7 Reasons Why I Would Still Blog (Even If Nobody Noticed)

I've been blogging since 2003. In that time I have logged over 2,000 posts, generated tens of thousands of comments, and pretty much built an international brand on the back of my blogging efforts.

But here's the most important thing I have learned from eight years of thinking about writing every single day: Blogging produces massive benefits even if nobody is there to read what you write.

Below are just seven of the reasons I would blog even if I had no following:

1. Blogging makes me think more. In an effort to create content for a blog that is succinct, reveals new ways to look at common things, and applies simple solutions to seemingly complex problems, I believe I now think about business much differently.

2. Blogging makes me listen differently. When I engage in conversation or listen to radio interviews, I listen with a writer's ear and often find my head filling up with blog post ideas by simply listening to others discuss sometimes unrelated subjects.

3. Blogging forces me to practice writing. The fact that I practice writing daily has made me a better writer. It doesn't mean I'm the world's greatest writer, but doing something so often makes you better at it -- it's hard to deny that. Of course, writing publicly like this also allows for community reaction to help you get better faster.

4. Blogging allows me sell with clarity. I write like I speak, and often I write to sell an idea or even a very specific tactic. It's amazing, but I find that clearly stating idea pitches in writing has improved my ability to quickly articulate them in a selling or interviewing setting. It's like you build up this reserve bank of pre-programmed discussion points.

5. Blogging creates my presentations. This one follows nicely from my previous point, but I'll also add that working through blog posts on meatier topics -- those that readers weigh in on -- has produced some of my best presentation material to date.

6. Blogging keeps me learning. The discipline required to create even somewhat interesting content in the manner I've chosen requires that I stay on top of what's hot, what's new, what's being said, and what's not being said in order to find ways to apply it to the world of small business.

7. Blogging gives me a test bed for ideas. I've made some incredible discoveries about some of my ideas based on the immediate, and sometimes passionate, responses I get from readers. I'm currently writing a book that reveals a business principle tested out on my blog.

So, if you're one of those business owners who has been blogging but doesn't know if it's worth it, or if you've held off because you don't think anyone would want to read your blog, take heart. I hope this post encourages you to keep your eye on the long-term benefits and to keep at it.