7 Blogging Benefits:

Blogging is both exhilarating and rewarding! And yet, it’s also a source of pain and angst. That’s just about as honest as I can be.

There is nothing like the joy of hearing from one of my subscribers how I’ve helped inspire them or helped them face a creative challenge. I’m honored to know I’m helping other designers grow their careers.

Conversely, there is also nothing like the feeling of 7 days passing without having posted any new original content my tribe of followers. Sucks to feel like you’re letting people down. But that’s a part of the responsibility.

And the truth is, if it was easy EVERYONE would be doing it. And the things worth doing in this life are RARELY easy.  But you knew that.

Hence the reward when you hear from people whose lives are better because your blog exists. Because YOU exist. Your content, your ideas, your influence, becomes a part of the global conversation.

There are many reasons why blogging helps creative professionals. Here are 7 of them:

1. Blogging positions you as an Expert. 

2. Accelerates Your Learning. 

3. Get More Consulting Clients. 

4. Improve SEO on your website. 

5. Build a Tribe. 

6. Connect with other Creatives.

7. Blogging is an act of selflessness. 

BONUS REASON: Passive Income Opportunities.

Let’s Break it down:

1. Positioning Yourself as an Expert.

It all starts with writing. Transforming your clients’ business goals into visual branding that moves people into action is your job as a graphic designer. Knowing how to verbally translate those goals in order to sell yourself all starts with writing, and analytical thinking. Being a superb written communicator is the key to being persuasive in your proposals. Your writing skills will only improve as you increase your blogging, and you won’t sound like a rookie when you engage clients for projects.

2. Teaching Accelerates Learning

Writing and teaching on a regular basis will ensure you’re continually learning and honing your skills as a consultant. It also will provide inspiration for your work. Just the act of searching and reading fresh content in your field makes you more relevant and able to tackle the challenges you face day to day as a graphic design professional. Placing yourself in a position of teaching your expertise only increases your own knowledge. Blogging and critical thinking is fundamental to constantly learning and growing faster, as well as expanding your online reach.

3. More Consulting Clients = Increased Revenue.

As you market your work, you’re constantly faced with the challenge of standing out among your thousands of competitors. Maintaining a blog allows you to present your unique perspective and expertise, and it gives your potential customers and colleagues a deeper understanding of your design philosophy, background experience, and point of view. Blogging helps to position you as a thought leader, and gives prospects more confidence to hire you for creative consulting.

4. Improved SEO to attract Prospects and Clients

Google LOVES fresh content. This will give you better search results when someone is searching for your expertise. Through Google Analytics, you can evaluate which search terms are most frequently used by people who find your site, and you can build interesting content that organically incorporates those terms. Maintaining a consistent blogging schedule is one of the best ways to make sure your site is fresh and constantly on Google’s radar for first page results.

5. Building Your Tribe

The money’s in the list. You’ve heard this before, and it’s more true today than any other time in the history of our planet. Maintaining an active social media presence will allow you to grow your email list, and build your tribe of followers. Whether you’re a freelancer or a full-timer, having a large, dedicated following can lead to exciting career opportunities that you’d normally never be exposed to.

6. Connect with Other Creatives

I was very excited to meet Chris Spooner online because of a recent Video series on Logo Design I produced. He reached out to me, and retweeted my video link because of the work I am doing. The doors that can open by blogging and sharing is pretty amazing.

Tip: Be sure to mention certain ‘thought leaders’ in your industry when you send out your tweets. Make a list of these people, locate their twitter handles and add them randomly to your best tweets. It’s one way to be noticed in a crowded field of bloggers!

7. An Act of Selflessness

Unless you’re operating a personal blog that is ALL ABOUT YOU, Blogging for others, and sharing valuable information to your online followers is an act of selflessness. Sharing your experiences with others, helping change people’s lives, looking outward instead of inward, these are all great reasons to start and maintain a blog. Being a part of something bigger than yourself is not to be underestimated, it is to be celebrated.

BONUS REASON: Passive Income Opportunities 

Once your following (your Tribe) has grown into a viable list, you have options of adding additional revenue streams beyond additional ‘hours for dollars’ consulting work. Create Information Products such as online video courses or eBooks to monetize your blog. Once you’ve built up a level of trust, you’ll able to invest time into downloadable products that you can sell. Making money at 3:26 am while you are asleep is something you can never do unless or until you break into the world of passive income. And it all starts with Blogging and building a tribe.

My advise is to start a blog. Yesterday.

Yes it takes time, but slowly you start to get traction, you’ll start to reach and teach people. Your tribe will grow if you are persistent.

Fuck yesterday. Today is a new day to get on the right path. If you want my help setting up a blog, helping you find your voice, or any technical issues capturing email addresses, selecting a domain name, ANYTHING, just reach out to me. Seriously.

I’m here to help. Now get out there and kick some blogging ass. EVOLVE or PERISH.