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. Kendall, thanks for the follow, not just because it’s encouraging to have you along for the ride, but primarily for introducing your words to my attention. I like your words. Cheers!

    Like

  4. Wow! You are the first person to follow me. *hug* Out of all the bloggers in blog world, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a more awesome first follower. I really love this article!!! Full of wonderful thoughts and advice. I smiled all the way through it! 😀 Thank you!!!

    Like

    • I am honored to be your first follower and I am sure there will be more to come. So grateful you found love for this post, it has become one of my favorites as well. Thank you for leaving such kind comments in the forum and I officially welcome you to the neighborhood. So glad you found us.

      Like

  6. Thanks for the follow, Kendall! Out of curiosity, I’m pretty new to the blogging game, how did you find me? I really appreciate what you’re doing here and hope that my voice can help out in some way.

    Like

    • You are quite welcome. Your tagged words work more than just google search, they also work for ‘WordPress Reader’ search so to speak. You were in the Reader under Health. Welcome to the neighborhood. Glad you found us.

      Like

  7. Thanks for checking out my blog….I too am late in this game, but love to write, have “too many words” for my friends to listen to, so this is a great outlet for me.

    Like

  8. I first want to thank you for liking my post. I wasn’t sure if blogging is for me so I was just trying to get my feet wet. “Why would anyone want to listen to me?” is the question in my mind. You simply “liking” my post has validated that little voice within my heart that answers, “You are not alone. Share your struggles. Someone needs to hear you.” I decided to read your posts and as my mom would say, I was “blessed” by your words. I thank you. I look forward to continued relationship. Much love to you!

    Like

  9. Kendall,

    What writerlauren said. Only I have been blogging much longer. Thank you for the follow it is greatly appreciated.

    Like

  10. Hi Kendall, thank you for the great tips in this post. I know the feeling of wondering whether you should be writing. Once you break the seal though, the rest comes easier I find. I wanted to ask you something- I have been blogging since January ’13 and I really enjoy it, but I find it difficult to get people to interact with my blogs- very rarely do people comment on them. I would love for my posts to spark comments and conversations and I wonder if I might ask you what you think I’m doing wrong? You’ve visited my blog (which is how I found you, so thank you) and I’d really appreciate your advice. I hope you don’t mind me asking and thanks in advance.

    Like

    • hello lauren – you are quite welcome. you have asked an honest and fair question of something that is of importance to you, but I am sure that others have the same question or concerns. If you do not mind, I will your answer in my next post. I will try to have it written and published by morning. Thank you Lauren for adding your voice to the community. In exchange of knowledge begins with the asking of questions.

      Like

  11. Thanks for following Kendall.

    I started blogging about a week ago. My wife was working nights that week and instead of waking up as she was getting home, I found an 24-hr coffee house and worked until the early morning and then ended up going to bed just a few hours before her.

    I had been meaning to blog for a while but felt there wasn’t much I had to say that hadn’t been said by someone else already. It was about 2:30 in the morning and in my delirium, I decided to start, writing a post of a few ideas I had for my upcoming school year as an educator.

    Even though I am relatively new to blogging, I’ve resonated with a lot of your list. Morning always feels so far away when you’re awake in the middle of the night, and to actually have that freedom to carefully craft your thoughts and ideas to share with others in a way that they can understand is awesome, and then to wake up at noon and see that a handful of people read it, understood it, and enjoyed it gets you excited about what you’ll create next.

    I look forward to exploring your posts 🙂

    Like

    • Thom – by your closing remark, i assume you are new to the neighbor, but your replied demonstrates a comfort of someone who has been here many times before. Thank you. It is very important to me that all feel comfortable in expressing their selves and sharing the knowledge and challenges. It is the united voice that offers the most wisdom. I enjoyed the enthusiasm of your response. I am sure that it resonates in your blog as well. Welcome to the neighborhood. so glad you are here.

      Like

  14. Thanks for following my blog. I haven’t been paying much attention to my blog but after reading this post I intend to. Like ArtsyFemme above I was pleasantly surprised at the content.

    Like

  15. What a wonderful mind you have. When I read the title of your post, I expected to read something close to making your blog popular or having a promoting aspect to it. Instead I find a text which understands that writing is an extension of oneself. Well, that was my first impression it…Thanks for following me by the way.

    Like

    • When I write for entertainment, I try to include some information of value and when I write an opinion or editorialize, I try to approach from the heart. Every now and again, I hit the mark. So glad you are.

      Like

  16. First let me say thanks for reading my post and following. I’m humbled and grateful at the same time. Next let me say Amen to your 5 reasons to invest more time in your blog. My 3 top goals are:
    *Share the Love (whatever wisdom, humor, & compassion I have to share)
    *Fill the Web (Quote from Thomas Carlyle: A well-written life is as rare as a well-spent one. There’s plenty of garbage on the web, for the sake of balance let’s try to flood it with the good humanity has to offer.)
    *Hone My Skills (I loved writing in College, but let it languish while I raised kids. Now it’s like a well that’s bubbling over. My blogs give me a place to contain the overflow while working on the water quality.)

    I got curious about Malcom Gladwell after reading Blink. I found this quote from him on Wikipedia and it captures what I feel about my experience blogging on WP.

    When asked what message he wanted people to take away after reading Outliers, Gladwell responded, “What we do as a community, as a society, for each other, matters as much as what we do for ourselves. It sounds a little trite, but there’s a powerful amount of truth in that, I think.”[1]

    Write on.

    Like

  18. Hi kendall! Interesting read you have here. I am a new blogger here and your post is indeed an encouragement. Although I am still amazed how you found my to-be-filled-with-mommy-stuff blog interesting. Thank you though. I hope to read from you more.

    Like

  19. Hello Kendall: Just wanted to stop by and thank you for following my “Delightful Local Repast” blog. Your blog is quite interesting and compelling. Enjoyed it a lot. Best, Rose

    Like

  20. Hi Kendall, thanks for following me. I’m so glad because I learned of your site. I really can relate to this edition and thank you for it. It is a pleasure to follow your posts now. Your neighbor.

    Like

  22. Pingback: The Five Reasons YOU Should Invest More Time Into Your Blog | biblestudykjv

  23. Thanks for following my blog and for introducing me to your blog. You have a way with words combined with significant thoughts. I especially felt that your blog about the boy pointing to heaven and being disqualified from continuing on in track was right on the mark…”what oft was thought but ne’er so well expressed,” as Alexander Pope put it.

    Like

  24. Hi, thank you for following my blog and I really like your post. You are a great writer and I will continue reading your posts!

    Like

  25. Your work is absolutely fabulous and educative.
    I hope to learn a lot from you.
    Thank you for being a motivation.
    Thumbs up!!

    Like

    • Thank you so very much for visiting, reading, absorbing and sharing your thoughts. I humbly ask just one more thing, please tell your friends and family that we are here. Welcome to the neighborhood. You are appreciated.

      Like

  27. Wise words. No matter how long a person has been blogging (I have been a blogger for three years now), a little impetus to post frequently is a good thing. Thank you for following my blog.

    Like

  28. nice article, and yes i am your neighbor now 🙂

    Like

  29. Thank you. I enjoyed this post as well, and so far I relate to you in many ways. Actually, right now I am going to check out a couple of your other blogs that you mentioned above. I’ll let you know what I think…that’s what I do. Lol. You haven’t seen much from me yet, but I have a lot to say, so you will…trust me:) I hope you enjoy my future posts. Thanks for following.

    Like

    • You are welcome to visit and say as much as you like. If my posts serve as a catalyst for discussion, I am grateful for that. But the comments and the discussions and the questions help us all continue to grow, learn, think and appreciate our lives, our communities and our world. So glad to have you here.

      Like

  30. Hey Kendall. Good timing on reading this post. As a new blogger (just over a month at it) I found it encouraging. Particularly its transformative power and it being a possible cure for my insomnia! Thanks for the inspiration and for the follow! -Beth

    Like

    • Does the sandman stand you up too? (smile). Blogging has become an important institution on so many levels. It allows us to communicate more freely, and acquire more knowledge directly. Good for you for joining the blogging community. Glad you are here.

      Like

      • Thanks! and Yep! sandman does! My brain spin out. Figured its a good way to release the “flurry”. And I am really reading such interesting stuff…

        Like

  31. Hey Kendall,
    Thanks for following. That was a great read, and I will be reading more.
    Thanks again,
    Gary Harris

    Like

  32. I love this post. It’s almost as if you can read my mind. Your blog is tip top. Good job, keep up the excellent, and relatable, work.

    Like

    • It may feel like I am reading your mind, but in actuality, your comment demonstrates one of the points made: somewhere, there is someone facing the same challenges, asking the same questions, holder of the same knowledge. This platform allows us to find one another to share. Thank you for leaving such kind words to this forum. You are very much appreciated.

      Like

  33. Thanks for following my blog. i appreciate that. I’m brand new as of this week on wordpress and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from bloggers like you. This was an especially good post for keeping my motivated to write! Have a good day! 🙂

    Like

  36. Simply love it! I am too a late bloomer just starting this month but I love it. Love to write, love to encourage, love to read, love to motivate and just love gaining new knowledge. Keep writing for as it has been stated before this neighborhood needs more like you.

    Like

  37. Kendall,

    Thank you for reading and following my blog. I am now a follower too and appreciate your thoughts on how much we learn from each other. I look forward to reading more.

    Like

    • Every time we interact we are learning, we are growing. That is why is so important, that even when we disagree, we do so in a way that we can still learn from one another. Welcome to the neighborhood.

      Like

  40. Many thanks for following me. I so relate to your five reasons to blog. Every week when I sit down to write I wonder, “who cares?” but yet I know that there may just be one person out there who needs to hear what I have to write.

    Like

  41. Thank you for following our blog on Hilot, the traditional healing art of the Philippines. I totally agree with this post–yes, in our own way we are contributing to the world. 🙂

    Like

    • We are the world and the institution of blogging has become an integral part of communicating, opening doors to so much information and so many new people and places, and our contributions are part of that network. I learn from you, you learn from me, we are living in different parts of the world, so our contribution becomes worldly. It may be small, but no less useful. Thank you for adding your voice to this platform. So glad you are here.

      Like

  43. Kendall- thanks for folowing my blog and also I really appreciated the 5 reasons why you should invest in your blog. It affirms what we do and for me, I like to write and leave something for posterity for my son. Thanks for inspiring me with your blog.

    Like

    • The thought of leaving posterity for your son is so beautiful and genuine, it serves to support the reasons why we should invest more time into our blogs. Thank you and welcome to the neighborhood. So glad you are here.

      Like

  44. Kendall-

    Thanks for following my blog. I am always fascinated by the types of people that follow me or like a post, and I am always interested in the blog(s), each of them work on.

    While I will continue to look through your posts, this one immediately drew my attention and it is one that resonates with me. The many reasons that you stated for blogging are why I do it, especially for the mental rest/exercise and to share knowledge, thoughts, and experiences. Sometimes, it is just to recommend a good book to people that I really enjoyed. Yet, as you said, it allows use to feel connected as a global community, which is valuable. So, I guess that’s a long way of saying thank you for writing such a great post that resonates on so many levels.

    Like

  45. Thanks for the follow and for writing this post. Your success is encouraging and the tips are very useful.

    Like

    • Success is relative, but I count everyone one of them, even the minute, it helps to keep you inspired, when the big ones have yet to knock on the door. And the success that I am counting right now, is that you found encouragement in this post. Because encouragement is a two-way street. I thank you as well. Welcome to the neighborhood. And I am proud to be a part of your community too.

      Like

  47. Hey great read!! I see you encourage many people, keep it up!! That is a fantastic thing you are doing!! Thanks for following, one new follower can do wonders to a person, haha!! I will definately continue to read more posts from you!

    Like

    • In turn, thank you for encouraging me with your kind words here and inspirational posts over where you are. The prayer at the end of your 7/19 post, very comforting to me indeed. Welcome to the neighborhood. Glad you are here.

      Like

  48. Thanks for following my blog; I appreciate it.
    Reason #2 in this post does it for me. Good thoughts; thanks for sharing them.

    Like

    • So simple to share the bad, it is usually top story on the news (not a knock, it serves a purpose, just stating a fact). It is nice to make a conscious effort to share the good things in our life. Welcome to the neighborhood. Glad you made it here.

      Like

  49. I always like it to find a treasure early in the morning and I think by following me, you showed me the way to a treasure that big I have to dig a whole deep like a skycraper. Thank you very much and I am lucky that you survived your self-imposed exile from writing and I think it made you stronger because all the words you have into your brain and soul first listened to the silence, then started tapping their feet, then made a first try to break out (verbally) but you hold it back and the day you finally began to write again, it was like champagne pushing out the cork and every drip was lucky to find its place in the public showcase made of glass.
    Have a great day and maybe you want to have a look on my blog which I began to write about gamification and now am moving in many directions.
    May the force be with you,
    Chris

    Like

    • Chris – The force (you) is with me now. Welcome to the neighborhood. I am so pleased you are here. Please, tell your friends and family of what we are doing, and invite them to visit or join us as well. As far me following your blog…the pleasure is all mine.

      Like

      • I find your neighborhood a great idea! This weekend, I’m gonna have a look through. Would be great if you could share some expertise how to get a blog running with us. I know that I love to write and post but sometimes, it is hard to get people really reading what you write. I can go for lots of followers by posting on everybody’s blog and following everybody but as my blog is about gamification, only a few of the people will really read and think about what I write. But feedback is what I am looking for. So I’m looking for a solution, an advice or at least a good question on the way to solving the problem. Maybe you can help me…

        Like

        • Chris – I have developed a monthly post to answer questions that may seek a wider audience (The Knowledge Bowl). Please send your question to thepublicblogger@yahoo.com. I am so glad that you believe in the neighborhood concept. It only works because of readers like you. Welcome to the neighborhood, Chris. So glad you are here.

          Like

  50. Hey Kendall, thanks for following. I never cease to be amazed at being found. Read through some of your posts, and your thoughtfulness shines through. This is truly a great neighbourhood you’ve built.

    Like

    • Dpc – You could not have said anything of more value than the compliment that you have given The Neighborhood. It is a testament the neighbors who believed and joined early, and the ones that arrive daily, like yourself, who express so publicly the joy they feel of being apart. When a person is looking for something, they are easily found, and I was looking for you. Welcome to the neighborhood.

      Like

      • I echo Doc’s sentiments. And resonate with what you say in this post Kendall and also in your response to Doc. Thanks neighbor 🙂

        Like

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