F. Person were one in the same. Nearly one year, 30 posts, and 12 promotional videos later, I realized that investing more time into my blog, can only make me mentally stronger, more visible as an author, more determined as a writer

and more knowledgeable about the

world around me.

So without further ado, I give you The 5 Reasons why YOU should invest more time into your blog.

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run  – from If, by Rudyard Kipling

 

five

Time
For those who enjoy a comfortable and refreshing night’s sleep, consider it a one of life’s guilty pleasures. Those who suffer with insomnia, either on occasions or as a way of life, perceive a peaceful, uninterrupted night of slumber a gift straight from the heavens. Lack of sleep does not simply leave you tapped for energy, it actually becomes painful as one tosses and turns, slugging pillows, throwing the blanket on and off of your tired body, begging for the sandman to take you, which he never does. But why suffer in silence, or disturb your loved one, if there is one sleeping beautifully next to you, or drain more brain cells watching television shows you would not normally watch, when you can invest that time, not being used by anything else, into your blog.

Rather it is a rant about not being able to sleep, or a piece of work worthy of a Nobel Prize for literature, producing new posts, adds depth to your site, material for readers and yes, writing a full post at two in the morning, even acts as a natural tranquilizer, allowing you to get some much needed rest.

In vain have you acquired knowledge if you have not imparted it to others. – from Deuteronomy Rabbah

four
Share the Wealth
There is nary a challenge, problem, question or quandary that is unique to any individual person. And while I completely understand that just reading about another person’s struggles, that are similar to ones own, will not solve your problem, it sure can make you feel a whole lot better. I use my own posts as examples, simply because I know them, I do not pertain to be an expert in all fields that I write about, so read the comments under your own posts or others’ you follow, and you will note the truth of what I state. When I posted about operating under the confines of bipolar disorder (Elevators: Using Mind Games to Cope with Depression), readers who battle depression, anxiety or other mental blings, joined in the conversation. Some were grateful of my personal anecdotes, while others left messages of their own successes and challenges. BULLY opened the doors wide to a societal discussion on worldwide crime, and my music reviews introduce artists to new listeners. Whatever direction your blog has taken or the platform you have chosen, there are others who can be assisted by your strengths or, in turn, even offer meaningful suggestions to the one that made the posts.

Omwana ni wa bhone  (It takes a village to raise a child) – Kijita (African) proverb

threeThe Blogging Community Depends On It. 
In the small, working-class neighborhood of Strawberry Manors in the city of Sacramento, California, it is not uncommon for police helicopters to hover overhead or gunshots to be heard through the silent air of a warm summer night. The local elementary school, at one point, ranked dead last in academic performance in the state of California. The neighborhood and its residence were thought so little of, when the great floods of 1986 threatened to inundate expansive land geared for development, even though it was vacant, developers purposely diverted flood waters that  drowned nearly ever single house. But Strawberry Manors proved that the strength of its community would be measured by its residence and fought back against every challenge that threatened their pursuit of living a normal, happy life. They embraced wayward youth rather than shooing them away. They demanded a strong academic program for their children and they waged a winning class-action battle against those same developers, being awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair their washed out homes. But if not for the active participation of most of the home and property owners alike, Strawberry Manors could have easily fallen into despair.

In writing post and maintaining our blogs, we are making a contribution to an institution with a world wide influence, allowing everyone to voice their opinion and deliver sound, experience-driven advice. Each contribution deepens the level of the well. Rather your contribution is entertainment, how-to or a rant about your bad day, it allows the blogging platform to earn the mantle of being an expansive, online community that brings the world closer together.

Just make me feel good. – Halle Berry, Monster’s Ball

 

twoReleases Negative Energy in a Positive Way. 
Leticia Musgrove, Halle Berry’s character in the brilliant, but depressing Monster’s Ball, had lost her husband through capital punishment, her only child was hit by a car, she was evicted from her home, and literally thrown out into the streets. Alone with Hank Grotowski, (immortalized by Billy Bob Thornton) who had problems of his own, he asked but one question “What can I do for you?” Her reply, “Just make me feel good.”

Venting frustrations, even at an unchangeable situation, or presenting your self-produced podcast, video or book, blogging has a way of making each of us feel good. There is a sense of accomplishment whenever we complete and publish a post. Rather it is a photograph of the sunrise, taken from a mountaintop somewhere in paradise or the final episode of a 5-part serial post, we exhale at the small wonder we achieved, and revel in victory when readers find solace or passion within our art. We feel good because we have taken a step toward reaching our goal, or simply because we find joy in being ‘Liked’ by someone that we may never know.

Say it forget it, Write it regret it. – Unknown Origin

 

oneOur Contribution to the World
‘Say it, your words will be forgotten. Write it, your words will transcend time’ should be the bloggers motto. Following the Columbus High School track team debacle, I joined the discussion via telephone and in person. But I found the incident extraordinary, for whatever reasons, which incited to me to write the post A Lonely World. My life is still a work in process. I am humbled by both my readership and the incredible comments that readers leave. While I am a confident writer and do comprehend its craft, there is still much for me to learn and room for me to grow. So when I say, A Lonely World is a special post, please accept my words in the spirit in which they are given, and by no means a braggart or conceited boast. And that spirit is to prove my final point. Had I not written the post and only stated verbally the exact same words, what has turned out to be my most read, most liked and most heartfelt piece of work, would have found no further listeners then those few people that I spoke with, who have no doubt forgotten, the words that transpired about such a meaningful topic.

Everyone has a story or a song or an experience that once immortalized through blogging, will produce comfort or force thought or a reaction, somewhere around the world. Investing more time recording those experiences, assures that our imaginative creations, valued opinions and wealth of knowledge will find audiences to enjoy and learn from them, long after we are gone.

– an opinion from thepublicblogger (Kendall F. Person)
music, ‘My Motivation Inspiration Everything’ courtesy of P-Shaw Productions

 Category: #thelists, the lists      Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

576 Comments on “The Five Reasons YOU Should Invest More Time Into Your Blog”

  1. This comes at a time when I’ve got very slack with my two blogs. There was a time when I’d faithfully keep at my once-a-week posting schedule, but after a few months I started finding it a very forced habit. I stayed away for a while because I didn’t feel like writing. Initially, it bothered me but soon enough I found it easy to deal with. And then I resumed. Since then I’ve found it easy and relaxed. I write because I enjoy writing and since one of my blogs is devoted to music, it gets even better. To me that’s reason No. 1 to write – that you enjoy it.

    Like

  2. Thank you so much for this! I never would have started blogging if it weren’t for my professor, I really wish I’d started earlier!

    Like

  5. What a well-written piece – thank you. Your advice goes beyond the basic etiquette of blogging which is commonly found in lists entitled ‘How to increase your followers’ etc. Your words get to the heart of why we seek a voice through our writing/blogging and our innate desire to connect with others. After less than 2 months of blogging, I now feel I have a duty to my followers to post at least once a week – neglect your blog and you neglect those people who’ve told you they want to connect.

    Like

  6. Reblogged this on iNation and commented:
    A thoughtful and insightful piece on blogging.

    You may write alone but you are not alone in blogland.

    Like

  8. You’re absolutely right. I spend as much time as I can on my blogs. Although that amount of time varies, I always try to post at least once a month on each of my blogs so that they don’t become dead. Blogging is such a great platform to get your voice out there and to interact with others. It’s an often unrecognized art form and therapy.

    Like

  11. Thank you for following my blog. I love this piece and your writing style; it sounds sincere like a friend sharing his thought.

    Like

  12. All 5 reasons were Write On! I wrote that I was going to take a break since my purpose in starting my blog was to jumpstart a website. Then a sister blogger wrote, “I need you now,” as she was grieving a loss in her family. The pastor/Mom heart in me broke and of course I was back online. One response and her heart was put at peace. Mine rejoiced. Community is what we are made for. Blessings to you! Deborah

    Like

  14. Hi Kendall.

    Again, I am very impressed with your blog posts and think you are a very strong writer. As I invest time in my blog and reading other blogs, I have become a bit saddened by derogatory comments some people have posted regarding abuse survivors….It has made me start to think maybe this isn’t the right host/forum for me to be writing. However, I am going to press on because like you, I felt the prompting and the urge to write. I feel like this is now time for me to leave an online contribution. Your blog is one that encourages me and shows me that some writers really have a gift. Thank you again.

    Like

  17. Pingback: The Five Reasons YOU Should Invest More Time Into Your Blog | Essential Thinking

  20. Very true what you said here, now I understand why I still don´t have the Pulitzer,it´s my lack of insomnia. In most cases what people will say for a blog to be successful is to identify your audience and offer something that adds value to them. Very true, I´m just starting with this blog thing, have no marketing expertise and I spend hours in the internet researching,learning about writing, blogs, the hole social media thing to know the in´s and outs and taking advantage of it. And in a future wouldn´t it be cool to just sit in my computer write and make a living? No sporadic painting job here or there, my back will be much comfortable.

    Like

  21. Brilliant post, and very inspiring! Again, some of those reason you mention are why I also started my blog and aim to spend more time on it. Thanks!

    Like

  22. I really liked your post. Half of your reasons were also the trigger for me to start a blog. Especially the sleeping part. Since I have my blog, I can just leave my thoughts there and finally sleep again lol And also thank you for following my blog (:

    Like

    • We are similar in so many different fashions. I am a different type of writer in my fiction post and stories, but in real life, I enjoy accentuating the beauty of creating a close bond between communities. Thank you for visiting, reading and sharing your thoughts on this platform. You are appreciated. And it is my pleasure to be a follower of your blog.

      Like

  23. Agree completely. Blogging to me a means to relax from unknown type of anxiety and restlessness.

    madhukar

    Like

  25. Pingback: The Five Reasons YOU Should Invest More Time Into Your Blog | the random palette

  29. Totally agree. It works like a vent to release anger and frustration in a very positive way. Feels so good after posting even a picture. I think there is nothing more satisfying than sahring.

    madhukar

    Like

  30. Another supergreat post; words that ‘just make me feel good’ about words on print/screen.
    A fan of words. A fan of your words.

    Like

    • And you are so kind. I have always looked at my platform as belonging to the community and try to post, not just entertaining posts, but thoughtful tools or reviews that may be helpful to others. I am so glad it was helpful to you. Thanks for reading and sharing your comments.

      Like

  33. That was an interesting read Kendall. I started my blog not so long ago and I am not very confident about my writing ability too. But I guess practice makes perfect. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

    Like

    • Welcome to the blogging community (wow, I have now been here long enough to welcome others). The beauty about this community, is that you can publish a post at your speed and when you are ready and there is nearly always someone that will eventually read it. Continue to write, publish and your confidence will grow. I have been to your blog and I have enjoyed what I have read. As always, thanks your public comments and being such a good neighbor.

      Like

  35. Reblogged this on phillideethree and commented:
    I recommend checking out fellow blogger, Kendall F. Person’s blog about why spending valuable time is a good call in order to maintain and progress forward with your blog.

    Like

  36. yeah, me too….late bloomer here. I’m digging it though. My husband tells me that he looks forward to my daily rants because he never knows what I’m going to talk about next. I find it cathartic, even if i’m just going on about a dinner recipe.

    Like

  37. I too, am a late bloomer to blogging. But I’m finding I rather enjoy it… not just the posting, but also the reading. Thanks for a great post.

    Like

    • Blogging is only a community because of the give and take. Enjoying the works of others is enriching, interesting and part of being a good neighbor. Your participation in this platform is appreciated.

      Like

  38. Thank you for posting this! I totally agree; blogging is an awesome way for people to come together and share their experiences. Cheers.

    Like

  39. As a new blogger (started in January of this year), with a few followers, I sometimes wonder why I started, and why should I keep going? But this post speaks to me. I DO have things to say, and I DO want to share my thoughts, and if maybe even one of my posts makes someone laugh or think then I feel good. Thanks

    Like

    • I have written 3 novels, 30 posts and countless other pieces and, at times, I question why am I still here. In other words, your thoughts are natural but I make this guarantee, every time you feel like throwing in the towel, something will happen to make you ever so glad you are still here. Please, continue to share your thoughts….you are appreciated.

      Like

  40. Awesome post, Kendall. Its a solid day for me when I can learn new information. Rock on!

    Like

  41. Thanks so much for posting. I was also a late bloomer for blogging; I think it’s been about two, two and a half weeks. On one hand, I’m enjoying the wonderful pieces I’ve come across, but on the other hand, I’m kicking myself for not doing this sooner. To me, you definitely got your point across with this blog. Thanks again.

    Like

  43. Thanks for the post. I actually have my best thoughts on blog posts right before I go to bed. I feel like I should get up and write, but instead I lay in bed trying to sleep.

    Like

    • When sleep calls out our name, it is difficult to turn it down. If you have a laptop, or pc or tablet or whatever technological device that allows you to post, place it beside your bed and on the nights you are not sleeping, roll over and start typing. Even if you just record the title or jot down some good idea, save draft and then finish it tomorrow.

      Like

      • Jerry, just yesterday (or was it early this morning?) I posted something on “connections” and “connecting”; now I read your comments. It sure seems like I read your comments and then posted 😉 We’re on the same page; good to find a kindred spirit. Peace.

        Like

      • I agree. I forget what artist used to do this religiously. I want to say Picasso, but I don’t remember. I just remember watching a documentary on how an artist used to always have a journal next to his bed for ideas.

        Like

  44. Kendall,
    Thank you so much for your thoughtful and honest words. Whereas we find people on blogs many times talking past each other without truly communicating, you have identified the true source of value in this sphere. It is the connections, the real connections that men and women from all around this Earth make that is paramount. Any person with eyes to see will understand that it is in the subsequent discussions after the post where the real deal occurs. You and your readers should not underestimate the specialness that your blog offers. Here’s to you my brother. You and your readers are the real deal and profoundly beautiful souls.
    Thank you,
    Jerry

    Like

    • Jerry – You are a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Your peace-on-earth positioning is felt whole-heartedly here. I am glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for not just the kind words about me, but about the people of my online community. I have grown quite fond of my neighbors too.

      Like

  47. fabulous! the last is my fave – sort of like the ripple effect. i haven’t been so sure about my writing ability or if i need to focus my blog more, but it’s posts like this that remind me it’s worth continuing and seeing what else may happen. again – really glad i stumbled across this blog! always a great read. 🙂

    Like

    • Hi stormy – Always good to see you. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. I have to come by and see you soon. In fact, I think I will head over there right now. >> Thanks for always adding such positive emotions to the neighborhood.

      Like

  49. Thanks for sharing such a hugely informative and helpful post. 🙂

    Like

  50. I like this a lot. A blog can be so many different things to so many different people, both writers and readers. 🙂

    Like

    • I could not agree with you more. And being a good neighbor by reading other’s post, makes for a well-rounded in blogging experience. So thank you very much for visiting, reading and adding your thoughts to mine.

      Like

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