Why Everyone Needs a Blog, Including You!

  Written by Jason Cercone on Feb 02, 2010 1:04 PM

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There’s a reason why everyone needs a blog. Today’s “social web” is all about transparency and revealing who you are. So naturally, there’s no better platform to “give it away” than your own personal online “home.”

Social media continues to be fastest-growing segment of the World Wide Web. People spent 82% more time on sites like Facebook and Twitter in December ‘09 compared to December of ‘08.*

Blogs are lumped into the same category.

Globally, social networks and blogs are the most popular online category when ranked by average time spent, according to NeilsenWire.*

Blogs have become a mainstream source of news, information, insight, connectivity, and personalization. Platforms are easy to access and manage, and the ability to share your thoughts and provide valuable content to your visitors is a cinch.

So why should you start a blog? Here are some reasons:

Transparency. As I mentioned before, the rise of the social Internet has completely changed the game. People and businesses can no longer hide behind websites and 800 numbers because the average consumer will go to their competition who has everything out in the open. A blog is the perfect extension of social networking profiles and allows you to express your thoughts on any subject matter in your niche, ranging from business, sports, life, art, photography, etc., in a detailed way.

Personalization and Connectivity. A blog can be a very opinionated account of your views on anything. And that’s the point. Your goal is to relate to your audience, not sell them something immediately. The average web surfer turns a blind eye to someone who pops up in their social network and says, “Nice to meet you! Go check out my business at *link*.” People seek out and gravitate to OTHER PEOPLE, and keep coming back to those whose opinions and knowledge they most closely relate to. In addition, the ability to add comments and their own insights will keep your visitors coming back for future conversations. Your blog gives someone the chance to learn about you, your thoughts and motives, and gives them a central location to return to in order to get more!

Providing Value and Insight. Again, people aren’t online seeking out a business, so why do you want to spend your time doing nothing but spewing your opportunity to the masses? People want answers to their questions, their pains alleviated, their burns remedied. And you are in a position to give them what they want…and what they want is valuable information that helps them out.

Think about yourself and how you feel about all the spammy emails and direct messages on Twitter you receive daily. Annoying, right? Your audience feels the same way! By providing value, you become the expert, thus leading to repeat visits, more focused and targeted opt-ins, and a line of people wrapped around the corner who want to work with you.

Your blog is Your ‘Online Central Nervous System.’ This is your social network on steroids. Everything you do as far as marketing, business-building, lifestreaming, social network contributions, photos, and more should be added to your blog. It’s your online home on the World Wide Web, a place for you to be the party host and show the world who you are. When people come to visit your real-life home, they’re greeted by pictures and decorating themes that express your personality. Your blog should relay the exact same message.

Blogs are great because they allow you to manage the content, customize to your personality, and, best of all,  don’t require an advanced degree in web design to set up. You can sign up for free at sites like www.wordpress.com or www.blogger.com, choose a template, and be ready to enter your first blog entry in a matter of minutes.

When 82% of the world is spending insane amounts of time on a given segment of the Internet, it’s best to be part of it.

That’s why everyone needs a blog…including you!

To Your Success,

Jason Cercone
www.jasoncercone.com

*Statistics courtesy of NeilsenWire, 2010: Led by Facebook, Twitter, Global Time Spent on Social Networks up 82% Year over Year

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