In a world where social networks increasingly dominate discussions and online content, owning and controlling your online space has never been more crucial. Maintaining a blog or producing podcasts is not just a means to express creativity and share our thoughts with potential readers or listeners but also a way to safeguard our work and identity.

Here are a few reasons to consider:

1. Full Control Over Content

Owning your blog means you have complete control over your content. You're not subject to the ever-changing policies of social networks, nor are you at risk of a company discontinuing its service or suspending/closing your account. Your blog is yours, and you decide what to publish, how it looks, and how you interact with your audience.

Consider the case of X (Twitter), which made many users, ourselves included, abandon the platform entirely after years of posting content there.

2. Opportunity for Recognition

You can craft a distinct and coherent online identity through blogging and podcasting. Instead of being just another user on a crowded social media platform, you can emerge as a unique voice building its community. People begin to recognize who you are, what you stand for, your values, and what you offer.

3. Content Portability and Durability

Blogging and podcasting platforms usually facilitate easy content export and import. If you wish to switch your hosting service or backup your content, you can do so without wasting time on unnecessary settings or email requests or risking losing years of content.

4. Return to Open Internet Values

Controlling and owning your web space isn't new—it reflects the principles upon which the Internet was built. Issues concerning ownership, portability, and openness were addressed in 1999 but were overshadowed by social networks' rise. Through blogging and podcasting, we're returning to these foundational values.

5. Deliver Value and Build a Community Around Your Brand

A blog and podcasts aren't just about you; they're about your audience. These platforms offer opportunities to create valuable content for your readers and listeners, fostering a community centered on shared interests and values.

Maintaining a blog and producing podcasts is not merely a hobby or marketing strategy. Instead, it's a critical endeavor for controlling and expressing your identity in the digital age. Rather than being at the mercy of social media policies and the risk of losing content, you can master your online fate.

Invest in yourself and your voice, and experience the freedom and empowerment of being your editor, host, and community builder. Then, use some social media platforms merely to promote links to your articles and podcasts, drawing the audience and traffic back to your site.