Why I’m still obsessed with blogging

I wanted to tell you why I put so much time into blogging and learning about building an online presence. Blogging has been my hobby and now my job for a very, very long time. After 20 years late nights (like coding until 5am) and long weekends (of writing, and writing, and writing) I know I've put well over 10,000 hours into the slew of blogs I've had.

It's been exciting, frustrating, and exhausting, but here's why it's ALWAYS been more than worthwhile and continuously keeps me motivated to learn and create more.

Blogging builds connections

I don't care if you're living in the tiniest town in the middle of nowhere or wandering around in a city of millions - if you start sharing what you love online you will find people to connect with. You can make friends on Twitter, talk live on Periscope, swap stories in blog comments, Skype one-on-one, or even meet in person. If you're willing to put yourself out there and be even the tiniest bit outgoing you WILL be able to find your people and feel supported and connected. It might take a little time, but I assure you, your people are out there.

Blogging is accessible to everyone

If you have internet access, you can blog. You don't need to be a talented designer or a brilliant writer. You don't need to be super techy, photograph like a pro, or have an epic story to share. Anyone, anywhere can blog about anything. I've connected with bloggers from 13-years-old to over 60-years-young in thousands of different niches all over the world. Blogging is all about what you make it and if you have something to share there is nothing stopping you from growing an audience online.

Blogging can help you accomplish your goals

You can knock out fun stuff like learning to bake the perfect soufflé, yarn bombing like a ninja, or taking your family of 6 on a summer-long road trip. Or work toward serious stuff like building a business, finding yourself after divorce, or building confidence about your body. Blogging can help you write a novel, travel, find a support system, move to a new state, become a better photographer, start a product line, earn income - the possibilities are endless.

My blog has helped me learn to code, land and then leave a corporate job, build a freelance web design business, get paid to travel, move from the midwest to the west coast, learn to love public speaking, learn to shoot + edit video, meet-up with lots internet friends, and connect with 100s clients and thousands of students. 

Some of these were crazy, WAY out of my comfort zone dreams, so I have no doubt that blogging could help you do some amazing things too.

Above all - blogging can be exactly what you need and want it to be. 

You can blog to make money, or not. You can grow a giant audience, or not. You can blog for your business, or not. You can host live events, create a community, post every single day . . . or not! I am VERY big on sharing my strategies and then helping students use those lessons to create a blogging plan that works for them. You don’t have to follow all the rules and you can always create your own.