When I talk about blogging, I get asked lots of questions like . . . 
Why do you blog? Doesn’t that take lots of time? Who reads it [i.e., who needs it?] What’s the point? How much money do you make? Is it really worth it? What do bloggers do all day – is that all they do? And my favorite . . . What do you get out of it?
My being a blogger confuses many people: my family, my book group, clients, friends and sometimes even me. Although my real blog doesn’t match my ideal blog – something to do with managing clients, parenting three teens, volunteering and running a busy home life – it’s about 70% there. Even when I’m not blogging, I’m still writing posts in my head.
While what I write isn’t delivered to hundreds of thousands of people every day like a major journalist’s work would be, I am part of a system – an environment of thinkers, writers, doers, connectors and activists.
Now that I don’t answer every question that everyone asks and I’ve given up trying to convince my book group that reading blogs is worthwhile, the simplest answer to all the questions may be: I enjoy sharing knowledge and meeting new people.
Yes, I do network in person, but I find this virtual meeting ground a fizzier, more interactive place with long-term longevity.
Today, Liz Strauss offers seven ways to build a remarkably powerful personal blogging network. Because I met Liz at BlogHer and again at BlogWorld, I added “go to blogging conferences and see who you connect with.”
Blogging is all about relationships and virtual though they mostly may be, it’s good to know that, yes, there is a real live person behind that post who wrote it for you to read.
What do you think?
English 
3 thoughts on “Blogging on Purpose | Building Virtual Relationships”
Barbara!
Thank you for this post. It’s an inspiration. Sometimes we all wonder what we’re doing here. You said it beautifully.
Got a great chuckle out of your reference to the book group, that doesn’t seem to understand why one might blog. Whenever I mention my blog at the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group, eyes glaze over, even though I’m blogging about resources to help writers become more productive.
You are right: we do it simply because we like the networking that emerges from it. I’m happy to discover your blog, which I’ll certainly bring to the attention of my own readers, who will find it informative.
Tom