This is not how I expected to start a blog. I’ve been meaning to start blogging since I read Mark Schaefer’s post, Stop Writing for an Audience, and Michael Brenner’s post reviewing his top 2010 posts and reasons for blogging. Both inspired me and made me reconsider blogging.

That was only a good intention though until last week when, mid-day, returning from a client meeting I was in an accident. Thankfully everyone involved is ok, has insurance, and this will just be a momentary interruption in our lives. But it could have been far worse, and it was a wakeup call for me to focus on the things that I am passionate about, at home and at work.

Here are the primary reasons blogging is one of those things.

Expand my knowledge
I have always enjoyed solving problems and taking on new challenges in digital marketing, from my background in digital media and analytics with Media Contacts, working on how to deal with the overwhelming amount of data that was becoming available, to working with the content team at Babcock & Jenkins on how to develop, promote and measure content for B2B marketing. The best ways for me to work through these challenges are to structure my ideas by writing or whiteboarding them and talking through them with colleagues. Blogging will help me work through these ideas. If I’m lucky, blogging in public will give me an opportunity to talk through these ideas with others.

Become a better writer
I have never considered myself to be a good writer, and I’ve usually responded by avoiding writing at most every opportunity, opting instead for numbers, whiteboards, talking or almost any other form of communication. But I will never become a better writer if I don’t, umm, write. I’m not getting younger anymore, it’s time to get started.

Improve business relationships
Sharing my views and experiences in marketing, and particularly B2B and digital marketing, will hopefully give the clients, publishers and partners I work with a better sense of me, my perspectives, and my strengths and weaknesses. I believe that the better we know each other and know what to expect from each other professionally, the better we can work together.

The accident gave me an appreciation for how little we control, and inspired me to take action where I can. So I’m taking advantage of that push. By saying no to a few more meetings that I just don’t need to be in. By spending more time focused on the things that I am passionate about. And yes, by starting a blog.