We are backkkkkk!!! I know you missed me. Let’s face it. I am awesome, the IBA is awesome, and we are all awesome! Haha! Maybe I am not so awesome but we, as a group of bloggers in the IBA, are awesome! We are creative, artsy, techie, crafty, nerdy, food lovers, moms, dads, grandparents, actresses, travelers, expats, photographers, writers, homeschoolers, investors, fitness gurus, and this is awesomeness! I recently took a much-needed hiatus to find my direction with the IBA blog. I was bored with my posts and needed a change.
Last week, it came to me! You guys don’t want to only hear my voice. This is an association of bloggers from around the world. We should all have a part in helping each other to make our blogs awesome. Thus begins a new chapter in the IBA and Let’s Make Your Blog Awesome, A Learning Series for Bloggers 🙂
My first question in our Facebook group was Why did you start blogging? I received a whopping 37 comments covering 14 reasons for starting a blog! Do you need a bit of blogging inspiration? Check out the reasons these bloggers started blogging below and maybe you can relate 🙂
Blogging for Creativity
I needed something to keep the creative juices flowing when I gave up my business and dancing career to follow my husband abroad. Pure and simple. Never knew I would love it! Ashley at Chronicles of A Cold Texan
I needed a creative outlet that I wasn’t getting at my job. I am a makeup artist and I love sharing my knowledge and personal journey (which hasn’t been easy) with others. Tatiana at Own Your Glam
Blogging from Curiosity
In the beginning, I wondered about the process. I thought it would be difficult. I had many ideas. I compiled all ideas, and whatever I was feeling I would write about it. Then I discovered companies that would pay for posts, needless to say, I was hooked. I created 4 blogs to date! Vei at Money Snatcher Mom
Blogging for Friendship
I needed friends. I needed a support network of like-minded people. I needed a platform to vent and to tell my stories. In short, I needed a blog. Olga at The European Momma
Blogging to Help
I started blogging as a means to help others with their running & fitness goals. I also share about my progress towards my goal of running 40 marathons or ultra marathons before my 40th birthday. (I’m currently 35 & running #18 tomorrow. Eek!!) Aimee at Forty by Forty Fitness
I retired early to spend more time with my husband. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I had this idea of a blog for a time to encourage and motivate people that age is just a number. I started in March this year and thought, “Just go for it.” I’m in my mid 50’s but I still think I’m 30! My blog is about informing, motivating and encouraging people to Sizzle Towards 60! I’m still learning and as I’ve found it can take over your life if you aren’t careful. LOL:) I welcome feedback. Sue at Sizzling Towards Sixty
My blogging journey began after helping a few friends out with marketing advice. I realized that digital marketing can be confusing, time-consuming and expensive for small business owners, but they couldn’t afford to not have a marketing strategy. I just love getting on board and watching people and their businesses grow! Sarah at Frame of Sarah
The curiosity to try, my desire to learn, and wanting to share knowledge to help others. This is the reason why I wrote a blog. Nurdin at SenaTechno
I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to use my story to help other women get through cancer. I started a blog and website, which was 100% dedicated to cancer survival. At some point during recovery, I realized that I didn’t want to blog about cancer all of the time. I subscribed to several home and family blogs which I loved, and thought, I can do this too! On April 1, 2013, I became an official blog and business. Holly at The Coconut Head’s Survival Guide
I started blogging in hopes of helping women strengthen themselves, and change families. Plus, I needed an outlet! Neyssa at Rebuilding The Well
I started blogging so I could donate to an orphanage Village of Hope that I support, but I didn’t want to work outside of the house. Kim at Heart of a Philanthropist
Blogging from Inspiration
I started blogging initially… because I was inspired by other bloggers like The Busy Budgeting Mama and House of Rose. I’ve always loved writing, crafting, photography, and social media, so it just seemed like something that would combine them all! I love that it touches on ALL of the things that I enjoy doing…and for a couple of years my blog was more like an online journal. So it’s really cool to read old posts now and see how much my kids and I have grown. Amanda at From J to Z
Blogging for Memories
I started blogging because I wanted to have something for my children and future grandchildren to remember me by. I love to cook, sew and find new ways to do things. Also, I want them to know what I have thought, what I believe, and how I have dealt with things throughout my life. Like other bloggers, though, I have found that blogging is doing things for me that I never thought it would. I am finding a piece of myself that I never realized was there! It is a blessing in my life – even on the tough days! Becky at Becky Has Been Blogging
Blogging for Organization
I started my cooking blog because I wanted to get rid of all my recipes printed on paper and magazine clippings. All my favorite recipes would be one click away. I´m always happy when people comment or ask how something turned out or even when I made a mistake in either writing a recipe or leaving something out. It means this blog has been useful to others, and not only me. Maui at Toronto Cooks
Blogging from Passion
My passion for makeup. Efsun at Mystical Make-up and Beauty
To share my PASSION and ENTHUSIASM for all things food and wine! I started mine on Christmas Day because I didn’t have anything to do. I thought, “How difficult is it to get a blog up and running?” as I am very computer savvy. I had the blog up with my first post in 30 minutes and after my first comment, I had the blogging bug! Joanne at What’s On The List?
I’m going with Joanne here… enthusiasm and passion – but for filming and memories – and wanting to share like Nurdin, help others, and build a community. That goes really slow. I can’t find my audience and I’m also second guessing it all like Meredith at some points. I also share Emily’s good reason for getting better at writing. Ildiko at Nerdy Mom
Blogging to Share
I started blogging to help improve my writing skills and share my food and travel experiences with others. I really love this new venture and am so excited to see where it takes me! Emily at The Hungry Adventurer
My neighbors would often ask what I was doing on a tight budget. My answer was family field trips. Alma at Field Trip Mom
There are less than 2% who invest in the Philippine Stock Market. It’s one way of sharing. JJ at Technimentalist
I wanted to share my experience, hope, and strength with others. Plus I thought it would be fun! Mary at My Life In Progress
I started blogging because strengthening family relationships is one of the most important things we can do in life. I share tips. Kerry at My Random Sampler
Blogging to Teach
Mine is a tutorial blog. I started it because most of the tutorial websites actually do not teach you anything. Either they divert you to some nonsense page or you end up with a virus. Abhijit at Manjoree Graphics
Blogging for Therapy
I started blogging because I’d been reading blogs for years and it was one of my favorite hobbies so I decided to try my hand at it & I love it! It’s my own outlet & stress reliever! Leslie at The Crafty Side of Sarcasm
It started out as therapy. LOL. I’m a homeschooling, married momma, sharing my life and legacy with those that care to read. Lacey at Lacey’s Legacy
I started blogging just before my dad passed away. Not only has it been therapeutic, but it’s fun, addictive & such an awesome way to honor my dad and his memory. Magdaline at Mommy’s Kitchen
Blogging with Time
I started blogging when I lost my job. I tried finding ways to fill my day and keep me sane! So crafting led to blogging. I also share my thoughts and stories occasionally! I have thought of giving up, but each time I keep on going! Zografia at Bisozozo
I started blogging because I left home after university to move to another town for work. I had no friends or family nearby and I wanted to fill the void. I didn’t think I would last this long but I do love it and wouldn’t change it for the world. Myrabev at A July Daydreamer
Blogging for Voice
I started blogging because I think I have something to say. It has been a tough start. I have had a hard time building an audience. I also have had no luck getting published. I am new and need to be patient but it is difficult. I find that I second guess my posts and whether I have any writing talent. On the bright side I learn something new everyday. Meredith at That’s Inappropriate
My blogging journey began when I had this urge within me to express myself and give word to what I feel from inside. Writing a few short poems and my expressions for people I love made me realize that I can really write if I do it religiously. Plus, when I read other blogs, I feel it is such an amazing opportunity to have your own blog address of your choice and connect with people all over the world. So I got one for myself. Geetika at Hues of Me
My reasons for blogging keep changing. I feel I have a voice and originally hoped to make money for blogging to put towards my daughter’s graduate school. Now, I receive such validation from other bloggers, and I am finding such joy from it that I keep going. Janice at Reflections
Blogging to Write
I was thinking about writing a book and had the fine advice that beginning with a blog might be best. That was 2009. I’m still blogging and SOUPS & SIDES FOR EVERY SEASON came out 10 months ago! Alyce at More Time at The Table
I started blogging because I love to read and write… so why not blog and review the books I read? I also like to meet new people so I thought that a blog was a great way to combine all three. And in the two or so months that I have been blogging, it has been! Alisha at Rainy Day Reads
I started blogging because I always wanted to write and finally had time when my daughters became teenagers. I want to entertain, educate and generally just enjoy my readers and the whole process. I am a foodie who eats, travels and lives to write. Lila at SeAsia Eats
I’m blogging my next book (San Diego from A to Z) in response to an annual blogging challenge. I’m hoping to share some stories about my new hometown and give potential visitors a new perspective on San Diego, rather than the same old stuff you find in an average guidebook. Laura at Laura Roberts Books
The love of writing and getting my personality out to the readers. Not so business-minded. Lynda at Financial Transformation Coaching
I started blogging because I like writing, creating something interesting and helpful, and also to help people in language learning and to tell them more about different cultures. Olga at Feru
What Reason Do You Have for Blogging? Leave me a comment below, and stay tuned for the next edition of Let’s Make Your Blog Awesome coming June 5th.
Have a wonderful week wherever you are in the world! Signing off, Tina