blog boardWhy Blog? This is a question I have been asked over and over again. I was asked this question again at an event held at the Avari Towers in Karachi called “Are You Online”.

A wonderful discussion with a very attentive and involved audience was inspiring indeed. In this blog post, I have attempted to answer a few questions asked that day in a bit more detail. For now, these are the six (6) points I believe really make ‘blogging’ a very powerful alternative to main-stream media:

1) Expression:

My initial and spontaneous response to such a question has always been: to express yourself! There are people, people like me, who find relief in writing our thoughts down. It allows us our space to think and respond to challenges we face every day. To problems and issues that continue to perturb us.

The best part about blogging is that there is no thumb-rule about writing styles. You can write the way you want. No questions asked.

2) Instrument of Change:

I have always believed that if you seek to bring about a positive change – you must speak up. No, the politicians will not provide you a platform to come forward under the circumstances that prevail. But yes they may notice your blog. This has been a situation I can actually relate to.

Writing consistently and believing in yourself will yield the right results. Keep the right tone, use the right words and your message could become very powerful. My article ‘Expel US Ambassador Patterson’, for example, was discussed on television!

For your opinion to be heard, Blog!

3) Reach:

Blogging is the fastest way to have your opinion published and have it spread. Yes it is. Especially with ‘WordPress’, a blog-engine so perfectly fine-tuned that a topic you write about may well be amongst the top search results sooner than you would expect. Try thinking a few years down the line when you would have to have all the knowledge of web-design and web-services to start publishing writings of your own.

4) Earning Online:

Running a commercial blog is probably the easiest way to have some extra cash in your pocket. Third-party advertising services such as ‘Google AdSense’ have made it possible for everyone to earn online.

It is entirely up to the blogger to decide whether he or she wishes to blog ‘commercially’ and it is recommended to follow a certain code of ethics. You don’t want to appear so overtly commercial that your readers stop trusting your opinion. Be honest with your opinion because it is always the readers of your blog who will earn you the money.

5) Communicate/Network:

Blogging allows you to communicate, network and connect with new people and professionals who might share the same industry. It allows you to discuss ideas and opinion with your audience.

The blogosphere in Pakistan is a closely-knit family of its own kind. Nobody would have imagined people would make great friends sitting with a laptop or desktop computer at work or at home.

6) Leadership:

When you write and when you publish your content regularly, whether online or in print, you have readers and the people you can inspire become regular followers of your opinion. This grants you a sort of ‘leadership’ on a certain segment of your readers. You never know you could become an ‘icon’ for many of your followers.

Social Media today has changed lives dramatically around the world and we Pakistani’s are not behind either! So, log on to WordPress.com to get yourself a personal blog, Sign up for an account on Twitter for micro-blogging and get yourself rolling online!

For any help, comments and queries, feel free to contact me at ammar [at] ammar360.com