Why do you blog?

I started blogging many years ago on a personal blog. I had initially started it as practice for a blog I was participating in at work. But the blog became a way for me to share what the kids were up to, with our family and friends since we don't live near any of them. But I saw the benefit of the blog in business from the one that the credit union had. It was a way for them to connect with their members... and the members seemed to really embrace the new line of communication.

So, it was a natural decision to start one to help promote my stores. However, my blog kind of took on a life of it's own. While I still use it occasionally to talk about things I'm doing for the store... more often, I'm just sharing anything that comes up that I feel someone else might want to hear. Mostly things I do with the kids. After all, as a mom of two, this is what I like to read about on other mom blogs. I enjoy new ideas - or different spins on old ideas. I enjoy hearing what other children the same age as mine are up to. I also enjoy reading about creative processes that others go through.

The things that I enjoy reading about are the things that I write about. The things that I enjoy doing are the things that I write about. So often I come across blogs where it feels like it's a chore for them to keep regular postings. It is my opinion that a blog isn't serving it's purpose if it's too hard to find the time to write it. Thoughts should flow - not be forced. And if this means that they flow just once a month - that's fine too.

I am, by no means, and expert on blogs. But here's my advice if you are starting a blog to further your business;

• Be real - if someone is reading the blog, it's because they want to know more about you.
• Don't force it - if you have nothing to really say, then don't. I think it might actually be worse forcing a post. The idea is to get the reader to return to your blog - a forced blog entry most likely won't bring them back.
• Share details - with pictures is the best. Especially for an online handmade arts business, using pictures is important. You are trying to entice people into loving your work as much as you do. This is difficult with words, but easier with pictures.

That's all I have for now as the kids have now distracted me and my thoughts :) While I'm not sure that a lot of people read my blog... I know the right people do. I seem to have met a supportive group of people, many of my customers have mentioned that they enjoy reading about what I'm up to and I have received sales as a direct result of the blog - thanks to my wonderful customers who have shared with me how they have found me.

I love reading new blogs and I encourage everyone to have a blog. It's a great outlet. But it may not be for everyone. And if it's not for you, that's fine. There are other ways of promoting yourself. Stop beating yourself over not having the time to do it and focus your energy on something you enjoy doing... because that's bound to be more successful than something that is a chore.