It's actually a really hard time for indie bloggers, but I still think you should do it.
I've been blogging for years. I've had a handful of posts go Twitter-viral and/or make the front page of HN, but most of what I write feels like it's just talking into the void.
That said, the benefits are numerous. When I'm looking for a gig, I can point people to my writing. When I'm hiring folks, I can point people to my writing. It gives them a genuine window into how I think about the world. It's one thing to say that you do X, Y, and Z. It's much more credible to point to a blog post you've put out into the world that says you do X, Y and Z, and explains how and why you do it.
The other benefits are more personal. It helps me clarify and structure my thinking. It also helps me remember how I thought about a problem when I want to revisit it in the future, to see how/whether my thinking has evolved or deteriorated.
So if you're going to write because you think you'll magically get an audience and/or numerous job offers, you'll be disappointed. If you write because it's beneficial to you, the rest might happen and if it does it'll be a cherry on top.
I've been blogging for years. I've had a handful of posts go Twitter-viral and/or make the front page of HN, but most of what I write feels like it's just talking into the void.
That said, the benefits are numerous. When I'm looking for a gig, I can point people to my writing. When I'm hiring folks, I can point people to my writing. It gives them a genuine window into how I think about the world. It's one thing to say that you do X, Y, and Z. It's much more credible to point to a blog post you've put out into the world that says you do X, Y and Z, and explains how and why you do it.
The other benefits are more personal. It helps me clarify and structure my thinking. It also helps me remember how I thought about a problem when I want to revisit it in the future, to see how/whether my thinking has evolved or deteriorated.
So if you're going to write because you think you'll magically get an audience and/or numerous job offers, you'll be disappointed. If you write because it's beneficial to you, the rest might happen and if it does it'll be a cherry on top.