Why I Blog (thoughts inspired by Blogalicious 2009)

I just got back from Blogalicious 2009. This was my first blogging conference so I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I was very impressed by the conference as a whole; the venue was beautiful, the food was fantastic, the sponsors were generous, the swag bags were overflowing, the parties were jamming and the lovely hosts from MamaLaw were gracious and efficient. The information that I obtained was varied and rich and the women bloggers that I met were interesting and smart. The keynote speeches from James Andrews (my husband) and Karen Walrond were inspirational, while sessions like Taking Your Blog to the Next Level and Secrets to a Successful Blog provided good answers, but I left the conference also asking myself more questions. Questions like: Am I blogging with purpose? Am I passionate? Am I even doing this right? And mostly…Why do I blog?

I asked and I answered:

I blog to give information in categories like Techknow Mama, Things I like and Ma-Gyver.

I blog to entertain in Kickin’ It Old School and through many of the silly travel family videos that I post in T as in Tango.

I blog to build a community through posts about myself and my family in What About Me, My Charmed Life or Word From the Mother. I hope that the more you know about me, the more you will share about yourself; that creates community.

I blog Deep Stuff to foster discussion and conversation. I’m a thinker and I know you are too.

I blog to save the world from mediocrity. We’ve got to keep the bar high people. We’re all fabulous; let’s live it!

Through it all, I blog to tell stories. As Scott Rosenberg says in his book, Say Everything: How Blogging Began, What It’s Becoming, And Why It Matters, “A [blog] post is a shared memory….And in the end, that’s what we want and need to remember about our lives, and the lives of others: not factual details but meaningful stories.” Whether I am writing about Disney World, my marriage, Henry Louis Gates or the best cupcakes, I aim to do it with passion, transparency and authenticity in a way that hopefully makes you remember your own stories.

I blog because I have a voice and I have something to say. And that is reason enough.

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8 Comments so far

You bet it’s reason enough! We all have a unique voice which is what makes the internet and blogging so exciting. No 2 blogs will ever be the same because no 2 people are the same.
Michele McGraw (ScrappinMichele)´s last blog ..EA Sports Active Review & Vlog 6 Months Later

Awesome recap! And so glad you blog, you have a great voice! Keep it up and I hope you make it to another conference soon and that our paths may cross again : )
NYCityMama´s last blog ..Blogalicious 2009, Reflection

Amen Sistalove. I love this post. Sending you e-hugs and and an e-fist bump fo- sure! Thanks for mentioning the book. I will check it out. Although we did not get to chat for a long time at Blogalicious, I did get your biz card and will contact you about a radio interview in a week. Keep shining your FDG spirit! Peace and Joy to you and your fam! Ananda

E-fist bump…I love it! Blogalicious rocked, if just to meet so many great women writers.

I can really relate to this post. I was left with many questions as well. It was fantastic meeting you at the conference. (I was the one trying to steal your “funkidivagirl” button that was on your bag! Thanks for giving me the sticker, by the way.

Very good post! I blog for me and to let my friends and family know what I am up to didnt know it was going to take off lol. I love your blog keep up the good work.
tami´s last blog ..“Dita Striptease”

Wow, I’m blogging about this same topic. Will probably post on Friday. I somehow began writing and blogging w/ a focus on ad revenue and generating traffic which is very different from creating community. Lost my voice. Had to reconnect with my passion. Beautiful! Can you pls blog about lessons you learned in sessions about having a successful blog and growing blog? Thanks mama!
theHotness Grrrl´s last blog ..Good Hair: Between a Rock & a Hard Place

While my take away from Blogalicious was more introspective, this is a great recap of the conference by one of the attendees that I met there: http://thesexygeekfiles.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/myblogaliciousweekend/ Hope this helps!

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