Hubpages - A Powerful Tool Part I

 Hubpages is a powerful tool.  It is not just a tool for self-expression, an outlet for creative ideas but also a meeting place and a powerful tool for helping people.

 I am sure that there are some Hubbers who are part of the community for financial reasons only.  Why?  Hubpages is one way to earn money through writing.  There are many hubs out there already that cover how and why to use Hubpages as a way to earn an income.  I shan't be covering the income angle in this hub.

 To write a hub it is essential to have some knowledge of the topic that you are writing about.  After all, no one who writes wants to leave the impression of being a total idiot, at least not on purpose!

 Often the precurser to writing is research.  Through research you increase your knowledge.  It may be that you research through classes, reading books, magazines, articles or even other hubs, videos, visits or discussion with others.

 By commiting your thoughts and knowledge to a hub you are organising and reinforcing your ideas; improving yourself.

 Motivation and writing hubs not, perhaps, an obvious partnership.  However, motivation through writing hubs is a key ingredient even if it is not intentional.  I hear the cogs whirring as you wonder how.

 You want to write, to communicate with others.  That is why you are creating hubs.  Motivation is intrinsic to the world of hubbing.  The motivation to achieve something, anything.  It could be that you are motivated in many ways rather than one.  That you are motivated to achieve a certain personal hub score as a hubber, a certain number of fans, a comment left in response to a hub, the chance to communicate with others (likeminded or no), an income or a purpose.

 Purpose?  A purpose for what?  Suppose you find yourself at a crisis point in your life.  Something has changed or happened that is beyond your control and you are struggling with the change and implications for your life.  It may be that you have lost your job or are struggling with a severe health (physical or mental) problem.  Your days can seem like endless nightmares.  Hubpages can motivate you to get up in the morning.  It can also bring you a smile as you see your name on the screen, your words in front of your face and that of others across the world.  Imagine the sense of purpose gained when you see that you have a fan or that someone in the world has thought enough of your writing that they have responded by leaving a comment.  You still matter.  Yes, Hubpages can indeed be a powerful motivational tool giving a sense of purpose to a life that perhaps might appear to lack a focus.

Communication - such an obvious one surely. Hubpages is a way to communicate with a wide range of people from around the world. People that you may never meet otherwise.

For many people that may not be a major deciding factor in their reasoning behind becoming a Hubber. They may have busy social lives, a job which allows them to meet and interact with a wide range of people each and every day.

For some people, though, Hubpages may be one of the main ways that they have to communicate with others. Who? Who would be so sad as to not meet other people on a daily basis? Surely there can't be people out there that don't get out each and every day? I expect that there are more people in that sort of situation, feeling isolated and alone each day than you or I realise. It may be that someone reading this hub is one of those people. If so I hope my words help you to feel that you are not alone; that there is someone else in the world who is reaching out to touch you, even for just a moment.

Through Hubpages you can reach others each and every day. You can communicate your ideas, share your thoughts and meet other people. You can realise that you still exist, you have a place in the world and you matter.  By reading the work of other Hubbers and leaving comments, voting in polls or joining a fan club you are extending your network and growing the community to the benefit of all Hubbers, old and new.  You may also benefit as from personal experience I know that I often read comments that people leave and click on their link to find out more about them, reading their hubs and often joining their fan clubs.

Hubpages is a great way of spreading new ideas.  Through new hubs I learnt about two new sites that I'd never come across and discovered some great new creative outlets.  I even managed to design and make a couple of birthday presents.  I don't know about you but I love the fact that other Hubbers have so much knowledge, creativity, imagination and experience that they are willing to share.  It is also amazing to think that through our efforts at communicating with others we are extending the network and improving the Hubpage experience for everyone.

Should you be suffering from a lack of confidence, anxiety, stress or depression then Hubpages can be a powerful tool for assisting in your recovery. How? Well, as I've already mentioned you can meet people and that is without them giving you the once over and writing you off! Looks are not important, your words are. Your voice is given an outlet - you are still here and you are important. You can create a network of friends and fans. You can rebuild yourself. A fresh start if it is needed. Powerful stuff indeed!

 Sound outlandish?  Rather far-fetched?  Not really.  How can Hubpages help you change your life?  Everyone has dreams.  From the moment we begin to voice our thoughts we have a vision of our life and what we want to achieve.  Our dreams may change and evolve as we go through our lives but that doesn't lessen them.

 I've managed to achieve quite a few of my dreams.  I'm married, I have two children, I have my cats, the chickens I always wanted, I went to university and got a first and I became a teacher.  Now, that is only part of my story and my dreams.  I had many other dreams when I was younger.  Some I've put away and disgarded as being unimportant or no longer relevant but some have re-emerged and increased in importance.  I have always written and wanted to be a writer.  To have others read my writing and respond.  Through Hubpages and my blogs I am starting on the road to achieving another goal.  I need a job, a source of income to pay the bills I ran up supporting the education system!  Hopefully, I shall achieve another dream and I hope that Hubpages will be part of that too.

 So, do you agree?  Is Hubpages a useful tool?  Is it relevant and necessary?  How do you use Hubpages?  Please share your stories:)