Why is Blogging so Important? – Guest Post from The Healthy Voyager

Back in 2005, I came up with an idea for a show that, I felt, would help hundreds of thousands of folks around the world travel without worrying about their dietary restrictions. Being a vegan, I knew that I wasn’t the only person experiencing difficulties on finding food I could eat, least alone healthy options, when I was away from home. So I began to do the rounds at networks and production companies, pitching my show idea that would take viewers on a weekly adventure while showing them how vegetarians, celiacs, diabetics or even just health conscious folks travel and still find healthy, delicious food anywhere around the globe.  While it was well received, no one was willing to take the risk on “healthy” food shows just yet so I set out to prove that there was an audience for it and so, my blog was born.

At first, my blog was a simple, once a week post about a city I had visited. Each post talked a bit about the locale, it’s points of interest and any neat tidbits to entice the reader to visit. However, the most important part was the coverage of all the places I dined, what I ate and what other options were available for special diet diners.  As this was before the explosion of social media, I began to gain subscribers and loyal readers and am up to over 700,000 thus far.

Over time, and when I couldn’t get out of town, I added in recipes and other fun lifestyle posting such as holiday gift guides and eco tips. Eventually, I knew I had to change the “blog” format and turned the single posting style in to a full blown site that could house a number of categories. Now the site is home to my travel show, cooking show, product reviews, podcast, recipes, giveaways, healthy and green living articles and yes, my beloved weekly travel post.

I would have never guessed how my simple blog that was meant to be a fun resource for readers (as well as an attentions grabber for producers) would become a full time job and ever-growing brand. I love the organic nature of how it’s evolved and the opportunities that have come out of it all. Since the onset of social media, I’ve been able to connect with so many people around the world and my content is now syndicated, talked about and used to educate. It even landed me my first book deal, a cookbook due out this upcoming holiday season.

Being that I began blogging before social media, I would say that I had the chance to find my way before the “chaos” ensued. And I was glad that it showed up when it did as it increased the visibility and reach of my blog/site 100 fold. Although the most surprising thing is where it has taken me and where it is going.

What is so important about blogging is that every blog, even if there are a ton of similar ones out there, is that it allows everyone to have their own individual voice. And each voice is heard by people who are drawn to it because they relate to it, are entertained or they want to learn from the content. Some of the most successful blogs are those that exude the passion of the subject matter well.  It’s what sets everything in motion, pure passion. From high school girls who are pouring their hearts out about their daily lives to hardcore foodies, it’s a fantastic way to create a community of like-minded people.

Additionally, what might begin as a hobby or a means of self-expression, could ultimately lead to jobs and/or careers that may not have presented themselves had there been no blog in the first place. As with me, I had my own pr and event planning firm that got hit hard with the economy crisis in 2008. Since I had studied holistic nutrition and culinary arts, I looked into using those skills again. The blog gave me the opportunity to find my way back and took me down a surprising path that I wasn’t even seeking. Regardless of where it’s taken me and where it’s going, I will continue to blog because I love offering information in an entertaining way for readers who want or need it.

I highly recommend the idea of blogging to anyone as it is a wonderful way to find your voice, no matter what the topic. Be it a stay home mom who wants to publish a play by play of each day, feelings or tips or an artist who is sharing his work, it will connect with so many and possibly lead to some pretty neat stuff. So much so that you may be able to quit your job, work from home or even find a new career that you would have never thought of had you not put fingers to keypad!

Ultimately, the blogosphere is vast and is ever changing. There is room out there for everyone to find their voice and plenty of people out there waiting to listen!

The Healthy Voyager, aka Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, is the Vegan Executive Producer, Creator, Host and Writer of The Healthy Voyager web series & radio show, site, blog, and overall brand. A nutritionist, chef, author, film making, screen writing, traveling, singing, dancing, fun-loving, healthy & green living wife, The Healthy Voyager aims to help people live well, one veggie at a time!