Blogivation

Why do I blog?

When Jordan asked me that question it made me stop and think. Although I have often considered that topic, my motivations for blogging often change from year-to-year and even from day-to-day.

Thinking it over, however, I realized that my primary reasons for blogging have mostly remained constant.

My Blogging History

Before I get started, though, let me give you a brief history of my forays in the blogosphere.

Since the day I (Nate Desmond) started blogging (nearly three years ago), I have run three medium-sized blogs and innumerable smaller projects.

This February, I started my current blog – Practical Manliness. On this blog, it is my goal to “apply the historical ideals of manliness to modern men”. I work to accomplish this goal through my three weekly articles and an upcoming manifesto.

Now, without further ado, here are my five main motivations for blogging:

1. To Learn

One of the main reasons I blog is to learn. Starting with my first blog at age fifteen, I have always chosen topics that I am interested in learning more about.

Topics of My Three Major Blogs:

• Build Your Own Ecommerce Website– Helped me learn ecommerce.
• Debt-free Scholar – Helped me learn more about college.
• Practical Manliness – Helps me learn how to be a man.

In addition to learning about my blog’s topic, writing and promoting my own websites have helped me learn a variety of important skills, such as…

• writing.
• communication.
• marketing.
• programming.
• graphic design.

In my opinion, learning is one of my main motivations for blogging.

2. To Spread Ideas

Blogging presents an excellent way to spread important ideas.

As a 17-year-old young man, I do not have many opportunities in the “traditional” media. Mainstream media outlets (such as TV or radio) have few openings for unknown young adults.

On the internet, however, I have more opportunity. If I write well and provide useful content my readers don’t care that I am still in high school; for the most part, they will evaluate me based on my actions – not my experience.

3. To Network

I have also been very blessed by many networking opportunities as a direct result of my blogging.

I primarily use three websites for my networking:

• Facebook – For “offline” friends.
• Linked In – For business connections.
• Twitter – For anyone and everyone.

The many networking opportunities I find as a blogger are certainly a great benefit.

4. To Earn

Although I have not yet made very much money from blogging, this is an important motivation.

As a high school student about to start paying his own way through college, I am in need of funds, so I certainly look for ways to make money from my blogs.

Primarily, I have made money from…

• Affiliate programs (mostly Amazon)
• Free books (I often received free books to review on Debt-free Scholar)
• Blog sales (I sold Debt-free Scholar)

5. To Have Fun

Blogging really is enjoyable.

I love writing, learning more about a wide variety of topics, and connecting with new people.

Blogging is a hobby… that can potentially become a business.

In Closing

I hope that this short explanation of my personal motivations for blogging will encourage other bloggers and potential bloggers to seize the day and start (or continue) writing their own blog.

Thanks for reading!

-Nate Desmond