Creating a blog is an excellent way to begin developing your "brand" and start managing your career. I've been speaking with several people recently about starting one. I truly believe any one can do this and have fun with it. There are some things to consider before testing the waters of blogging (and by no means am I the expert on this, just a practitioner sharing her thoughts.)
Why do you want to blog?
Do you want to blog because you want to create an online presence? Do you want to share your expertise? Do you like writing and are looking for a format in which to do this?
Do you care if anyone reads it?
In other words, is there an audience who would be interested in reading what you have to say? When I started, the only one I knew reading my blog was my Dad. He would send me emails critiquing my work. There were others who began to read it but few commented on the blog. It was like hearing crickets chirping and I wondered, "is this even worth it?"
How often will you add to your content?
There is no wrong or right answer here, however, the "experts" say that building a lot of content can increase your Google Search rankings.
What will you blog about?
This is probably the most important point. What is the "brand" or reputation you are trying to create for yourself? You want you topics to be "on brand" or related to the type of work you want to be known for. Sure, it is OK to go off-topic or off-brand once in awhile, but, if the purpose of blogging is to increase the awareness of you, I would recommend that you write about something that will promote you professionally.
How will you let people know about your blog?
You can add your blog to your LinkedIn profile. You can share your posts on some of your LinkedIn groups, you can put it on your business card and you can Tweet it. Just to let you know, I've seen a large increase in my readership since I started using Twitter. These two tools are very symbiotic.
If you are truly serious about taking your blogging idea to the next level, you will probably want to speak with people who are blogging. You will also want to read about blogging. Here are some of the resources that were recommended to me to help you learn more about blogging:
ProBlogger. This post on 5 Steps for Planning the Direction of Your blog is super!
The Blog Catalog
I would like to provide two additional thoughts about blogging:
- Blogging is supposed to be interactive. Ask for comments and feedback.
- Anyone can read what you've written, so be aware.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
