Why women love blogging – with contributions from our readers
We wanted to know the reasons why women love blogging, so we asked our Attract Readers community. Here is what a Trauma Therapist, a Lifestyle Blogger, 2 Authors (one of whom is also a Counsellor) and a Photographer have to say. Jean & Ute, Founders of Attract Readers are joining in too.
Blogging helps me to reach a larger audience
by Dr Rossanna Massey, the TraumaQueen
There are a lot of reasons why I love to blog. For starters, it’s a great way to connect with other women. I’ve met some amazing people through blogging, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I can use their blogs to learn more about my particular topics of interest. One example is that I’m currently reading several travel blogger’s first-hand experiences being an American expatriate in Spain and Portugal.
It’s also a great way to share my thoughts and ideas with the world. I’ve always loved writing, and blogging gives me the opportunity to share my work with a larger audience. As an Energy Psychologist and tapping expert, my blog posts are written to teach people a different approach to quickly and easily navigate stressful and difficult times of their lives.
Blogging is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and stay current with the latest “buzz word” descriptions of what’s happening now.
Plus, it’s a great way to document my life journey! It’s entirely possible that other people will find my journey interesting as well and be inspired to move forward on their own paths.
Blogging – writing from your life
By Shirley Anstis, MBACP, Writer, Counsellor at Envision Counselling
We are reading and writing more than ever. We are certainly drawn to peoples’ stories, whether real or imagined. Words, the ones we write, read, and say – speak to who we are.
I have written three books and released those into the world. Once something has grabbed my attention, I find I need to write about it and put it somewhere. Blogs are writings I put into the world, and I do that as and when I’m inspired to. At other times, I like to ponder, reflect, and question privately.
I also use writing as therapy with some of my clients. Writing exercises can help us access a less conscious part of ourselves. Deciding which words remain in a private space and which are published is not a straightforward thing.
But I speak as an introvert. When publishing brings validation and a sense of community, then it benefits everyone. We may need an audience, or we may want to keep our musings, insights, and opinions private. Whatever the case, finding the words to connect to our inner world is a worthwhile journey.
Blogging has unlocked my voice and my creativity
By Shalagh Hogan, Blogger at Shalavee
What do I get from blogging and why have I continued to blog through these past 10 years when word has it, blogs are no longer current?
I continue to blog for the same reason I began blogging – to improve my writing. Anything you do repeatedly, you get better at. My accountability to my readers has had me show up every week for 10 years.
Further, I’ve gained a sense of self, a community, and a voice from blogging. I write to hear myself think, to discover and acknowledge my truth. I draw understanding from deep down and find a new aha at the end. I live for these Ahas.
Blogging forced me to show up online as a social media user. I slowly established an online community where I dared to be authentic. And through this authenticity, I trusted my gut to lead me to good people. And it did. These truthful human interactions increased my self-esteem and let me know I had worth in the world.
My voice was born and continually validated by the echoes saying, “Keep telling your truth”. So I will.
What blogging has done for me as a photographer
by Jo Scott of Jo Scott Images
Blogging doesn’t come easily to me as I am a visual person. However, I know that blogging is good for the SEO on my website and on educating my potential clients on my work.
As a photographer I am lucky because images engage people at first. When I think of a theme for a blog, I search for the photos that demonstrate what I’m trying to say. This makes it easier and once I start writing it all happens quite quickly!
Blogging forces me to articulate in words my concepts and the way I work, rather than relying on visual prompts. It helps me to communicate with my clients or potential clients in a way I wouldn’t normally.
I have used past blogs as a basis for articles on LinkedIn and I’ve had really positive feedback about these, with connections saying they found them useful. That enables me to reach a wider audience, which can only be beneficial.
I’m a bit of a reluctant hero when it comes to blogging but I know it’s good for me and my business.
Writers and bloggers are the perfect pairing
by Gill Buchanan, Author and Blogger at www.gillbuchanan.co.uk
For me, writers and blogging are a perfect pairing! As an author, writing comes naturally to me. It’s something I love and feeds my urge to be creative.
With my blog I built momentum for The Artist, the Farmer and the Ancient Oak – the book I have just published – to get readers interested before its launch.
My book explores the practices of intensive farming vs organic more natural ways and the effect on a farming family in Suffolk. Through my research I’ve discovered how amazing trees are, and in particular oak trees which can live to 900 years old. This fascinating subject, which is very topical today, is best shared in longer pieces on my blog. This enables me to engage with my readers through their comments.
I love that I own my blog website and the content. And that no one can take it down!
Blogging has no limits
Jean Wolfe, Co-founder of Attract Readers. Marketing expert and poet.
Our views can be shared on the internet without barriers and a blog is a less frenetic version of social media, its more party-going cousin. You can add images, video, audio and it has the added benefit of belonging to you on your own domain and searchable by Google.
Personally I like the longer, more considered format as I find it a good way to develop ideas. Blogs have the benefits of journaling but are shared with a reader. Sometimes a blog post is straightforward to write. But the exciting times are when the act of writing reveals ideas I didn’t know I had. The subconscious is activated and when the words appear in front of me I realise that is what I wanted to say.
The refining process follows to get the post ready to go into the wider world and make friends. A more collaborative form of satisfaction and just as valuable!
Blogging leads to learning and new opportunities
by Ute Wieczorek-King, Co-Founder of Attract Readers – Coaching bloggers, founders and leaders to own their voice
If someone had told me in 2007 what blogging would do for me, I wouldn’t have believed them. All I wanted back then was to carve out a little online space to call my own.
I have been writing all my life but I never considered myself a natural writer. Maybe it’s because I write in another language.
Here is what learned to love about blogging:
- Doors can open and lead to new opportunities. Whether you get invited to guest post or attract new projects and customers. My blog helped me to achieve all that.
- Readers appreciate the power of a true voice. For me this means taking a personal approach, embracing all aspects of myself in my writing, and not worrying about being judged for what I say. (This was, and still is, important learning for me!)
What has helped me from the beginning is knowing why I blog. I aim to share my learning and experiences to help professional and creative people to live and work with more purpose, passion and a confident voice. It guides me every time I write.
We look forward to reading what you love about blogging, whether you are a reader or a writer! All thoughts make a contribution and your comment will support women bloggers. Thank you.
