Many people have a hard time starting or maintaining a blog because they don’t have a clear focus on what they want their blog to be about or what they hope to accomplish with it. They’re basically blogging without a purpose, and often end up abandoning their blog because they “don’t know what they want to do with it.” I don’t want that to happen to you.
Because the great thing is that when you do have a focus, it helps you write consistently about topics that not only you’re passionate about, but that other people want to read about as well. Today’s assignment asks you to define (or redefine) what you want to be known for – why do you blog and what do you write about?
Today’s assignment
The assignment today is to write a purpose statement for your blog(s). Your purpose statement should answer the following:
- Why do you blog?
- What do you blog about? (be as specific as you can here, especially if you have a niche)
- What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?
The answers may not come easy, but once you do this exercise, you should be able to bring more focus and clarity to your blog as you move forward throughout the month.
Once you complete your purpose statement(s), either post it on your blog or post it in the comments below! If you blog about today’s assignment, please share the link in the comments section!
Note: Please tag your posts with “31bnb” to make them easier to share with us.
This is a tough one but so important!
1. Why do you blog? its a creative outlet to talk about my interests
2. What do you blog about? fashion, beauty retailing and lifestyle specifically in Asia
3. What do you want to become known for through your blog? I want to be recognized for my knowledge about Asian culture and consumers and how that can benefit other companies and brands.
I tried to express that in the about section of my blog, see the link.
Catching up! My purpose statement: http://bit.ly/cdGrAc
I'm glad you've decided to “just do it!”
I'm just starting #iknowimlate, #dontjudeme #heregoes.
Why do you blog?
I've been 'starting' a blog for a year now and I've decided to 'just do it.' In addition to branding myself (iLove, iWrite, iSpeak, iCreate, iServe, iLead, iDon'tAlwaysShare but iTry) I'd like a space to share things that are important to me. I'm also interested in a space to document the vicissitudes (iLike that word) of 2KnowHim.
What do you blog about?
Nothing, yet. I will blog about vicissitudes. Change, growth, transformation is all around and I hope to document the processess, specifically in relation to relationship with God, personal and professional growth and youth-related topics. I enjoy the process of designing programs and implementing new things to existing communities as well as setting foundations and moving out the way so that others can use their assets/gifts/skills/talents.
What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?
I'd like to be an additional resource for communities in relation to building on the assets of the community (especially youth) to create the change that is desired. I'd like to be a go-to person for youth development, youth leadership, youth and community engagement, Christian thought and black male leadership.
Over the first month or so, hopefully a pattern/foundation will be built that's similar to these objectives.
I am starting a new blog and I am running kind of late on my 31bnb assignments, but here it goes:
Why do I Blog?
Aside from building my personal brand, I believe blogging is going to help me give me new ways to document and organize the lessons my career and life bring. As I learn the ropes of my field, I am constantly finding (and sharing) new and innovative ways to move progressive values forward. I hope that my blog will help me to connect with others in my generation of advocates, activists, and political professionals.
What do I blog?
I will blog about my opinions on current issues (mostly politics) with a focus on civil equality, the LGBTQ communities, People I'd like to work for, and People I work against.
What would I like to become known for through my blog?
I would like my blog to help me build a strong professional reputation based on my ideas for making progress in government and new approaches to campaigning.
Better late than never! Took some thinking, but here is the link:
http://wp.me/pLzKG-9h
Now that the medicine fog is wearing off, I can think clearly about this. It was quite a challenge. I consider it incomplete because there is so much more I want to do as an emerging consultant. However, this is a start. I believe I've at least answered all of the questions in statement format.
Songs in the Key of Life was born out of a deep passion for music and the artists who study their craft and pour their souls into their art but still remain on the fringes. I shine the spotlight on underrated soul music artists whose talent is largely overlooked by mainstream media and remains absent from the regular radio rotation. I keep my readers informed about related music news, review albums, and share live performances via my YouTube channel.
This blog also serves as a platform to share best practices in relationship building and fan engagement by showcasing artists who are using social media tools creatively and effectively to interact with their audiences and to promote music. Through blogging, I will establish myself as a go-to consultant for independent and underrated artists looking to strategically use social media to conduct business.
I'm a day behind, but here are my answers to the three questions!
Why do you blog?
* I blog because it’s nice to have my own space where I can share topics that interest me, vent, or share personal experiences with my readers. I started blogging in May 2008 after my mom passed away because I wanted to share thoughts that were in my head and I decided that I wanted to start building my own personal legacy…Whatever that would be.
What do you blog about?
* I use this blog for three purposes: share fun and stylish ways to give back, share my personal journey to live a charitable lifestyle, and to promote great causes. Of course, you’ll get some other stuff mixed in, but this is the gist!
What do you want to become known for through your blog?
* I just want to be known as the fun girl who is changing the world with a stylish hand and an open heart.
Link: http://thefabulousgiver.com/2010/08/what-is-the…
I'll catch up with today's challenge tonight!
Catching up from yesterday:
In general, when I first started blogging, I started close to Thanksgiving when my new boyfriend at the time (he's now my husband) left to go home for the holidays and I was alone for the first time ever and really missing my grandmother. And really pissed about a slum lord who wouldn't fix my toilet.
More specifically:
http://www.ColoredWhite.Blogspot.com: I blog because it is my nature to reflect, to share and to connect. I started Colored White as an online “web log” to just write and keep track of what I was thinking, feeling and doing on any given day. I didn't write it to get anything public out of it and didn't even realize that that COULD be a purpose for a blog. I just started it to write. 5 years later, I still use Colored White as a thought palace. It is an easy place for those wondering what happened to That Girl Bernadette to catch up on what is going on. It is “Colored White” because I'm a “colored girl” (I'm black, from the south, US) and I'm married to a white boy and most of my early blogging especially was about what everyday life for us was like. I don't really want to be known for anything on this blog. Just want folks to be able to “know” me and what my life is about.
http://www.b3HomeDesigns.blogspot.com: This blog is a spinoff of http://www.b3designs.blogspot.com. That is the site where I post all my scrapbooking wares. I'm a published, award winning artist so I wanted to have a portfolio (of sorts) online. I wanted to do a spinoff of that blog and branch out into home decor and DIY fun and from that, b3 HOME designs was born. On b3hd, I blog about home decor. I compile great finds for DIY projects around the web, share my attempts at DIY, share my vintage and collecting obsessions and, generally, talk up my dream come true home. On this blog, I want to be known for combining unique twists on quality DIY that doesn't look totally “crafty and homemade”, I want to be known for having some great vintage collections and I want to be known for inspiring, unique ways to decorate your home.
Thanks Charise! I love your tagline for fuseDC – Don't burn out. Collaborate. It gets to the heart of much of what I care about. Looking forward to following your progress here!
Perfectionism is probably my biggest barrier to regular blogging. The bite size chunks here will hopefully help me bust through that barrier!
Why do you blog?
I blog because I am passionate about nonprofit organizations, particularly visual art museums. I want to explore what makes these cultural institutions special, how they succeed as well as how they fail. Since I do this work every day, it keeps me mindful of why I am pursuing this career in the first place and that I am not perfect, but I try my best.
What do you blog about?
I write about visual art museums methodology, how they engage with community, how they promote themselves in the virtual space. Nonprofit leadership (or the lack thereof) and governance. Great things that nonprofits and individuals are doing.
What do you want to become known for through your blog? (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?
I want to be known as someone who is not afraid to ask the hard questions or confront the challenging issues as it pertains to nonprofits, but also offer solutions. I want to advocate for museums, their workers and their visitors.
http://adriannerussell.wordpress.com/about/
So am I, and I didn't quite follow the directive. But I'm happy with it so far even if I'm making newbie mistakes. I'm glad to be in this process with y'all
http://www.commutiny.org.uk/about-me/
I am sooo late, but here it is!
http://www.lolagetslife.com/2010/08/lola-gets-l…
I'm moving tomorrow, so it's been a crazy day. My purpose statement is partially addressed in my about page (http://www.medicineforchange.com/about/), but as I”m still in the process of thinking it through, I made a blog post about it too: http://www.medicineforchange.com/31bnb-day2-pur…
This was a great exercise to think through as a new blogger…
Why do I blog? I blog to share information, opportunities and inspiration with people who want to color outside the lines and live a creative life. Whether it’s work… being a creative entrepreneur or creating a vision for your professional career; or play… finding the space in your life to incorporate more creative experiences and outlets – I want to empower, encourage and inspire people to live the life they truly want and equip them with the resources and tools they need to make it happen.
What do I blog about? Resources and tips for creative entrepreneurs, books reviews, exploring creative outlets, interviews with creative entrepreneurs and people doing inspiring work in a variety of fields, my creative outlet, incorporating a socially responsible lifestyle into your creative ventures, inspiring quotes and talks, and exploring the world around us for inspiration.
What do I want to become known for through my blog? I want to empower and inspire people to live a creative life that truly reflects their passions and interests. As part of that, I would like to be known as a go-to person who works with people one-on-one to assist them in cultivating their creative dream – in either work or play or both. I also want to highlight all of the beautiful, creative work being done by people across the world that reflects their passion, talent or culture.
http://www.wyokemia.com
I am still finding my voice in the blogging word but I think I know what direction I want to take this in. This is my first step towards defining my focus. Thanks for the assignment. http://image001.wordpress.com – Miles
I've updated mine as well. It's brief, but it helps. http://jeffstern.wordpress.com/about/
forgot to post my “about me” section which covers some of what we're talking about here: http://elledub08.wordpress.com/about/
Launched blog and Purpose Statement!
I'm feeling very positive about this challenge…
http://creatingglobalopportunity.wordpress.com/
I wrote a purpose when I initially started my site:
I have too many interests and so much work scattered all over the web. I needed a place to consolidate it all.
I currently read, think, and write about:
architecture, focusing sometimes on diversity and professional practice issues
community design
raising kids
personal finance
natural hair care
This is also posted as my “about” page here http://katherinerw.com/this-site/
This still pretty much sums up what I want to do. I think I need a way to organize it all once i have more posts.
why i started: in addition to consilidation, career advancement, to publicize great information, to keep up my writing skills.
what do I want to be know for: a great resource and knowledgeable about issues that are important to me.
Hi Rosetta, 6 minutes late but here is the post! http://bit.ly/dtWapS
This was a hard one for me, thanks for challenging me! I'm pretty sure I'll be evaluating my purpose statement again.
Look forward to Day 3.
Grown-Up Girl Scout. Rabble Rouser. Mentor. Strategist.
As I launch my consulting business, I'll be blogging to help clients and prospective clients meet organizational goals and represent their brands through effective communications and management strategies.
I want to be known for having the knowledge and expertise to help leaders in philanthropy, government and business — those trying to make the world a better place — communicate within and across their sectors, cultures and experiences. I also want to be a resource for young professionals and emerging leaders. My blog will cover strategic communications, communications planning, identity and reputation, multicultural communications, leadership, public policy, politics and pop culture.
Post #2 done at http://www.witch-ways.blogspot.com/ (read all about why in my post from yesterday) and now I'm off to recommend this challenge to a fellow blogger. Thanks!!
It's nice to see that you are blogging about the structure of nonprofit organizations. I'll try to keep up with your posts and comment when I can since it's a topic I am interested in. Good luck!
My blog post on today's assignment http://fusedc.org/2010/08/02/blog-challenge-day-2/
Why do you blog?
I read an article, I believe it was your article Rosetta, about the benefits of blogging to advance in your career. After finishing my MBA, I’ve had trouble finding a new job and thought it would be a great opportunity to get my name out there since nonprofit management wasn’t in my background. I wanted to create a “personal brand” that here about so often.
What do you blog about?
What I wanted to blog about and what I end up blogging about have become two different things. What I want to blog about is my experience with the nonprofits I have relationships with and volunteer with. What it has become is “how am I going to get a job in the NP field” and I’m not sure how to get focused or if I should what I actually blog about.
What do you want to become known for through your blog? (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?
This is a good question because I hadn’t really thought about it like that. Before answering this question, I wrote down my strengths/specialties and how it may tie in and benefit a nonprofit organization. What I want to be known for is a person who has expertise in program management, event planning and writing/journalism for nonprofit organizations. I want people to come to my blog to see what and where are the event “happenings” in this industry. I love going to events, planning events and managing programs. If I could be the “go-to” person here in the Chicagoland area, I’d be extremely grateful and happy.
Jaime
http://jaimewesley.wordpress.com/
Why do you blog? I blog to strengthen my writing skills, meet and hopefully network with other young people in Baltimore who are passionate about making a difference, to stay current with local nonprofit news, community youth work news, track my professional journey and build my professional brand.
What do you blog about? I blog about my experiences as a young nonprofit leader and community youth worker in Baltimore City.
What do you want to become known for through your blog? I want to become known for being a young nonprofit leader who inspires youth to lead, create and takes action to bring about positive change in the City of Baltimore.
shannon marshall
http://www.shannmmarsh.blogspot.com
I'm really glad you mentioned the importance of avoiding perfectionism. The great thing about having a purpose statement is that you can continue to tweak it as you get clearer about what you want to to do with your blog. It's a working document!
my blog mission statement is to help singles find happiness and for God's sake a date! Its a work in progress but I think this was a great exercise. Not only to find out why I blog but if every post is congruent to what that statement is. I want not only to help singles but to become seen/known as an expert or authority. Its hard to put all those goals into one sentence but I'm going to keep working at it.
yeah i keep thinking my response was too short!
1. Why do you blog?
To build a brand, to get people talking, to get people thinking, to get people to wake up.
2. What do you blog about? (be as specific as you can here, especially if you have a niche)
Nonprofits, fundraising, jobhunting, tapping into your motivation or lack thereof, standing up to bullies in the workplace, marketing
3. What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?
Someone who can help turn the nonprofit world upside down.
Why do you blog? I blog as a way of connecting to other people around issues I care about. I also blog to keep myself up-to-date on news and politics. It's worked pretty well on both sides
I blog about women's issues (particularly womanism/black feminism), black culture and society, politics, and pop culture.
What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)? I want to be known for both challenging and influencing the ways that black women are portrayed in the media, and for highlighting the role people of color play in social media and pop culture.
This assignment was amazing. I couldn't believe how the purpose flowed as I sat down to type about it. I can't wait to expand on this and improve what I'm writing about!
http://interpretingslavelife.blogspot.com/2010/…
1. Why do you blog?
I like writing and needed a way to stay updates on what’s going on it my field or graphic/web design.
2. What do you blog about? (be as specific as you can here, especially if you have a niche)
I try to focus writing on about blogging, freelancing, creative things that I see and showing my work. I do write about other things but I working on finding my niche.
3. What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?
In real life family and friends always come to me with their tech questions. So I want to translate that into my blog.
Purpose Statement
I think this is more of a tagline but it what I am currently using: iDesign, iCreate. Learn about things iLove as iBlog.
My Purpose Statement:
http://madelynteresa.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/p…
Here is my assignment…http://aneldagrove.tumblr.com/post/894309225/why-do-i-blog
I am concerned that I am being too vague.
Day 1 was easier than we thought…
http://www.4riise.org/2010/08/new-school-year-n…
Day 2 we loved!
http://www.4riise.org/2010/08/day-2-of-blog-cha…
Thank you Rosetta for this life line!
RIISE
Why do you blog?
Why do I blog? Hmm, that’s an awfully good question. I began my blog back in 2007 during my Junior year of college and now, as I attempt to revitalize it, I’ve been contemplating how I want to utilize this blog. Truth be told, I want to use it as 1) a means keeping my family and friends who are scattered across the globe up-to-date on my life, 2) addressing contemporary social justice issues, 3) sharing my poetry/artwork/cooking.
What do you blog about?
Currently, I blog about my life and sometimes incorporate social justice themes. However, I would like for this to change and use it as a catalyst to do what I stated above.
What do you want to become known for through your blog?
I want to be known in blogging circles as someone who is 1) using my blog for the betterment of humanity, 2) encourages others to take action & 3) has a unique voice.
ah well, that was already done: http://amandamichelle.wordpress.com/whats-in-a-…
i'm thinking it might be time for a little bitty tweak, though, given this: http://amandamichelle.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/…
any thoughts?
http://businessforgoodnotevil.blogspot.com/2010…
Yay!
Great assignment! I decided to just write & post what first came up for me, rather than wait for an hour block to craft a perfect purpose statement. I've got to avoid those perfectionist tendencies!
On my blog: http://www.rootingnonprofits.com/blog/rooting-n…
Why do I blog? Writing about my experiences in nonprofits helps me make better sense of what is working in nonprofits and what is not. I’m passionately committed to the kinds of social changes that nonprofits are trying to make in this world, and I can’t stand watching us squander our time and resources on anything that is not our best possible work.
What do I blog about? I am most interested in how we structure nonprofit organizations – how does our organizational structure help us or hurt us from reaching our mission? I’m disappointed that the Executive Director leadership model is the best we’ve come up with, and I’m intrigued by other leadership models that spread leadership across a broader set of people. I also love all things that help rejuvenate us as nonprofit workers, and all things that help us see the interconnections between our intertwined movements.
What do I want to become known for through my blog? I would love to be a source for folks looking for new ideas and new energy about how we can be more effective in being the change we wish to see in the world.
Here is my blog post about this assignment. http://npgold.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/nonprofi…
Here's what I wrote for the “About” page for my blog:
About a year ago, I decided to get married. When I began researching what it means to take that step and become a wife, I was sorely disappointed that most of what I could find didn’t address the act of getting married as a feminist choice, but as a consumerist one. Very quickly, I started seeing my worth as a bride was equal to how much money I could spend on one lavish day, and that being engaged is more about preparing for that day rather than the marriage and commitment that comes after it. I began feeling pigeon-holed in certain hetero-gender-normative roles, and I decided to start writing about it. Since this past January, I have been writing a blog on certain feminist issues I’ve noticed since deciding to get married. The blog also looks at female-related issues from my past (I was raised Shia Muslim), from performance (which I have an MFA in) and in the world of nude art modeling (which is how I met my fiance).
I was sort of worried about the assignments and how I would work them into the flow and vibe of my blog but day 2 has found me happily typing away in response to the assignment. Here's my take on a purpose statement.
Of course I have a purpose in mind. Purpose: Just for Fun http://thecandyshoppe.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/…
I believe I created a purpose statement when I wrote my profile (under “Behind the Panache”). Any thoughts? Is it clear that I want to become known as a subject matter expert on personal branding within the corporate world?
Why do you blog? To empower and inspire readers in the area of mental and spiritual growth.
What do you blog about? All topics related to Empowerment, Inspiration and Life Coaching.
What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)? To be a leading voice in the area of women's issues of empowerment and inspiration.
Why do you blog? To keep myself fresh on the latest-and-greatest in non-profit fundraising, communications & marketing. To bring readers a view of the world's research, opinions, blogs and data through non-profit eyes. Hopefully helping them find more donors.
What do you blog about? Anything relative to fundraising, that I think readers may find useful – from advertising exec interviews, guest opinions, online tools and software to fundraising competitions, creative campaigns and free webinars.
What do you want to become known for through your blog? Being recognized as a thought leader in helping non-profits make their case, steward and solicit donors and engage constituents.