What are the benefits of Blogging?
Earlier this year, I returned to blogging after a short break from writing. I’m probably best known for my work on Tubblog – The Hub for MSPs, but my writing here is purely for fun and self-expression.
Somebody recently asked me, “Blogging, is that still a thing?“. I smiled at the question. With the rise of platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn, it’s easy to see why people assume the traditional blog has been left behind.
What I would say is this. Social media is where you borrow attention, blogging is where you build authority.
The Algorithmic Hamster Wheel vs Digital Real Estate
The typical social and video platforms are designed to keep users on an algorithmic hamster wheel where content expires in 24 to 48 hours. But a well-written blog article, by contrast, compounds in value over years through search, evergreen referencing, and direct audience trust.
I’ve previously shared my thoughts on Why View Counts Are Vanity and why I’m Leaving Social Media for a Personal Sandbox.
But why do blogs still matter?
Blogging Benefits
For me, the benefits of blogging can be summarised in a number of ways. A good blog can be a:
- Personal knowledge-base
- Journal
- Way to help you improve how you present your thoughts and ideas
- Platform to help communicate your vision to people
- Method to build contacts and community
And, I’ve found that regularly creating blog posts can help with your mental health, too.
Seth Godin & Tom Peters on Blogging
Some 17 years ago, when asked about blogs, the legendary Tom Peters and Seth Godin summarised how I feel.
Seth Godin points out that writing a blog matters because of the discipline and humility it requires. Creating a blog forces you to clearly explain your thoughts, even if the only reader is your cat!
Tom Peters goes even further, calling it the single most important thing he did for his intellectual and emotional outlook.
So, content creation through blogging can provide you with numerous benefits, while, in my opinion, consuming social media tends to drain you over the long-term (even if those cat videos provide momentary amusement).
Do you still read blogs, or do you have a corner of the web where you write for yourself? I’d love to hear your take. Do get in touch!
