Why Did You Start Blogging?

Posted by Barbara Swafford on Thursday, July 5th 2007

Filed in: Archives, Blogging Surveys, Lessons Learned Tags: Blogging

Why did you start a blog? Is blogging meeting your expectations?

For me, while I was reading The Secret, I was inspired to start a second “business”. A home based business I could do, in conjunction with our other business. The thought stayed with me, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I would/could do. That’s when the law of attraction kicked in.

The next day. I was “surfing the net” (as I had done thousands of times before), and did a search for The Secret. One of the results was “Steve Pavlina’s” blog,. He has written about the law of attraction, plus many other fascinating subjects. As I navigated through his site, I read an article of how he started his blog, in 2004, and was making money with it. In his article, Ask Steve Blogging Questions , I was moved by some of his answers. His greatest goal is to help and inspire others. And I, never having been one who thinks, “What’s in it for me”, found his answers were ringing true for me as well.

That was the “blog” light bulb moment for me. I wasn’t sure what I would blog about, but I knew I enjoyed writing, learning, and being on the computer. I have learned a lot over the years, and am often consulted for my “opinion” on different subjects, so decided to blog about “life issues”. That was the birth of my OM blog.

My biggest problem was, I didn’t know much about, what I later realized was “blogging language”. I started taking notes of what I was learning, and before I knew it, had a journal of information about “how to set up a blog”. One day as I was contemplating what I had learned, I wrote, “And here I am, blogging without a blog”. Hence, the name of my second blog was born.

I’ve been blogging since March 29, 2007. My traffic numbers are steadily increasing. The money I have made so far, is minimal, however, I do see the potential to make a decent “second income” in time. As I blog, and share what I have learned, “making money”, has taken a back seat, to helping others.

So, has blogging met my expectations? Most definately. Blogging has become more than a “second job” for me. It a “vehicle” for communicating with you, my fellow bloggers, and loyal readers

Here’s hoping, some of what I’ve shared thus far, has helped you as you begin your journey into blogosphere.

Back to the original question, “Why did you start blogging?’ “Is blogging meeting your expectations?” Drop me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing your story.

Tags: Blogging

11 Comments

j2r

said on July 13th, 2007

oh boy… My original intention with blogging was just to keep a “diary” of my finances. Then I learned that people were making a lot of money out of blogging and I became obsessed.
From obsession, came frustration, since I couldn’t come up with interesting content the same way as the other ones were.

Then I realized I should just go to my original intentions, which is blogging for pleasure and not for money. I’m now much more relaxed and not obsessed with stats

[Reply]

Jomay

said on October 11th, 2007

My story is similar to yours Barbara - one day I stumbled across The Science of Getting Rich network all about the law of attraction. I started studying it in ernest and it has opened up a lot of great things in my life.

I have always wanted my own website based on wellbeing from when I discovered the web several years ago and the law of attraction helped me realise that I could do this - previously I always thought it was out of my reach and did not believe in my abilities! I started blogging as a way of having my first web presence and then learnt how to build my own website so http:www.totalwellbeingresources.com was born this year!

I love working on my website and blog and my aim is to earn a significant income from it. Having only started in January this year, I am so pleased with what I have achieved and although my income from it at the moment is also minimal I just know I can grow it and I get the biggest kick out of seeing that people have spent time on my site and love seeing comments on my blog! It can be hard work as I also work full time but no other personal project has given me greater satisfaction.

Reading your post here has helped me connect to staying passionate about my subject which is helping people to feel good! Sometimes I can get too tied up in how I can make the money and it is easy to forget that if I concentrate on my passion, the money will come…

Thank you for your inspiring post!

[Reply]

Barbara

said on October 11th, 2007

Jomay,

Welcome to this blog of mine.

You were the first commenter on my OM blog, and that truly made my heart sing, when I knew I was being heard.

Like you, I love to work on my blogs. Some days I am so busy with my full time job, that I have to wait until the house is all quiet before I can get to my blogs, but I truly look forward to those moments.

I get so much pleasure in sharing what I have learned with others, and hopefully in the process, can inspire them to do great things.

I’ve visited your blog and noticed how it has grown and matured over the past six months. It’s looking great.

Thanks again for the visit, and the great comment.

[Reply]

Jomay

said on December 1st, 2007

Hi Barbara

I love knowing that I have inspired others so I just wanted to let you know that you inspired me by reminding me to focus on what I feel passionate about.

My website and blog have developed so much over the past year and my personal development through my online presence has far surpassed what I thought I was capable of learning and putting into practice in a year which is fantastic.

However, I feel that I have tried to be all things to all people and the theme of my website was quickly losing it’s focus so I went back to the drawing board and decided that I would refocus on my passion which is helping people develop themselves. I have a strong coaching and personal development background through many years of experience and this has given me a new enthusiasm for moving forward with my online business with more focus. I have done a lot of work on my website in the past few months and along with my blog I will be focusing on helping others achieve their goals and develop their personal potential which feels like the right direction for me.

Thank you for reminding me how important the passion is!

Best wishes
Jomay

[Reply]

Barbara

said on December 1st, 2007

Jomay,

Isn’t it amazing how our blogs develop a personality of their own. Oftentimes without realizing it, they end up different than we originally envisioned. At times that can result in a good thing, but like you said, it can also take one away from their original goal and passion.

I think it’s common (especially for women) to want to be all things to all people, but by trying to do so, we end up spreading ourselves pretty thin. It sounds like you have gotten back into your original niche, and by focusing on your passion, I would have to believe your website/blog will bring you evengreater joy.

I’ll come by and visit you, and check out the changes you’ve made.

Happy Blogging!

[Reply]

Ellsea

said on September 25th, 2008

I only recently started blogging, mostly as a way of consolidating the scattered bits and pieces of my life - writing, textile art, home life - into an integrated space (in the hope it might rub off on my actual life). I’ve only been going a couple of weeks, but I’m really enjoying it - it’s fun to mix up some of the more serious concerns with something as fun as constructing track with my kids or buying new shoes.

Ellsea´s last blog post..Minor dramas and major performances

[Reply]

Barbara Swafford

said on September 25th, 2008

Hi Ellsea:

Welcome to the BWAB community. Blogs are a great way to consolidate our thoughts, and share them with others, as well. I’ll come by and check out your blog.

[Reply]

Shruti

said on May 21st, 2009

Hi Barbara,

I m shruti from India. I m new here and i m very happy ,I came across your site,Its really Inspiring.
I recently started blogging and my inspiration to start a blog was the same Book ‘ The Secret ‘ If you check the first post in my blog is about the Book The Secret.
I m a beginner yet i feel blogging has met my expectations.I enjoyed writing and i have learned a lot of things after i started blogging.
Now your site has inspired me to put up lot of things on my blog..
Thanks a lot !

Shruti

Shruti´s last blog post..Skadoosh.

[Reply]

Barbara Swafford

said on May 21st, 2009

Hi Shruti - Welcome to blogosphere! I love hearing from new bloggers.

Thank you for your kind words. It’s ironic that both of us were inspired by “The Secret”. I’ll come by your blog and check out your first post, as well as what else you write about.

I hope to see you here again soon.

[Reply]

Barbara Swafford

said on May 21st, 2009

Hi Again Shurti - I just visited your site, read a couple of your posts but when I tried to leave a comment, I couldn’t. I don’t know if I did something wrong or if the comment link is broken. Hope to see you again.

[Reply]

Shruti

said on May 21st, 2009

Hi Barbara

Thanks a lot for visiting my blog..I am sure your site will help me improve my blogging.
Sorry for the inconvenience in the comment option I have fixed it now.

Thanks again !

Shruti

Shruti´s last blog post..Skadoosh.

[Reply]