For anyone in the tech space, whether you are a learner, hobbyist, or professional, starting a blog can be one of the most transformative things you can do. Whether you're documenting projects, sharing insights or putting your thoughts to paper, a tech blog can have a significant impact on your learner mindset alongside networking benefits in the long-run.
1. Encourages Consistent Learning
Knowing that you have a blog to write for encourages you to learn new things and start that project that you've been putting off. If you've been putting off running every morning then sign up for a marathon, if you've been putting off learning to drive then book a driving test, if you've been putting off becoming a better engineer then start a tech blog!
You'll be pushed to put what you've learnt into practice rather than being stuck in tutorial hell because you're now forced to have interesting things to write about.
2. Improves Understanding and Retention
Two of the best ways to solidify your learning is to either explain it or to apply it and both are encouraged by starting a tech blog. Writing about that course you just finished or that project you want to try forces you to structure your thoughts, solidify your ideas and clarify the missing bits. This is something that benefits you more than your readers because you'll be the one coming out of the experience with a clearer vision of what you just learnt and what you want to do with it.
3. Creates a Learning Journal
When you look back at your blog as a reader, you'll be able to see the path that you took in your journey building whatever it is that got you to start writing in the first place. You can beam at all the small hills you've overcome and you'll spot gaps where you could've done something differently.
All of that isn't possible without writing down your experiences as you're going through them. Each post is a brush stroke in your painting for you to look at in the future.
4. Builds a Personal Brand
A blog or personal website acts as a public portfolio of your skills and projects. This can help with finding that next career move, landing your next client as a freelancer or growing your credibility in your field of expertise.
Regardless of whether you have regular readers or not, when a recruiter or client looks at your blog for the first time, they will get a strong impression of you and what's in your toolbox.
5. Help Others in the Community
The "Web" is all about connections between different points and by that nature it thrives off of shared knowledge. Documenting the solution to a specific problem that you've come across is like adding one extra neuron to the collective brain of the internet.
Your problem might be very specific and niche but there could be someone out there going through the same thing and looking for a solution online (we've all been there).
6. Opens Networking and Career Opportunities
Your writing can pull the eyes of like-minded professionals, employers, or mentors that could approach you with an opportunity to work with them. You never know on what screens your posts have ended up.
Final Thoughts
Starting a tech blog is a long journey, and like any long journey, the hardest part is often getting out of bed, putting your shoes on, and heading out. That's what I'm doing with this very post, stepping out and hopefully keeping up this blog consistently. If you're thinking about starting one then my advice is to go for it. Write about anything you find interesting and any small wins in your week regardless of how simple it might be.