When I realised that this was going to be my 300th blog post since I started posting in November 2009, I racked my brains trying to think of doing something that befitted the 300th post.
And I couldn’t come up with anything.
Then I thought…..Phew! 300. That’s quite a lot. When I tot it all up that’s probably some where in the region of 150,000 words or the size of a Harry Potter book.
I still can’t quite believe that since November 2009 I’ve written 300 posts about marketing, business and all things to do with the customer.
So, what I thought I’d do at this milestone (of sorts) is to take a look back and share a few ways that I’ve benefitted from all of this blogging:
- It’s been a great way to keep in touch with my clients and to share a few ideas with them;
- I’ve been asked to speak at numerous events, some paid and others not;
- I’ve received calls and emails out of the blue asking me to help, from some big and small companies;
- It’s helped me write a book;
- It’s helped me think about, set up and organise a new and upcoming event: RARE Forum www.rareforum.co.uk (more on that in a later post); and
- I’ve met some amazing people.
But, it’s not how I have benefitted that is the most important thing for me. The most important thing is what I have learnt along the way. The big lessons for me are:
- Blogging is a great way of sharing and developing ideas;
- It’s not easy to write. Both to write something down and to come up with ideas about what to write about. I don’t consider myself a natural writer and I know I find it hard from time to time. But, I hope my ideas and writing have gotten better over time;
- Blogging has given me an outlet to capture thoughts, ideas and stories. In doing so it makes me look at the world in different ways. I also think that it helps me be more creative and come up with better strategies and ways for doing business for my clients ;
- It’s a great way of meeting people. It’s even better if you are proactive about it.
- But, I think the biggest lesson overall for me was said by Cory Doctorow of Boing Boing and science fiction writing fame when he said: “Content isn’t king…..Conversation is king”. My blog is not about me sitting in front of my laptop jotting down ideas that may or may not help. It’s become a tool that is a conversation starter.
That’s my biggest lessons so far and I look forward to the next 300 posts and the conversations that it allows me to start or participate it.
