Photo Credit: Kristina B@Flickr

Lately, when I talk to other professional colleagues, I mention that I have a blog.

Eyebrows raise.

When I encourage others to begin blogging – mouths twitch.

Of course, not everyone blogs. And, certainly they don’t have to if they don’t feel the need. I’m addressing those who are interested in adding a context of relevance to their current (or changing) careers.

I’m speaking to the frustrated few with loads of ideas and want ways to implement them.

Everyone blabs about how college students and professionals alike should start a blog. Start a blog to gain online presence. Start a blog to establish credibility. 

Nonetheless, that still doesn’t give much credence to would-be bloggers and the blog-curious.  They want to. They think they should. Yet, a few reasons keep them from taking that first step toward their computer: 

 It’s an online diary…

That’s fair. It can be an online diary. Yet, that’s like saying when you go outside, you can only run. When entering the blogosphere, your blog can do anything you want (and be anything you want).

There’s no over riding commandment that stipulates you must bare intimate secrets for the world to read.

Seriously. It’s your playground. Talk about something that interests you. And, if you don’t know where to start, read something that will give you food for thought.

I won’t have anything to say…

All those ideas buzzing in your 3 pound mass and yet nothing to say? If you are interested in the following:

• Grooming your writing abilities
• Learning
• Conceptualizing ideas
• Rounding out opinions

There should be plenty to say. Placing your thoughts into plain view for mass consumption is the real fear. The blog-curious worry that their ideas might not be interesting or great enough. Yet, if you want to create space and opportunity to reciprocate a flowing current of creativity- blogging will be a great tool for you.

And, just like any other tool, you can use blogging to shape your voice, hone your ideas and tune your (own) words.

It’s for geeks…

Oh, goodness. Are you kidding?! Do I have to address this one? Were you the type to beat up on the kids who got A’s on their spelling tests?

There’s no point…

If you don’t understand the meaning behind discussion or circulating your ideas - then, you are right. There is no point. Also, oddly enough, some people don’t see the validity in unfamiliar ventures if the reward isn’t inherently obvious. 

And, the risks of blogging are a little more than ambiguous on the surface (and the rewards are distinctively abstract).

You risk nothing if you melt into the background.

Truthfully, if you aren’t interested in risk , you probably have very little invested in your career (maybe, even in your life).  

Therefore, don’t blog at your own risk.