“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it”
I wish I had thought of this gem but the credit goes to Simon Sinek the author of “Start With Why”, the most provocative book I’ve read all year.
The gist of the book is that great companies clearly articulate “Why” they exist. They spend as much time articulating their purpose as they do on the “what” and “how” they conduct business.
Three great examples -
Apple’s “why” is to help people “Think Different”, challenge norms, and inspire revolution. By the way, they also sell some nifty devices to help their revolutionaries do just that.
Toms purpose is to use innovative business models to reduce suffering around the world. Every purchase of Toms shoes buys a pair of shoes for a child in the Third World.
Martin Luther King was one of many civil rights leaders in the early 60s. He rose to prominence because he was one of the few leaders able to describe in breathtaking terms “why” his moral vision would prevail.
On the flip side -
HP and even Dell are getting eaten alive by the Apple juggernaut precisely because no one really knows “why” they exist other to make a profit.
Delta, American Airlines, and USAirways have been whooped by Southwest Airlines for decades simply because they can’t get their “why” right.
Once you get your head around the notion of “purpose” then it’s difficult to do business the same way. Case in point – blogging (you knew I would go there didn’t you?)
So…Why Do You Blog?
I’ve taken a sabbatical from blogging for the last month. I needed to recharge. But most of all, I needed to put my finger on why Pushing Social exists. Frankly, it took a while to find my answer.
It’s simpler than you think.
Pushing Social exists to change how people do business with one another. I believe that social is a disruptive force that will topple traditional hierarchical business nonsense forever.
It excites me to think how everyday people will use authentic, why-based communication to inspire and push beyond profit. Sweet right?
This blog is just a bully pulpit for me to inspire, coach, and lead. If you want to do the same for your organization then follow me.
How about you?
Why do you blog?
Before you tell me in the comments, keep this in mind. I’m asking “WHY” you blog not
• “What you blog about”
• “How you blog” or -
• “Who you blog for”
This question is uncomfortably personal. You may find that blogging is just one way you are achieving your “why”.
I have to warn you. You may decide that blogging is getting in the way of your purpose. Its feasible that you should be spending your time making better products, writing books, shooting video, giving speeches, traveling to the third world or quitting your job.
So take the plunge and tell me WHY in the comments below.
About Stanford
This is the best blogging advice I’ve read–period. I just stumbled upon your site and instantly I’m hit with “I need this content in my life.”
I wish I had an answer for this question, but I don’t. I have been blogging since 2007, but within the past 2 years a huge life event caused me to get still and in that process I discovered how much I love to write. I went back to school and discovered that passion went hand and hand with real talent. So here I am. And at this moment I don’t know why I blog.
My blog is in transition, from “adventures of a homeschooling, crafty/artist mom that was heavy on inspiring other moms” to what it is now. Maybe that is the issue…I don’t know what it is now.
Any advice?
I know what I’m passionate about, I know who I am, I know what my life goals are, and I know what I’m not blogging for…but I don’t know that any of that speaks to why I am blogging.
Thank you for sharing such a great, thought-provoking post. (http://quejimenez.typepad.com/quejimenez/)
@quejimenez A few quick things come to mind:
1. Are you on a path to get paid for your talent? Or is writing a hobby. If your blog is a hobby then finding “the” answer isn’t critical (nice but now critical)
2. Once you decide on where you are now, can you connect that to a something your audience has to own or know?
3. Can you authentically work toward the answer to #2 in a way that inspires and motivates you and those who will join you on the journey?
@Stanford@quejimenez Thanks for replying! This question has been on my mind all day, and I suspect I’ll get to the bottom of an answer soon. (At least I hope.)
Okay, the answer to #1 is what creates my biggest “issue” or should I say question. I want to write professionally, particularly I’m interested in: academic and scholarly research of literature, and eventually I know I will expand to write fiction. I have discovered a particular niche of study and have been encouraged by numerous professors to consider turning my current research into a book once I’m done with my MA thesis (still some years down the line). This area is my passion, but since I know I’m years away from publishing my research I’m hesitant to talk about it (my particular research focus) on my blog.
Aside from those professional goals I aspire to teach writing. My initial idea of transforming my blog was to develop a “following” and to establish myself in my field. Getting paid would be a nice byproduct of my efforts, but I mainly want to help people write better and open up a dialogue about the area of literature I love to read and hope to write about.
Hmm….so I think I’m blogging to establish a platform for my future writing goals. I think that’s it. Now I have to work on questions 2 & 3. I know the answer to #3 is yes, but I need to get to the bottom of question 2.
By the way, my area of focus is literature by women of color.
Thank you again for opening up this dialogue in my mind. I’m making clear progress on figuring out my blogging purpose!
I blog to spread awareness. I blog because I want as many people as possible to know that even though there are 26 year olds (and older and younger for that matter) living everyday with arthritis, they still have a zest for life! And want to experience new things everyday, and push themselves to their very limits! ( http://rachelmarie5685.blogspot.com/ ) ( @RachelMarie5685 )
@RachelMarie5685 Wow. This is great. So your purpose is to help young arthritis sufferers or to focus attention on the condition?
@Stanford@RachelMarie5685 To focus attention on the condition. There are SO many resources for young sufferers, so I will definitely mention those too!
Thank you for posting this by the way! I have been trying to identify my “brand” for myself, and having to type it out for this post, really helped!
@I I blog to make money doing good by sharing ways to better handle negative feelings. Not good at the first part, but much strengthen by trying my best to go good. Hope those who read me agree.
@kglevine@i I bet that if you get better at explaining the second part “sharing ways to better handle negative feelings” the first part “make money” will come…
I’m not quite sure how I got here (Twitter!), but I blog because I’m passionate about helping people present themselves on line. I think about it, I analyse it, I’m constantly noticing it, and so a blog is an important place to put some of that thinking.
@alisonmacleod Hi Alison, I love your why (you are a kindred spirit!) But, this sounds like “what” you do… I’m missing the why.
First and foremost I don’t blog for money! I have a full time job working on a search engine (ahem…). Anyways, I use my spare time for blogging. A lot of people ask me whether I don’t have anything better to do in my spare time! Here’s why
1) I Blog to Learn – I love how blogging makes me constantly aware of life around me, and keeps me always looking for a new angle or something new to research. I find myself always learning something new as I write my posts, and hopefully I’m sharing something new with my readership at the same time.
2) I do it for you, of course – Teaching is a passion of mine. I love helping others to learn and grow beyond where they are at now. Its of course hard to see the effects directly, but when we have a growing readership, with great comments, it shows that its at least worthwhile.
3) Meeting new people – It’s amazing when you “blog” that it’s really an industry-wide conversation. I will find things someone else says that I want to emphasize or elaborate on, and that connects me with them.
Stan – glad to see you back. Ironically, I’ve been away from blogging for the past few weeks too. It seems a lot of people have. Maybe there’s something in the water?
Anyway, I blog to help businesses grow. There are so many businesses out there doing amazing things, but they just don’t know how to get their message out and into the hands of people who need their product or service. So many businesses operate with the “build it and they will come mentality” without developing a plan for how to get the word out. Then, they flail about trying to figure out what to do next. I blog to help them cut through the clutter and figure out how to use the tools they have available to get their business off the ground.
Great question. I hope people really take the time to think this through.
@lauraclick Hey there Laura. Let me push you a bit. A lot of folks out there “help businesses grow” what makes you so special? C’mon let me have it…
@Stanford Ah! Fair enough. This is why I like you, Stan. Thanks for pushing me!
I blog to empower entrepreneurs and businesses to market themselves in a productive, positive way. I want to equip businesses owners with the knowledge and tools they need to be successful, without using marketing tactics that make them feel like a slime ball.
Better?
I blog to encourage others.
People want to know what it’s like to start a successful business, work from home, maintain relationships and make the Internet work for them. When someone leaves me a note about how something I’ve written encouraged them, it reinforces my “why.” I’m too busy to waste time but as long as people our encouraged, I’ll continue to blog.
Thank you, Stanford. It’s so refreshing to filter everything down to the why. I love Simon Sinek’s work but I handn’t applied it to blogging until just now.
@lukestokes So glad to see you over here, Luke! You’ll learn a lot from Stan. He’s got great stuff here.
You are definitely great at encouraging people. You really do have a lot to offer and I can’t wait to see what else you have in store, friend!
@lauraclick Thanks Laura! You’re always such a great encouragement to me, I really appreciate it.
@lukestokes Hey Luke, thanks for stopping by! Can I ask you a question? Why is your “encouragement” unique and special? Why would I want your brand of encouragement? I’m poking and prodding here – but there is a method to my madness.
@Stanford That’s a good question, one that I’ll probably always be refining the answer to.
The encouragement I provide is unique because most people don’t know an entrepreneur who boot strapped a successful internet business over 4-5 years while still working full time (and raising a family with an awesome marriage). Most people don’t know many successful web developers who aren’t offensive with their faith but are also willing to share what they believe and how their worldview is shaped by those beliefs.
I believe life should be lived on purpose, not just endured.
What the few readers I have so far have told me (and I’m pretty new to taking blogging more seriously) is they are encouraged to believe their story can be real too. They are encouraged to get started. They know someone who has done it. They know it can be done.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my answer so I can keep refining it.