Every since attending Write This Run last week I’ve been reflecting on the purpose of this blog. What started as a record of my training for the London Marathon 2012 has become much more than that for me. Writing a blog has now become part of ‘what I do’ and ‘who I am’. But why do I do it?
As a record of my journey
The reason that I started my blog remains my primary reason for writing it. To record my journey from couch potato to marathon runner and fitness enthusiast. We all have days when we think we’re getting no-where fast, I’m certainly not immune to them. So it’s great to have this record of my journey that I can look back on and realise how far I’ve come.
I love recording my lessons learnt from the various things I’ve done – they’re really useful posts for me to look back on at times when I’ve perhaps lost a bit of focus or just need a little reminder of why I’m doing what I’m doing.
So I guess what I’m saying is that primarily, my blog is for me!
To share and connect
That said, one of my favourite aspects of blogging is interacting with other likeminded people. Since this blog started I have received hundreds of comments from people, tweets on Twitter and Facebook comment.My blog has helped me connect with people that I would never have had a chance to interact with otherwise.
The running and fitness community is a brilliant place, full of people willing to offer support and advice. Through my blogging I am without a doubt better informed and have an international support network to call on if I need to. That’s pretty cool in my eyes.
To inform and inspire
Not that long ago I was overweight, unhappy with my body and fitness levels. Then I decided to do something about it and I haven’t looked back. I honestly believe that if I can do it, then anyone can. I’m no-one special, but I am determined to get to where I want to be. If my posts can inspire just one other person to decide to take charge of their body and fitness then, well, that’s just fantastic.
As a way to get free stuff??
One of the sessions at Write This Run last week was very focussed on working with brands and PR companies. Otherwise known as “how to get free stuff through blogging”. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some great brands over the last couple of years and yes, I’ve had some ‘free stuff’ as an outcome of that. But I see this as a result of my blogging and NOT the reason for my blogging.
I want this blog to be a place where I can tell my story and talk about my ups and downs. I don’t want to change the way I write to suit a particular brand or PR company, or post endless reviews of products that really have nothing to do with my fitness journey. I’m not a fitness professional and I’m not looking to make money from my blogging and I don’t generally go chasing products to review.
That said if someone approaches me with an opportunity and I think it’s a good fit with my blog, then I would more than likely take them up on that offer. After all, who doesn’t like free stuff!
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So thank you for reading my blog and letting me share my journey with you. An even bigger thank you for those that take the time to comment and connect with me. Those really are the reasons ‘Why I write’
From Strength to Strength 
Perfect reasons! 🙂 I wonder though how many page views your page needs to have before companies become interested – any ideas?
I really don’t know. The companies I’ve worked with have never asked for my stats. They’ve been more interested in my story and whether their product is a good fit for me and my blog.
I don’t think it’s just about your current readership, it’s also about you and your story and whether you fit that company’s target market for that product. If people are searching for reviews of a product then your blog about it is likely to show up in their search. In that situation how many hits your blog has per day is irrelevant – because the potential customer who is looking for a review has just found exactly what they were looking for. Reviews are also really useful for companies as marketing material.
I’d say that if there are companies you’d like to work with then get in touch with them.