Image from citnaj via flickr
1. Learn through teaching
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned through teaching others is that you actually learn more teaching than you do being taught. Imagine you’re one of two people; A professor in a course or a student. The professor has to be completely prepared, understand the course materials, and be ready to teach, the student, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be prepared, and is only graded in the end by what they can retain. Who gains more knowledge in the process? The professor, because the professor has more accountability and responsibility.
We learn by teaching.
-James Howell-
There are many reasons to start a blog, but through writing and teaching others you’re indirectly going to learn more about the subject you’re writing about, and in doing so you’ll become smarter about the topic of your blog.
2. Networking
I like to write about personal finance, money management, and specific tools such as Roth IRA or mutual fund investment tools. It’s something that I enjoy and do as a hobby, but it also means that I get to discuss it with other bloggers and folks in the industry. This means that I get to discuss my hobby with folks who are out there making it happen in the industry which makes me learn even more.
It was pretty cool the other day when on Twitter I got a message saying that David Bach, a 7 time new york times best seller, was following me! If I didn’t have a blog I wouldn’t have the relationship I now have to a new york times best selling author. Without an online presence you won’t be able to connect with others who are actively engaged online in your field of study.
3. Place to market your resume
By having a blog with plenty of backlinks you’ve got power to get indexed in Google for certain search terms. If you’re a real estate analyst you can literally create a page on your blog with the keywords “real estate analyst for hire” and rank well in Google since it’s a longtail keyword. Your resume might get more exposure from Google than being buried under the massive piles of applicants on job boards and when a potential employer sees your portfolio and demonstrated knowledge via your blog you’re going to have an edge.
4. Control your online presence
You can control what people find when they look for you online. I’ve heard of some companies not even interviewing applicants because they don’t control their online presence. For my generation, Generation Y, if you don’t exist online, you’re not real, it’s that simple. Ranking for your own name really isn’t all that hard and by doing so you’ll impress a potential employer and have say on what they find when they Google your name.
5. Learn a skill
Blogging in itself is a skill that entails many different qualities. You’ll learn to become a better writer, become better with technology, become a better marketer, and have more networking experience. These are all valuable things that only add to your arsenal of abilities which make you a more qualified employee or experienced business owner.
6. Create a side income
You’re most likely going to have college debt, so why not chisel away at it? The costs associated with running a blog are incredibly low and for $100 a year and you can easily be running a top notch blog. The thing that matter most in your blog is content anyways, not how fancy the site is and if it runs adobe flash.
Remember, your blog doesn’t have to go off on a tangent and express your inner most thoughts, all it has to do is be informative about a subject matter. For example, if you’re studying physics, you can create a website about great physicists, new topics in physics, and even create a network of physicists so that you can more easily collaborate and share ideas. The possibilities are endless.
If you don’t necessarily enjoy the topic of your studies (you should probably choose a new degree), you can write about a hobby, or even the community you live in. You also don’t have to show your face so you can do it under a pen name while gaining experience. If your blog becomes successful and you decide you want to reap the benefits of being known, you could then expose yourself as the blogger.
If you’re currently a college student I strongly urge you to consider adding a blog to your to do list. If you’re serious about gaining contacts in your field, marketing yourself, and learning more about your industry a blog is the perfect place to start.
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Twitter: Jajodia_Saket
says:
I will tell not only collage or school students, “everyone” should blog… Blogging is the best way to gain knowledge about anything…
Saket Jajodia recently posted..How To Host Files On 110MBcom
I think you’re right, since college students tend to have more time than money it could be a great investment in themselves and their future.
Waikiki Beach Bum recently posted..pacific-beach-hotel-logo
Twitter: sujeed
says:
Thanks for a wonderful article..ya Blogging is perfect way to improve yourself by teaching others..Now blogging has changed to a religion…Blogging helps us to stand in our own legs..
Twitter: theglaringfacts
says:
I started my site a little late, I wish I could’ve done it while being in university. It would’ve been very rewarding, but also so much work! You’ve made very good compelling reasons why one should start a site, have you checked out edublogs.org? They kind of go on the same argument! Great article!
祝福博主新年快乐。
I knew about blogging when I was already working. During my college time, blogging was not a common word yet and how I wish I could have started blogging as early as that. I did not even remember anyone talking about internet when I was in college… LOL!
shaxx recently posted..Yogi Bear from Cik Peah
I’ve just finished a degree and I wish I had started Blogging at the beginning of it instead of the end. Don’t waste anymore time and get yourself a blog. If you really suffer from a cash flow.issue then use one of the many completely free Blogging sites like Blogger.com
Okay i’m not in college because I’m only 16. But I do agree with the reasons you wrote about! Blogging is just to cool not to do! Great article!
Gabriel709 recently posted..Funny Song – Julian Smith – Im Reading A Book
for me i blog to run away from studying ” i’m kidding” you hit the point we have lots of free time to blog and can run more than one blog and make agood return.
subzero525 recently posted..تحميل متصفح الجوجل كروم احدث اصدار 2011
Twitter: rdgubaten
says:
I do agree with you. I consider the internet as an another learning institution. Not bad for a college student to blog.
Rose recently posted..Un-Procrastinate Your Life
Twitter: danfresnourban
says:
Blogging has the potential to help every one, at least a little. It can help with self reflection, learning, and writing skills, which have an impact on the rest of our lives. For example, lets say you had a problem with a purchase at a large retail store, if you were unable to resolve it at the store, you might write a letter our email to the headquarters. If your letter is well written, you are more likely to get resolution.
danfresnourban recently posted..Grampas Sunday Dinner
Twitter: my5newfriends
says:
Ryan,
Your article resonates with me. I love reasons 5 & 6. Since I set up my blog a few months ago, I have learned a lot; still have lots to learn. Would you mind sharing in another article ways to make money via blogging? I’d love to hear your insights.
Thanks
Adam Morgan recently posted..Be Engaged
Twitter: Paintballblogin
says:
I completely agree, but, most college students don’t want to spend more time doing more reading/writing than they have to unless they enjoy it. For me its kind of two fold, but definitely goes along the lines of the post.
First, every day in the blogosphere i learn more than i have about blogging in the last 5 years, and I mean every day. Second, I get to write about my experiences that I enjoyed, write about something i love, AND possibly earn some money on my blog all at the same time, why spend time playing a video game when you can be “earning money”
dyepaintballfanatic recently posted..Dye Dm11 paintball gun show-review
Twitter: timmywoods700
says:
Yes you are absolutely right . I agree the most important points of this post. That are 4th and fifth point . Control your online presence and Learn a Skill , These two points are always good for students
I knew about blogging when I was already working. During my college time, blogging was not a common word yet and how I wish I could have started blogging as early as that.
I’d only suggest blogging if there is a passion for it. It’s easy for a college student to read all of the blog money making success stories and spend too much time doing that rather then studying, socializing, enjoying being in college, etc.
I agree that there is definitely a lot to be learning from blogging and it can be a great opportunity.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/blogtowkay
says:
Personally I think it is true that blogging is a great platform to control your own online reputation and at the same time you can showcase your resume. In fact, working adults should also begin to consider the business of blogging so as to work out a good strategy to establish an online footprint. Another great way to gaining control of your own online presence is to register your names using Facebook and Twitter.
Twitter: Paintballblogin
says:
To add onto my earlier comment, and the other in the mean time. I’m not sure if it is because I am in college that I am very passionate about what i write, and how my writing skills are perceived. Yes, i am not a full time writer, or have a degree in English, but I enjoy doing it, and that’s what drives me.
dyepaintballfanatic recently posted..Horrible- 5 arrested on suspicion of paintball attacks on children- elderly
Totally agree with this post. I’ve been encouraging my 18 year old to start a blog or website to earn some extra income for when she starts her degree course – since she’s doing media it makes sense from a learning perspective too! She hasn’t started it, (maybe I’m nagging to much), but it’s such a good way to earn some money. Hopefully she will listen to me eventually.
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Twitter: iroko247
says:
Everyday in college is an event filled day, so you will have what to blog about and if you decide to blog about your school, you can sure you will have a ready audience…I have blogged about class before…my fellow classmate would comment and say what they could not say in class…
Iroko recently posted..I am In Need
I’m a college student. I really enjoys reading this article.
bitoyz0008 recently posted..Post Your Property Ads Here List Philippines Property for sale or rent
I like what you had to say, but I have to take a bit of an issue with your final point about supplementing income. Yes, it’s possible to make money doing this. However, it’s not easy and there are relatively few bloggers who are able to generate enough traffic to actually make even the cost of hosting back when they run their own blogs.
pfhc recently posted..6 Career Strategies the Experts Use to Build Careers
I think for students definitely, blogging could be a good way of earning a little bit of side income. Students, depending on their chosen subject of study can offer a fresh perspective on topics, or just talk about what it is to be a student in these tough times. Besides, they can squeeze a bit of time in to blog every now and then. I think its a good tip you have here.
Lara recently posted..Helping Your 8th Grade Math Student
Twitter: danfresnourban
says:
Another reason to maintain a blog while in college is improved writing skills and networking. It is likely that you will meet like minded people and possible that you will forge friendships with them that can help you transition into your career field.
Dan Martin recently posted..Focus Cultural Strengths To Improve College Success
Twitter: mikefresnourban
says:
In some ways blogging can provide a platform to test your ideas and closely held values. By putting your ideas out there, you are subjecting them to a type of ‘peer review’. You may find yourself changing your believes or adopting new ideas.
Mike recently posted..Online Colleges Are Not Created Equal
Twitter: debtnational
says:
I can’t agree more with you about earning an extra income. The possibilities of being broke in college and getting extra cash is great. I agree, that everyone in college should learn some form of Internet Marketing.
Edward Culligan recently posted..Counseling Debt Services
It is so interesting how college students can use blogs to establish not only a credible online presence, but also invest their energy and knowledge into something creative that will reap them so many benefits. During undergrad, I was incredibly interested in blogs written by young professionals seeking to launch careers in business–among diverse other topics, their online blogs and articles taught me many nuances about investing and finance, and introduced me to many different points of view that I was not exposed to through my classes, helping me in real life.
julia recently posted..Equities.com Sector Coverage: Stocks Fall Lower Ahead of Fed Speech
Twitter: thepennyhoarder
says:
Yep, I think you’re right on Ryan. The other advantage is that it can really help you practice your writing skills…
Kyle recently posted..Weird Business #6: Make Money Cricket Farming
Interesting concept. All the points mentioned above are great reasons why college students should start a blog. The side income is the biggest bonus in addition to learning a new skill.