Call me a bit slow to catch on – but when it comes to blogging, like many other things in life, it isn’t until one actually participates that the true benefits become clear.

Until earlier this year, when professional circumstances encouraged me to attempt my first blog, I’d considered this activity to be something geeks do, other geeks read and it all ends up as cyberspace trash.

However, I am now more inclined to see that indeed, blogging has its values.

For one, the initial process encouraged me to clarify and organise my views and then to indulge in writing them down in my own voice for others to read – as a writer of articles and columns, I am not accustomed to that luxury. And, in doing so I started to ‘think’ more about any other views that may be lurking in the depths of my mind and be of interest to others.

But more importantly, the fact that my blog posts have elicited responses has awakened me to that mass cyberspace community out there. What an exciting prospect that is to engage in a form of social interaction that encourages good honest opinion sharing without any need for the face-to-face niceties that so often inhibit us from saying what we really think.

Even those who are cynical would benefit from blogging, which leads to knowing more people – albeit it in a shallow way – thinking about what one thinks and in the long run improving on one’s thoughts - with very little effort involved.

Once started on this blogging, I can see how it could become addictive. For some, obviously it becomes like keeping a diary; a daily record of thoughts – interesting or not. For, others I can see it’s the speediest way to develop as many relationships as you desire all over the world without moving your butt.

For those who are more ambitious, blogging is a great opportunity to show off your expertise and knowledge and develop recognition - even a fan club. I’m not quite there yet, but I can see how laudable responses to one’s blogs could inspire more of the same.

And, what an excellent business tool this is. Blogging is the perfect channel for not only informing customers, but getting to know them and what they think and want - true two-way communication like never before. Every business knows that developing customer relationships and knowing who customers are is fundamental.

While I’m still not entirely comfortable with putting my mental musings to the world, I am convinced that it’s worth doing if not just to ensure that if someone Googles Alice Taylor – they’ll find something.