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We all have our reasons for doing it (or wanting to do it).  But very seldom do we conciously think about why we blog.  And for those people who have never blogged and have no desire to do so the question is, “Why should I blog?”

According to Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere 2008 (an annual report on the changing landscape of blogging) where they interviewed over 1,000 bloggers on why they blog, the main reason most people blog is as a form of self-expression and to share information, followed by networking and getting a foot in the door in traditional old media.  Other reasons people blog included:

• activism
• book publicity
• personal satisfaction
• self-promotion
• share my passion
• to become known as an expert and
• “to bake half-baked ideas

Here are the numbers from Technorati’s research reflecting why bloggers said they blog:

Why Do You Blog?

Reading The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging, I came across their Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Blog:

To Blog or Not to Blog:  Top Ten Reasons Why You Should

1. To build a reputation as a wise, thoughtful expert on family values.
2. To destroy someone else’s reputation as a wise, thoughtful expert on family values with one drunken photo from the all-nude male caberet.
3. To entertain the fantasy that a baby-model scout is looking at photos of your child in a too-cute Burberry two-piece toddler swimsuit ($55).
4. Pure exhibitionism.
5. To vent about your halitosis-plagued boss and boneheaded corporate policies.
6. To establish cred for a new career after being fired by your halitosis-plagued boss and bone-headed HR minions.
7. To let the world know that your babysitter is trying to extort $1.5 million from you.
8. To stop a rumor that you sexually harassed said babysitter.
9. Grandma gently suggests that you share your rants about (pick one) the last election, Mumia Abu-Jamal, the need for a border fense, or the “Klintoons” with someone other than her.
10. For the opportunity to make an additional $1.65 per week through Google AdWords or the Amazon Associates program.

Did Technorati or Huffington Post miss anything?  Do tell.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging app. Odd (textually.org)
• Journalism.org: PEJ’s State of the News Media 2009 report (blogs.journalism.co.uk)
• Advice on how to blog from Arianna Huffington, Om Malik, and more of the Web’s best pundits. (slate.com)