When I first wrote about the value of blogging back in 2006, the internet felt like a frontier. There was plenty of skepticism, and I’d often get ribbed for spending so much time on my blog. I didn’t take offense. I’d think to myself, It’s a blogger thing—you wouldn’t understand.
Nearly 25 years later, I’m still publishing, but the landscape looks very different. What hasn’t changed is my respect for independent bloggers. In fact, that respect has only grown as the challenges have multiplied.
The Timeless Traits Of Bloggers
The qualities I admired back then remain true today: bloggers share knowledge freely, challenge conventional thinking, pursue truth, and connect people with answers. They’re courageous enough to publish their thoughts, knowing criticism comes fast. And above all, they care deeply about the people who read their work.
But now, these qualities aren’t just admirable—they’re essential for survival. The act of blogging in 2025 is an act of persistence against powerful forces that often work against the individual voice.
The Struggle for Independence
Back then, the barriers to being heard were mostly cultural… convincing people that a blog was a legitimate medium. Today, the barriers are structural. Algorithms determine whether your work is seen at all. Social platforms bury independent voices in favor of promoted content. Search engines change the rules so frequently that yesterday’s visibility becomes today’s obscurity.
Then there’s the tidal wave of AI-generated content. Articles can be mass-produced at scales and speeds no individual can match. For an independent blogger, that means competing not just with fellow humans but with machines trained on billions of words—including ours. What was once a level playing field now tilts steeply in favor of those who can automate.
And yet, those who keep going show a resilience that deserves respect. Publishing in this environment isn’t easy. It requires more creativity, more resourcefulness, and often more stubbornness than ever before.
Passion Or Just A Job
The difference between those who endure and those who fade is passion. For some, content is just a job, a way to generate leads or check a marketing box. When the clock hits five, they’re done. Independent bloggers don’t have that luxury. They write because they care too much not to.
I’ve always believed that in fields like marketing, design, leadership, and technology, curiosity is the only actual safeguard against irrelevance. The world is constantly evolving, whether through the emergence of new platforms, tools, or competitors. To stop learning and stop engaging is to accept being left behind. Independent bloggers resist that fate by staying in the game, even when it would be easier to quit.
Respecting Passion In A Noisy World
What keeps me reading—and writing—is passion. I may not agree with everything I come across, but when I see someone consistently putting their voice out there, in their own words, without corporate polish or committee oversight, I respect them.
Because in a digital world that often feels dominated by algorithms and automation, authenticity stands out. And that’s something no machine can replicate.
Tips For Starting Or Sticking With It
If you’re diving into blogging today or have been at it and are wondering whether to keep going, momentum is everything. Starting is hard, and keeping at it is even harder. Here are some truths I’ve learned that might help:
- Consistency matters more than perfection: You don’t need to publish the smartest or longest piece every time. You need to show up. The rhythm of publishing builds authority far more than one perfect post.
- Write for people, not algorithms: SEO has its place, but chasing every update is a losing game. When you solve real problems, answer real questions, or share genuine insights, readers will keep coming back—even if the algorithm changes.
- Momentum compounds: The more you publish, the more opportunities surface. Old posts get rediscovered, new readers find you, and you begin to see your body of work generate value beyond what any single post could do.
- It’s okay to disagree or be disagreed with: Don’t fear criticism. The fact that someone engages means you’ve struck a nerve, and that’s far better than being ignored.
- Remember why you started: Whether it was to share knowledge, build community, or have a place for your thoughts, that original spark is the anchor that helps you through dry spells.
Momentum is what keeps a blog alive. Abandon it for too long, and you may never get it back. Keep pressing forward, even imperfectly, and over time you’ll find that your body of work is worth more than you imagined at the start.
Still Publishing After All These Years
Yes, I still receive the occasional, embarrasing correction. And yes, it’s more complicated than ever to keep an independent publication afloat. But I wouldn’t trade it. The joy of sharing an idea that sparks curiosity, helps someone solve a problem, or makes them think—that’s why I’ve kept publishing for nearly 25 years.
Independent bloggers may be fewer today, and the obstacles greater, but the value of their voices has only grown. If anything, blogging in 2025 is less about chasing clicks and more about defying the odds. And that’s precisely why I’ll keep doing it.
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