As a software engineer it’s been a couple of years that I’m saying to myself that I’m going to start writing blog posts tomorrow, next week or even next month, but truth is I never did write a single blog post. The reason I didn’t start was, I thought, I’m not an expert of anything, not a famous person, and not good at writing, but a regular software engineer. Therefore, why should I take my time write a post and nobody even read it. That always stoped me starting a blog. But recently, after I read couple of blog posts from programmers and software engineers I changed my mind and decided blogging.
Now, I have many reasons to write blog posts as a programmer, also, I think every software developer should have blog. Let’s see why I decided to write a blog:
Learn faster and improve your technical skills
I learn much faster when I try to explain or to teach somebody. I know this from Computer Science class group work projects from the college, because I still remember everything I tried to explain and show to other group members. Explaining pushes you to learn more about the topic which is good not only for your readers but for your own self as well. Starting a programming blog is very similar to teaching because in your blog you will be teaching the world about programming and computer science.
Market yourself and kick start your career
Your blog will open the doors for various networking and business opportunities that you might not find otherwise. Through the blog, you can get a lot of connections and leads for an upcoming freelance and contractor career. I’m going to tell you a real life example about one of my friends, he started learning Java programming language, and shared his progress on his blog, and he had recruiters sending him job offer that he never applied to, and they found his posts shared online. And, he started his software engineering career even before he finished his Java course.
Document your progress for giving back
How many times a week do you find the perfect StackOverflow article that solves your problem and saves you hours of banging your head against a wall? How many times do you spend hours solving a problem, but no one else ever benefits from your solution?
Even if you write post from time to time, weekly, you can show what kind of challenges you faced, how you solved them, which methods and techniques you used and which one you avoided. After a year when you look back you will see really helpful documents you provided to others with useful insights and show how you approach problems.
Also, people with very little programming experience can much better show how they struggled with certain topics and where are the traps and non-obvious parts compared to experienced programmers. So, people who read your posts won’t fall into the trap that what you wrote about.
Learn how to communicate and present your ideas
Believe it or not but your software career heavily relies on how good you are at communicating and presenting your ideas. Even if you are a good programmer, without a good communication, and presenting yourself your software career won’t shine, and be limited. Also, many programmers claim that writing articles help them also write a better code.
Remove your stress
Disconnect from your daily routine of coding life, give yourself some freedom, be with your thoughts and write about something that you would like to share, share your own opinion, write it down and publish. It will make you feel relaxed.
In general, blogging as a software developer is an amazing way to increase your personality. Writing a blog can boost whatever you do or planning to do. It opens doors where you would never expect them. It worths to try, and see its benefits.
Oldest comments (72)
Good stuff, thanks for this!
my earliest blog was from way back 2004
Hi Elchin, Great post. It chimes with a recent post of mine Why I write posts on dev.to and you should too.
I agree with you, the first reason "Learn faster and improve your technical skills", in my opinion, is the most important one!
Thank you, I agree with you.
Thanks, you welcome!
I wish I write blog, but every time I think I could use that time to do some more coding.
Do you have examples or really short posts blog, that doesn't take a lot of time?
Yes, it takes some time, but I do it when I'm not programming and have free time.
Hey, you can have a look to my "Tiny Tips" thread for examples: dev.to/tandrieu/tiny-tips-ordering...
If you have one small habit that really makes your life easier, and you notice nobody use it, just write about it. It takes less than 10min to write, less than 1min to read it and can be really helpful for other peoples.
I have a really boring style of writing though, that I don't want to bother anyone with. I'm better at commenting 😅
It gets better when you write :)
As long as you don't bore yourself, you are good to go. Forget what others might think or say. Write to yourself, Rense.
Exactly! Thank you!
Thank you!
Agreed!
I fully agree with this but know that it can be very difficult to know how to start.
Most people are afraid of writing because they just don't know how to write the post itself. This was/is also the case for myself.
The best thing to do in that case is just write for yourself. You'll learn how to communicate better over time.
Nice, thanks for the tip.
You welcome.
Thanks for the tip, I also find myself in this boat.
Thank you!
Just start writing something. You don't have to finish it in a day or two, write some paragraphs then come back and reread it, add some paragraphs, edit it, then you'll see that you are developing a skill.