Confessions of a Blogging Virgin!

Written on March 25, 2010 by Ali Davies in Business Success Blog
16 Comments - Leave a comment!

Confessions of a Blogging Virgin!It has been a couple of months since I started this blog. The whole process of losing my blogging virginity has been a steep learning curve. Losing your virginity in other aspects of life is, usually, a private affair. But losing your blogging virginity requires that you do it in full view of anyone that wants to watch!

Now, that raises quite a few emotions – Will my audience enjoy my performance? Will it satisfy them? Will it be something they want to talk about to their mates? Will they want to come back for more?

Blogging for Business

Starting this blog was a business decision. Part of a new business model linked to my three year vision for where I want my business and lifestyle to go. The last two months I have been learning about blogging to serve,connect and engage with my audience; raise visibility and build reputation. I totally “get” why blogging is a great tool from a business perspective.

Confession time

However, having started this blog as part of my business strategy, I have a confession to make:

The reason I love blogging most is NOT for business reasons but for personal reasons.

I love blogging because:

  • it feels liberating after 14 years of having to conform to speaking with the corporate voice to speak in my own voice, my way. Boy does that feel good!
  • it connects me to like minded people who share similar passions, interests and values – I LOVE that
  • to allows real relationships and community to form on a personal level, not just a business level
  • it allows me to learn, share and connect with interesting people all over the world. How cool is that?

Blogging is without doubt a great business tool for any Home Based or Small Business Owner. If you don’t do it yet I highly recommend it. Something that gives as much benefit personally as it does professionally should be grabbed with both hands and made the most off.

Tip:

One of the things I have learnt is that it is important to learn about blogging from people who really know their stuff. There are many people calling themselves experts that aren’t. Set yourself up to succeed by making a commitment to learn from high quality resources and people. Winging it isn’t going to cut it if you are a blogging virgin.

Would love to hear your experiences and opinions on blogging from both a business and personal perspective.

Related posts:

Confessions of a Social Media Virgin!

Hiring an Expert? Buyer Beware!

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  • I love this article.

    As someone who is also blogging more and more now, and launching several new projects in the next couple of months, blogging is a great outlet - away from the normal 'hobbies', etc.

    I've also lived in 'corporate land' for a long, long time - and I've found that a lot of my clients actually ENJOY reading my blog, watching my videos, etc. - as its a side they dont usually see.

    Keep up the great writing, Ali...!

    Best,
    Chris
  • Thanks Chris - glad you enjoyed it. A agree blogging is a great outlet. Although as a recovering technophobe I was a bit vary before I started. But now, I love it - on a personal as well as a buisness level. Thanks for dropping by.
  • Hi Ali
    This is a very inspirational post and great to help those of us reading some great blogs and learning how the blogger expresses themselves. I am nearly there to take the plung and some of the comments as well on this post have been encouraging as well. Good to know that taking the step is daunting for everyone but when you get into it, it can become something really good. I think one of the major steps is just finding your own voice. I have to say you have really found yours and congrats on the success and traction you are gaining.
  • Sharon, thanks for the feedback and your kind words. You are spot on about finding your own voice. Interestingly, I have discovered that the more clear your own voice becomes the more you attract the people you want to be surrounded with, both professionally and personally.
  • Ali, thanks for this post. I, like you, left the corporate world after many moons, and also must confess that writing and blogging is a labour of love for me. Having said that, you hit a bull's eye on some key points, namely how critical it is to build a community. These are like-minded people who read and comment because they understand how critical it is - and how disappointing it is to read '0 comments' after you've (hopefully) put something interesting on the screen. It's also an opportunity to have a voice again, as you point out, and to test out ideas, converse with people from different areas and as such, to cross-fertilize your own creative process. Being self-employed, this connectivity and community is vital, dynamic and sometimes very inspiring. I loved your post and look forward to reading more! Warm wishes, Mandy
  • Mandy, thanks for your comments and feedback. To me community is essential and not just for business purposes. We all need to be surrounded by community and this is especially true if you work on your own.
  • Hi Ali,

    This is my first visit here and if this post is anything to go by, I am very impressed. You come across as strong and self assured, you know what your after, you know what your goals are.

    I haven't long started blogging myself, so I know how you feel. Check out www.theinfopreuner.net , there are an awesome circle of people there who will inspire & motivate you, not that you need it mind you. These are just people leaving comments. James, who owns the site, read his blogs, you will be amazed at what he has achieved.

    Ok, thats enough from me. Sorry for dropping the link in, I just think you should take a look.

    Great post, your voice has been heard, and noted. :)
  • Maria, thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate your feedback.
  • You're doing very well for a blogging virgin!
    I love blogging too, and from a shaky start now blog almost every working day. I would never have believed the topics would come so easily. And it's great when you make a connection and get comments, isn't it?
    I very much agree about learning from the experts. Mine was Jim Connolly!
    Carry on blogging!
  • I totally agree, it is really great to connect with people and hear their views through the comments they leave - gives different perspectives and great learning too. I think learning about blogging (or anything new) from good quality people, high integrity people who know their stuff is essential.
  • I love your reasons for blogging, Ali! Your own voice, shared interests & values, real relationships, and a wide-open world to learn from! I'm following close behind you!

    Thanks for a great post!
  • Thanks Chris. Glad you liked it.
  • hang on you don't like being locked up in an office and putting on a corporate work persona to satisfy others and not yourself!?!?

    how strange... ;)
  • You got it Cormac! I am grateful for the corporate experience I gained but conforming and dancing to the corporate tune, for me, was a freedom and life stealer. Glad I escaped.
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