About NY Bloggers Meetup Group

The NY Bloggers Meetup Group

We are a diverse group of folks who either love to blog or just love the whole social media scene. We get together monthly to talk about our blogs, blogging in general, social media, or whatever else is on the radar.

We are not professionals, although our esteemed organizer got her job by way of her blog. Some of us blog for fun, some for business, and still others to say something that just needs to be said.

If you are not on the blogging scene, well then, what are you waiting for?

From my blog buddy, Jason Kaneshiro of The Blog Herald, 10 Reasons Why You Should Start Your Own Blog:

1. Everyone knows more than they realize about something. I'm convinced that just by living, most people gather enough information about some subject that could easily become a blog. Someone who sits in front of the television for eight hours a day after work could blog about the shows they enjoy. Sometimes the more obscure subjects make for the most fascinating blogs.

2. Sharing information makes the Internet a better place. The Internet is the largest repository of information and electronic media ever created, and one that's an open playing field. Literally anybody can get a website started and donate what they know to the world.

3. Relatively speaking, it doesn't cost much. In a previous post for the Blog Herald, I pointed out how many things about blogging are free. While some costs will inevitably be incurred for hosting and Internet access, blogging is still a cheap hobby - the largest investment is time. Meanwhile, how much is that new set of golf clubs?

4. Blogging can broaden your mind. We each have closely held opinions and see the world in our own particular way. Most of us don't regularly have our world views tested because we come into contact with a limited set of people. Putting your thoughts online opens you up to an entire world of opinion. I feel it's a good thing to be exposed to different points of view - you may even reconsider your own.

5. A large part of blogging is just showing up. Because of the low barrier to entry, a large number of blogs sprout on a whim and whither away shortly thereafter. With some determination, discipline, and dedication, you can rise above the stereotypical one post a month average and gain a readership. Just by writing regularly and consistently you already have one up over the rest.

6. You already leave comments and reviews on various websites that aren't yours. If you write more than three comments or reviews a week on someone else's website, why are you handing your opinions and writing to someone else? By starting a blog, you can retain ownership of your thoughts and words.

7. Bloggers are interesting people. There are definitely some amusing personalities out there. A big part of blogging is regularly reading other blogs, through which you get to know a little about the writers behind them. Many I'm proud to rub shoulders with.

8. You can earn money. Most of us will never become "probloggers", but even small amounts add up over time. Since the cost to get started is pretty low, the road to profitability is definitely shorter.

9. Blogging can be fun. If you like challenges, can think long term, and appreciate the concept of small, daily amounts of effort adding up over time, blogging can be a highly satisfying endeavor.

10. You'll learn stuff. Besides the technical web knowledge, you can practice writing great copy, learn how to deal with difficult people, train yourself to focus on the long term, and improve your time management skills. You're also likely to learn more about the very subjects you considered yourself an expert on, by reading other blogs - or even through comments on your own blog, pointing out mistakes you've made!

So, there you have it! Head over to Blogger or Wordpress and join the revolution.

You have something to say, and dammit, it needs to be said!

~The Assistant Blogger, Carolyn