Blogging on Purpose
Posted on June 26, 2007
Living life on purpose is something I strive towards. I enjoy looking at cause and effect, the end results. Writing to a blog is a process that is done with definite goals in mind. I wrote about the Top 20 Reasons I Blog back in March. In reviewing those reasons, by-and-large they are still the same.
Doing the Math
Today, I did a quick look at my web stats using Google Analytics. I’ve seen a 22% increase in visits from the previous 30 days. Sounds impressive. So, making the blanket assumption that I will see a 22% increase each month from the previous one, I figure that by next April I will have a whopping 186 visits per day. If I were to purposely monetize the site and saw a 3% return click rate on ads at .25 cents per ad, I’d be making roughly $42 a month. If for some reason I was able to triple the return I would be making $126 a month by next Spring. If you figure I spend at least 30 hours a month blogging including reading and commenting (and probably many more, I’d hate to count), I’d be earning $4.20 an hour. Wow, does that motivate you or what?
If thoughtsparks.net were to become profitable one day, I would probably give the money away. I strive towards a personal integrity that is not about compromising my posts to win popularity or even to turn a quick buck. If I don’t challenge, educate, delight or encourage my readers, then I will banish myself from the blogosphere. This blog, while autobiographical at times, is really about the readership, about you. Truthfully, the well-formed comments speak to this site becoming an online community of folks who are thinkers and are looking for honest information and encouraging pros.
Why I Blog, Simple Really
- Learning. As a professional web developer, blogging keeps me on the bleeding edge of new technology. As a communicator it sharpens my writing and critical thinking skills. As a student of people it teaches me the unique and dynamic nature of the human condition.
- Giving. Blogging is an opportunity to share lessons I’ve learned and tricks of the technical trade. It’s an avenue to offer assistance to people near and far.
What Motivates You?
Statistically speaking, the number of wealthy bloggers are very few. You stand a much greater chance of making serious income in many other pursuits. So why do you blog? What really drives you and gets you up every morning? Is it pursuing financial gain? Is it altruistic concern for others? Is it a creative thirst for expression? What’s your bottom line? I’m curious to know.
Filed Under Writing, Web and Tech Helps, Critical Thinking |
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7 Responses to “Blogging on Purpose”
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203 posts and 916 comments
I don’t blog because of the money aspect and don’t even have any of those ad sense stuff… my reasons, actually initially I didn’t have reasons.. it was an accident. I discovered blogging quite late, but now that I analyze it, its because writing is one medium through which I find expression much easier mainly because of the ‘edit’ facility which unfortunately we don’t possess when we talk.
I genuinely enjoy meeting such a diverse group of people and being a spectator in the scheme of their life - and so I offer mine as well. I think it’s one of the most amazing communications tool ever invented…
Random, Yeah that’s a really good point. I believe my writing skills out pace my verbal communication skills. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had the same luxury in life to edit verbal communication in kind. I think many folks start blogging without really thinking about why, but most that stick with it probably can identify their root motivations. That’s part of what’s so wonderful about the process of self-discovery that blogging promotes. Thanks for sharing your perspective and adding rich thoughts to the conversation.
Thanks for saying this, Phil. Your post is pushing me to write something I’ve wanted to say for a while with respect to the viral tagging I see on other’s blogs right now. I’ll try and be as eloquent as you always are when the words come.
Yeah, my next blog, probably tonight or tomorrow morning is going to be on the subject. There is need for education and encouragement for folks to pursue excellence rather than spend their time on gimmicks. Go for it sister! The more voices the better.
I am motivated by the need to speak. That is why my personal blog get’s up to three or four posts a day while my business ones get five a week.
Nice post. Which is why I asked you to join me and talk about this subject.
Matt,
That’s one of my motivations too. I truly enjoy the conversation aspect of blogging. I find it often more stimulating than verbal communication because the information tends to be more well thought out.
Diogenes,
Yes, and I haven’t forgot about you. Just been busy with many balls in the air. I really do appreciate your tenacity.