Looking back at 2005, this blog has worked almost as hard as I have. I haven't done any hard figures, but about half of my income in 2005 has come as a result of people finding me via this blog, reading what I have to say, and getting in touch. That's pretty significant.

If you're self employed, and you're working in a field where a blog makes sense (IT, marketing, advertising, tailoring!?) and you don't have a blog, you might be missing out on doubling your income. Heck, even if you're in an industry which doesn't have a blog yet, it can make a massive difference, as EnglishCut (see above) has proven.

Almost all businesses, entrpreneurs, and independent workers I know with blogs have reported significant increases in business in 2005 and their blogs were a major part of it. Expect me to continue to leverage my blog to get interesting opportunities in 2006, but.. perhaps if you don't have a blog, you'd like to get in on the action?