You’re probably wondering how blogging can help you boost your academic writing when both seem to be two different things. But before you start galloping on the web to prove this wrong, know this: writing is an open space where anything can grow.

It takes more than just writing to start a blog; it also takes understanding to prove your point. The same with academic writing—you want to prove an argument for your academic piece but this time, without the tedious and dense analysis.

To understand how blogging can actually make you become much better at academic writing, read on.

1. You think about the reader.

Most academic writers compose intricate analysis in order to prove an argument. So chances are, readers get left behind.

When writing a blog, you think how your readers will react to your post. Whether they’ll care or not, your writing should be seamless and clear as a crystal.

2. You make your words count.

Writing blogs can lead you to simplify complex ideas—using short words and short sentences. Almost all online users spend seconds on a web page, then if unsatisfied, would hop to another page. By being concise and direct, you let readers pick words and ideas that only matter.

Prune your sentences and dump empty words. Eventually, you’ll stop counting your words and will start making your words count.

3. You find your own writing voice.

The good thing about writing a blog is you develop your own unique style. You can learn how to communicate with your own tone, humor, and level of formality. With a different range of writing styles and approaches you apply in blogging, you’ll eventually create your own “persona” in your own academic writing.

4. You have the courage to write.

As an academic writer, you are probably terrified of criticism, and hate to submit your imperfect drafts. You hate to feel belittled by other experts, and perhaps tell yourself that your drafts are not good enough. But with writing blogs you’ll learn something new with every work you create, and eventually, you gain courage in academic writing.

5. You have the skill to share a good story.

Although blogging is quite different from an academic treatise, you still have to build excitement and entertainment. Sure, it has to be informative and such, but you have to keep your reader glued to your writing. And how can you do it? By sharing personal stories.

6. You have the willingness to build a community.

Blogging becomes a wholesome experience because writing becomes fun and sociable. You get to meet new people and even share your blogs to different medium. More and more online users can share ideas and spark conversation.

Since you have learned to optimize your drafts and think of your readers when you write, you readers will interact and respond. And with these, you can be more inspired, and even fall in love with writing over and over again.