Written by adam on Jul 26, 2006
What has blogging BROUGHT me?
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Last week, Darren at ProBlogger.net asked a question of us readers: What has blogging bought you? Plenty of folks answered stuff, toys, electronics, and vacations. Too bad that Men in Aprons has not yet reached the vacation level yet. I answered that blogging has bought me a domain name and hosting. That's about it so far. However, with the next dcheck, I should be able to buy something special for myself. I really want to buy some books and CDs and some other junk.
When I first read Darren's question, I thought he he wrote B-R-O-U-G-H-T. Brought. I think that it's a very good accompanying question to, especially for those who aren't making enough from blogging to buy condos and a vacation. For my part, blogging has brought me a lot more than it has bought me.
Free Stuff
Blogging ... food blogging to be specific ... has brought me quite a bit of free stuff. It's amazing what people will send you just because you have a web site and an opinion. Right about now is my anniversary of when I first began receiving items in the mail to review or mention on Men in Aprons. Since then I have received a couple of cookbooks, beer, Hefty disposable dishware, Reynolds Fun Shapes, a coffee maker, countless bottles of hot sauce from hot sauce blog, a bbq grill accessory, seasonings and salts, some jellies and bbq sauce, and delicious hand made chocolates.
I admit that getting and trying free stuff is a big draw to me. This is partly because I love getting free stuff, but also because I like to give my opinions and hopefully help out consumers who want that opinion on a product. Not only that, helping out a small-business owner by providing my input and review brings me a great deal of satisfaction. It's part of the consumer process.
Experience and Research
When I first started this web site, I set out to post regularly as a research project for a manly cookbook that I wanted to write. I've learned quite a bit about cooking and the male psyche, I've learned many new techniques and recipes, and by writing this, I've got a head start on the book. Someday it will happen.
Relationships
This is one of the most fundamental things that I enjoy about blogging. I enjoy communicating with people on the web, helping them, and creating relationships. Even before Men in Aprons, I had a personal diary blog where I met a lot of great people. Those people stuck by me when I was laid off and even sent presents and money to me and my family. But really, I just like communicating with readers, other home chefs, and bloggers.
Extra spending cash
It wouldn't be fair of me to not mention this. Blogging has brought me a way to make a little extra cash on the side. Right now, I only make a little bit per month from a couple of different revenue sources. It's taken a year and a half to get there, but I feel confident that I can keep it up and increase it. I've written about food blogging before here, and have had a few responses about it. I do believe now that a person can make money from food blogging. I have yet to see if the money can be good enough to live off of, but a little extra cash never hurt.
A hobby that stuck
I've had plenty of "hobbies" in the past, but blogging is the one that has stuck. I get a lot of enjoyment from blogging, and the above reasons shoul clue you into why.
Responses to "What has blogging BROUGHT me?" ...
Howdy!
You forgot to mention chocolate. ;D
I haven't made any money blogging, but I didn't set out to do that with my blog. It was primarily a way to share images and thoughts with the people on my email list without draining their inbox resources.
Like you, I've gained from the relationships, and some of the bloggers I visit daily, like you, I feel like I know just a little bit.
It's a nice way to share information and gain knowledge from other sources. It makes me laugh when reviewers or pundits say blogs must be this or must be that to be successful. I don't know if you remember the big cheese-sandwich debate, but to me, the whole thing can be filed under "Beauty (or rather blogging) is in the eye of the beholder (or blogger).
The bottom line for me isn't about a bottom line. While it's always nice to have more cash with which to buy more things or do more things (or even give to a good cause), sometimes doing something like blogging is simply an end unto itself, rather than a means to another end.
That's my two cents. :) Although inflation seems to be pegging it at about eight cents these days.
John's been enjoying the bbq sauce you sent. He recently braised a chicken breast with it, cooking it in a shallow, covered pan on the stove top. He plated it over brown Jasmine rice and said it tasted fine.
BTW, have you tried Annie's BBQ sauces? Annie's as in the organic/natural foods dressings company.
Since winter of 2004, I have been exploring the world of cooking and helping out my fellow men in their quests to better themselves in the kitchen. My name is Adam Byrd, you can learn more about me and my mission on my