What's the point of blogging?

[Zerox]

Ok.. You've answered this many times before I'm sure.

But Here's another confuzzled soul!

Okay.. there are some idiots who just write about their own life "oh today I saw a cute dress!! omigosh I'mma so gunna buy it!!!111" And they get paid and mtv appearances on THAT.. no damn value at all, imo.

And there are thousands of those who write about personal development through their own eyes. You know, every damn blogger has his or hers own views on solving problems and.. sure it can be helpful but there are sooo many.
Just doesn't seem reasonable that more people should make these kind of blogs.

I'm all in for the idea of providing value for money.
Blogs.. don't generate money unless you really know what you're talking about.. or get a load of followers as dull as your entries (referring to those brats)

And even if you do know what you're talking about you need connections. It's all based on connections and getting your name out there.

So if you dont make money on it.. and you can basically just write about what everyone else is writing about. Personal self development + whatever you're interested in, your hobby.

What's the point? (I'm looking at you all new bloggers who do the same thing)
I may sound harsh and criticizing but no harm intended.

A blog is pretty much just a personal record of your life, day by day or week by week. And as much as I love writing about myself, what I do and how I solve problems.. as well as my personal philosophies. I see no point in it.

Probably because I don't read blogs my self, I dont find any value in.. most blogs. Steve's is an exception because I can relate so much to what he writes. So one hit out of hundreds.

Just.. please explain it to me. I'm very curious about how people think.
Since I don't seem to get it my self. Only parts of it.

[vmiller]

For me, blogging is about connecting a preference for writing with a passion for a topic and a passion to share.

If you don't have much value to add, I agree about their not being much point (unless you enjoy it as a hobby). However, not all blogs are like that.

My blog (Natural Bias) is about helping people improve their lives through better help and giving an alternative opinion to much of the misinformation that exists on being healthy.

You're wrong that it's all about connections. Although that helps, it is possible to do it all on your own, but it does take a lot of work. Leo at ZenHabits.net is a perfect example.

Personally, I get a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment from my blog, and hopefully it will eventually help me break free from the rat race which is a major drag that is preventing me from getting the most out of my life.

[James81]

Blogging is free therapy for me. I've always turned to blogs in times when life has gotten rough and spilled my guts and had a few readers give their replies and it helps keep stuff in perspective.

As for my current blog, it's more of a record of the things I've learned in my own personal development, a way to improve my writing on a regular basis, and a way to inspire/help those who take interest in it.

So, for me, the blog is more intrinsically valued than a way to gain viewers/make money.

[rocksupreme]

A blog is not a specific kind of web content. A blog is a kind of information dissemination architecture. It has specific features that make it useful for some kinds of content and less useful for others.

What is the point? Well depends. There are lots of potential points. That's something every blog has to answer for itself. Many blogs don't have a point, and nobody ends up reading them. Blogs that make good points usually provide enough value to get read.

[floslib]

You know, I swear I must have answered a similar question within the past week or two on this very forum, but here goes again.

I blog for a few different reasons.

On Gaming My Way, I blog about video games and roleplaying games because I enjoy both immensely. Not only do I enjoy playing them, I also enjoy talking about them. By blogging about them, I can talk to way more people about them then I can just by going out to the local gaming store. Plus, I can bring both good and bad things about the industry to people's attention, which can sometimes cause change for the better in the industry. Sure, I'm a small fry, and I don't make a huge difference for now, but I can still put in the effort and do what I can. As another benefit, it's helped me meet new people who are also into gaming.

On Spirited Script, I blog about whatever else is on my mind. It's basically my soap box for whatever I want to talk about. You could make the argument that it has a general theme of personal development, but that's not really my intent behind it. Sometimes, things just bug me, or I have a new thought I find interesting, and I want a place to share my thoughts. That's what this second blog is for.

I enjoy the technical side of blogging as well. While I'm no coder, I can still manage kiddie code, and lots of other tinkering to see how things turn out. It's fun just trying to find a way to make changes I'd like to see.

I also blog in the hopes of being able to someday earn a living from my writing, but that's a secondary reason, and I'm still working on getting to the point where I can do that. No rush though, which is good, because my writing does need some polish.

[MillenniumMike]

Personal Development blogs are a great example of Post Modernism. Most personal development ideas have already been thought of, an example would be looking at the "Power of Now" on close inspection it looks like no mindedness in Eastern Religion. Intent manifestation has been around for centuries, but in this era blogs are essentially simulacrum on a mass scale.

[dave marshall]

Hi,

I am using blogging as part of my business plan,

dave

[Tajma]

I have wondered the same thing...and here is what I think:

Why do people blog?
I think one reason is because people want to be heard. Even those people who are "good listeners" like it when others listen to them. A blog is like a diary of sorts for some people, a way to put their thoughts and ideas out there. Maybe they feel validated that someone is listening to them.
Another reason is to share valuable (that is subjective) information with others, maybe for a profit.

Why do people read them?
I guess for each blog, there is a person out there it may resonate with. Even those seemingly ridiculous ones (like you mentioned...what is the point?).
The point is, people get a glimpse into someone else's life from the comfort of their own home. Some people blog about all aspects of their personal life, struggles, family problems, etc. I think it may be comforting for some to find out that others have the same problems, fears, anxieties. To be able to "watch" someone without them really knowing it is probably exiting to many.

"Twitter" is another thing that is confusing...why do people really care about what someone is doing at all points of the day? "Walking the dog, it is hot today..." I mean really, who cares, right? But people do. It is popular! Because, again, people get a free glimpse into a stranger's life.

So what does that say about the masses? That people are nosey? Or curious? That there is some innate desire to stay connected to others? That people are insecure? That people are arrogant to think others really care what they are doing at every moment of every day?
That, I don't really know...
Opinions?

[bluedragon]

I blog only because I have the belief that what I have to say is among the best written materials some people have the time to read every week or so. Of course, the value of a blog is difficult to estimate, but that doesn't mean one blog doesn't help each person to a certain precise degree. We just don't have the tools to evaluate this helpfulness.

If I believed that there are enough materials better than my own, to fill each person's entire reading time - at all times - then I would stop blogging. I could then make a greater contribution by just linking to those more interesting authors. However, I believe that at least for SOME people, what I write resonates with them well enough to be situated among the best and most helpful things they could possibly read. I could be wrong of course, but if I found out that I'm wrong, I would stop blogging. But this is highly subjective, so if someone sends me an e-mail saying my blog sucks, I'm not going to believe him right away.